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Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook
The spectacular all-in-one guide to Christmas cooking, decorating, and entertaining Perfect for all kinds of Christmas inspiration, Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook gives you everything you need to make the holiday sparkle-tasty recipes, entertaining essentials, decorating tips, and creative gift-giving ideas. Packed with hundreds of recipes for traditional dishes and creative new flavors, this comprehensive Christmas cookbook is chock full of great ideas. Special features help you tackle standards like roast turkey, while tips on decorating make the season bright. There is even a complete chapter on edible gifts_from cookies and candies to hot chocolate and jam.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
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293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 3, 2026
Easy Appetizers • Festive Cocktails • Make-Ahead Brunches • Christmas Dinners • Food Gifts
What you see here is what you, generally, get from this Christmas Cookbook.
"Add a Little Jolly to Your Holiday Cheer With a simple festive garnish, even water can look special. So don’t limit these just to boozy concoctions—garnishes are also great with hot chocolate, eggnog or even juice. • Edgy Sparkle: Use colored sugar, toasted coconut, sprinkles or even a coarse salt–seasoning mixture for savory drinks. Wet the glass edge by dipping it in water, or use a wedge of lemon or lime for sugar or salt rims. Or when using heavier sparkles like coconut or shaved chocolate, dip the edge in a heavier mixture like simple syrup (see below) or melted chocolate (see Elf-Tinis). • Frozen Beauty: Fill ice cube trays with berries, herbs or edible green leaves before adding juice or water. Or for a punch bowl, create an eye-catching ice ring; see Spiced Tea Punch (see recipe) for inspiration. It’s beauty and function, all in one! • Whipped Cream Fun: Spoon a dollop of whipped cream onto a drink, and then add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, candy sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Or freeze the whipped cream, and cut it into shapes with small cookie cutters (see Chai Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Cream). • Dazzle with Drizzle: Before pouring eggnog or light-colored drinks like milkshakes into glasses, squirt the inside of the glass with thick chocolate or caramel ice-cream topping to make interesting shapes (see Eggnog-Toffee Milkshakes)."
Lots of advice on how to prepare and entertain around the winter holidays. Plenty of photos of the finished products and clear instructions. Most of the “creations” are slight variations on standard recipes and few exotic ingredients are required. Enjoy!
What you see here is what you, generally, get from this Christmas Cookbook.
"Add a Little Jolly to Your Holiday Cheer With a simple festive garnish, even water can look special. So don’t limit these just to boozy concoctions—garnishes are also great with hot chocolate, eggnog or even juice. • Edgy Sparkle: Use colored sugar, toasted coconut, sprinkles or even a coarse salt–seasoning mixture for savory drinks. Wet the glass edge by dipping it in water, or use a wedge of lemon or lime for sugar or salt rims. Or when using heavier sparkles like coconut or shaved chocolate, dip the edge in a heavier mixture like simple syrup (see below) or melted chocolate (see Elf-Tinis). • Frozen Beauty: Fill ice cube trays with berries, herbs or edible green leaves before adding juice or water. Or for a punch bowl, create an eye-catching ice ring; see Spiced Tea Punch (see recipe) for inspiration. It’s beauty and function, all in one! • Whipped Cream Fun: Spoon a dollop of whipped cream onto a drink, and then add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, candy sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Or freeze the whipped cream, and cut it into shapes with small cookie cutters (see Chai Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Cream). • Dazzle with Drizzle: Before pouring eggnog or light-colored drinks like milkshakes into glasses, squirt the inside of the glass with thick chocolate or caramel ice-cream topping to make interesting shapes (see Eggnog-Toffee Milkshakes)."
Lots of advice on how to prepare and entertain around the winter holidays. Plenty of photos of the finished products and clear instructions. Most of the “creations” are slight variations on standard recipes and few exotic ingredients are required. Enjoy!
December 27, 2023
2.5 stars.
Some pretty photographs illustrate the recipes but that's about it.
Some pretty photographs illustrate the recipes but that's about it.
April 13, 2018
Well, that was a fast and generally unappetizing read.
I don't recall seeing this info in the book, but the Amazon website indicates that this is an "update" from the original Betty Crocker Christmas book from the 1960s-1970s. This explains why I kept going back to double and triple check the copyright after looking at pictures that looked like they came from some blog about retro bad food. Lots of casseroles, stuffed things with parsley sprinkled on them, salads with canned mandarins or pudding, etc. I remember a lot of this stuff from church potlucks in the 70s, aka the decade when pouring grape jelly into a crockpot of frozen pre-made meatballs was considered swank and cooking.
There are a few OK-looking recipes in the entree section, but nothing that hasn't been seen a hundred times before and in more interesting variations. The criteria for the collection seemed to be that it had to be "cute" in some way (little tree shaped cheese balls) or contain red/green ingredients, or be flavored with eggnog, bacon or cream cheese. I like bacon. I like eggnog. Bacon does not belong in eggnog.
The Betty Crocker Kitchens started as a test kitchen to develop recipes for Gold Medal Flour. You know, back when people actually baked with ingredients instead of mixes for everything. Oddly, I didn't see much mention of Gold Medal in this collection, but it does read like an advertisement for Bisquick. (Bisquick, the Miracle Whip of baking mixes....in that both are disgusting and make everything they touch disgusting.) The recipe for Easy Gingerbread cookies starts with one pouch Snickerdoodle cookie mix and one pouch Gingerbread cookie mix. There are three other ingredients, one of which is water. That's not a recipe; it's an ad for cookie mixes.
Absolutely nothing in this that made me want to take it into the kitchen.
I don't recall seeing this info in the book, but the Amazon website indicates that this is an "update" from the original Betty Crocker Christmas book from the 1960s-1970s. This explains why I kept going back to double and triple check the copyright after looking at pictures that looked like they came from some blog about retro bad food. Lots of casseroles, stuffed things with parsley sprinkled on them, salads with canned mandarins or pudding, etc. I remember a lot of this stuff from church potlucks in the 70s, aka the decade when pouring grape jelly into a crockpot of frozen pre-made meatballs was considered swank and cooking.
There are a few OK-looking recipes in the entree section, but nothing that hasn't been seen a hundred times before and in more interesting variations. The criteria for the collection seemed to be that it had to be "cute" in some way (little tree shaped cheese balls) or contain red/green ingredients, or be flavored with eggnog, bacon or cream cheese. I like bacon. I like eggnog. Bacon does not belong in eggnog.
The Betty Crocker Kitchens started as a test kitchen to develop recipes for Gold Medal Flour. You know, back when people actually baked with ingredients instead of mixes for everything. Oddly, I didn't see much mention of Gold Medal in this collection, but it does read like an advertisement for Bisquick. (Bisquick, the Miracle Whip of baking mixes....in that both are disgusting and make everything they touch disgusting.) The recipe for Easy Gingerbread cookies starts with one pouch Snickerdoodle cookie mix and one pouch Gingerbread cookie mix. There are three other ingredients, one of which is water. That's not a recipe; it's an ad for cookie mixes.
Absolutely nothing in this that made me want to take it into the kitchen.
May 10, 2019
The short of it is: I'm glad to have this holiday cookbook. I come back to it time and time again because I now have several favorite recipes that always come out perfect and impressive.
That being said, it's not a perfect book. I gave it five stars here on Goodreads but that's not meant as an indication of perfection. Some of the recipes need heavy tweaking to work. I've written in changes on several pages--especially ingredient alterations and instruction additions--and even then, it feels like a few recipes are just duds because so many changes are needed to make the end result acceptable.
Most recipes are fine though, of the many I've tried over the years, indeed a great number of them are excellent and some have even become holiday staples for me and my lot. Despite its shortcomings, this cookbook is one I go to regularly, not just during the holidays, but any time I'm looking to make something special for the special people in my life :)
That being said, it's not a perfect book. I gave it five stars here on Goodreads but that's not meant as an indication of perfection. Some of the recipes need heavy tweaking to work. I've written in changes on several pages--especially ingredient alterations and instruction additions--and even then, it feels like a few recipes are just duds because so many changes are needed to make the end result acceptable.
Most recipes are fine though, of the many I've tried over the years, indeed a great number of them are excellent and some have even become holiday staples for me and my lot. Despite its shortcomings, this cookbook is one I go to regularly, not just during the holidays, but any time I'm looking to make something special for the special people in my life :)
December 7, 2010
You have probably heard of Betty Crocker cookbooks, but did you know there was a Christmas cookbook? Each recipe from cover to cover is deliciously festive. Including meals, desserts, appetizers, snacks, holiday beverages and more easily a hostess can find many things to make and share. There are even directions for some decoration crafts! The photography is very inspirational and full of ideas to fill any hope with Christmas Holiday cheer!
Through out the recipes there are also included "New Twist" that give some extra tips and tidbits for variety or meatless and so on. This really is a holiday cookbook for most everyone. I'm delighted to add it to my shelf.
*Thanks to Wiley for providing a copy for review.*
Through out the recipes there are also included "New Twist" that give some extra tips and tidbits for variety or meatless and so on. This really is a holiday cookbook for most everyone. I'm delighted to add it to my shelf.
*Thanks to Wiley for providing a copy for review.*
December 2, 2010
Fabulous!
There are lots of fantastic recipes for every level of cook / chef. I copied a lot of things for my personal use. There are recipes for food, beverages, gifts and more!
There are even decorating recipes for non-food stuff such as the "Jolly Snowman Wreath", "Holiday Garland", centerpieces and much more!
The color pictures are beautiful and help illustrate what the finished product should (might) look like.
A gem of a [soft cover] cookbook that would make a fine gift ($19.95) for anyone!
Or, like me, you could just go borrow it from your local library!
There are lots of fantastic recipes for every level of cook / chef. I copied a lot of things for my personal use. There are recipes for food, beverages, gifts and more!
There are even decorating recipes for non-food stuff such as the "Jolly Snowman Wreath", "Holiday Garland", centerpieces and much more!
The color pictures are beautiful and help illustrate what the finished product should (might) look like.
A gem of a [soft cover] cookbook that would make a fine gift ($19.95) for anyone!
Or, like me, you could just go borrow it from your local library!
December 20, 2024
A very useful cookbook for Christmas time
This is a very useful updated Betty Crocker cookbook that provides the home cook recipes for any Christmas occasion, whether it be a cozy night at home or a family gathering for Christmas dinner. Each recipe includes nutritional information and tips for making it more festive and, if applicable, ahead of time. The book is divided into sections, i.e. appetizers, breads, brunches etc. that makes it very easy to follow. The index is much appreciated and something that is missing from some newer cookbooks. I loved the section on Brunches and can’t wait to try out some of the recipes. Although the theme of the book is Christmas, most of the recipes included could be made as is or adapted for any season or occasion.
This is a very useful updated Betty Crocker cookbook that provides the home cook recipes for any Christmas occasion, whether it be a cozy night at home or a family gathering for Christmas dinner. Each recipe includes nutritional information and tips for making it more festive and, if applicable, ahead of time. The book is divided into sections, i.e. appetizers, breads, brunches etc. that makes it very easy to follow. The index is much appreciated and something that is missing from some newer cookbooks. I loved the section on Brunches and can’t wait to try out some of the recipes. Although the theme of the book is Christmas, most of the recipes included could be made as is or adapted for any season or occasion.
December 31, 2019
Needs pictures for all the recipes. Plenty of classics and new twists to enjoy!
Some highlights:
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Wings with Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Mango-Ginger Snowdrift Mimosas
Cinnamon Roll Pancake Stacks /Apple Crisp Pancakes
Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry Sauce
Cider-Brined Pork Loin Roast
Spicy Cherries Jubilee Ham
Gorgonzola and Mushroom Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce
Chocolate-Filled Russian Tea Cakes
Dulche de Leche-Coffee Dipped Pears
Some highlights:
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Wings with Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Mango-Ginger Snowdrift Mimosas
Cinnamon Roll Pancake Stacks /Apple Crisp Pancakes
Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry Sauce
Cider-Brined Pork Loin Roast
Spicy Cherries Jubilee Ham
Gorgonzola and Mushroom Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce
Chocolate-Filled Russian Tea Cakes
Dulche de Leche-Coffee Dipped Pears
December 18, 2021
I'm getting desperate to reach my goal of 100 books in 2021, so I'm sticking in a cookbook. I didn't actually read this word for word, but I did look it over carefully and made copies of several recipes.
This is a nice book, with lovely pictures (a must for a cookbook, in my opinion). Several new ideas for some standard favorite recipes.
Yes, I'm cheating a bit, but since I'm not working with kids now, I can't count the numerous children's books I read in the last few years.
This is a nice book, with lovely pictures (a must for a cookbook, in my opinion). Several new ideas for some standard favorite recipes.
Yes, I'm cheating a bit, but since I'm not working with kids now, I can't count the numerous children's books I read in the last few years.
December 13, 2021
I didn't see any recipes that I would try but this cookbook is full of menus, kitchen tips, make ahead ideas and more. There's a nice mix of recipes that are fully homemade and ones that have Bisquick or something similar. It offers flexibility for whatever level of home cook you are.
November 19, 2017
fast, tasty crowd-pleasers. not gourmet but definitely tasty!
December 8, 2020
Basic, easy recipes. Most have ingredients that most of us have and a short list of ingredients. I enjoyed making the chocolate fudge sauce.
December 31, 2025
One of the two cookbooks I used as my 2025 Christmas cooking bible. These recipes are tested and easy to make. I highly recommend it for your next holiday baking.
Happy Cooking! 🍪👩🏻🍳
Happy Cooking! 🍪👩🏻🍳
December 28, 2016
3.5 a lot of good party food and some good alternatives to the turkey or ham question.
November 26, 2012
This is an older cookbook, but it is one of the best Christmas cookbooks on our shelves at the Marathon County Public Library. Every recipe is easy to follow and the pictures alone will put you in the Holiday mood. The last chapter includes holiday decorating and homemade gift giving ideas that anyone can make and give. Put on some holiday music, open up the cookbook and enjoy the season.
Paula L. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
March 16, 2009
This is such a great cookbook to have around the holidays. It has cute ideas about decorating and family traditions, as well as recipes I only use around the Holidays, so I don't have to try to worry about remembering them from one year to the next. And the recipe for homemade carmels is perfect. It is exactly how I remember it growing up, without a lot of steps and ingredients other cookbooks call for.
October 13, 2011
This had a nice variety of holiday-themed recipes, but the sheer amount of sweets highlighted in this cookbook was the polar opposite of the recipes included in the two cookbooks I just finished reading, both of which promoted healthy eating. But if you're looking to add something new to your holiday repetoire, I'd definitely look through this book for ideas - it has plenty of them!
Want to read
March 9, 2011The Borders by our house is closing so they are selling everything at various discount prices. All the Christmas books, dvds and cds were 75 percent off. I bought this book for $4.99. What a bargain. I was happy to see it has received some good reviews.
December 15, 2015
This cookbook is filled with delicious recipes, not only for Christmas Day but for parties held around the holidays. There are appetizers, lots of cookies, and some delicious drinks, both with and without alcohol. I'm sure this is a Cookbook I'll turn to again and again over the years.
September 8, 2007
This had all our favorites, and added some new ones.
December 14, 2009
A ton of great easy old fashioned recipes. This cookbook is worth having.
December 1, 2010
A nice cookbook, with updated favorites and appealing offerings. I copied many of the recipes to try. Includes a section on food gifts and holiday decorations.
Want to read
August 11, 2012I can only imagine...
Can Christmas get any better?!
Can Christmas get any better?!
September 13, 2013
has some colorful recipes in it and some of them actually turn out like the pictures that are in the book.
December 13, 2013
another wonderful new addition to my cookbook shelf (ok shelves!)
Still nothing like a beautifully illustrated cookbook to scour and "read" ...
Still nothing like a beautifully illustrated cookbook to scour and "read" ...
November 29, 2014
I've used this cookbook for years (had it for years) and it is my go-to cookbook for the holidays. Love the "Spiced-Orange Tea Mix."
December 31, 2016
Nothing spectacular. A lot of easy recipes that were holiday themed. I didn't find anything I wanted to try though.
October 29, 2023
Just perfect for the holiday season!!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews