It's time for apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice to take a backseat: Christmas desserts with peppermint and spiced eggnog recipes are here to shine. Festive food gets us in even more of a holiday mood than we're already in, and you really can't decorate your space or watch a holiday movie marathon without some sweet treats, can you? Get ready to yank your baking supplies out of the pantry at least once or twice this holiday season. Here are festive desserts that will make you excited to get dusted with flour and sugar.
Christmas Desserts To Make Your Holiday Magical
Vegan Mini Chocolate Pies with Pecan Caramel
Mini pies are the perfect Christmas dessert because they're hand-held and they're bite-sized, and these feature chocolate, pecan, and caramel flavors (some of our favorite holiday picks!). Plus they're vegan, which just makes us love them even more. (via Brit + Co)
Easy Puppy Chow Recipe
You probably already have everything you need for this DIY recipe. Peanut butter (or another nut butter), chocolate chips, Chex cereal, butter, and powdered sugar. The red and green candies are just a bonus! (via Brit + Co)
The Best Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies are so good, they don't really need any embellishments, but would it really be a Christmas party without reindeer cookies?! Save a few to leave out for Santa, too ;). (via Brit + Co)
Oreo Red Velvet Cheesecake
If you love red velvet and you love cheesecake, then this is the dessert for you. The crust, cheesecake filling, and whipped cream come together beautifully so that every bite you take is better than the last! Plus, the oreos on top are the perfect finishing touch. (via Brit + Co)
Paleo Christmas Cookies
Cookies will never be totally healthy, but there are definitely ways that you can make them healthier. Just make a note that the dough needs to sit overnight before you can bake them so keep that in mind when making for friends and family! (via Brit + Co)
Eggnog French Toast
Have breakfast for dessert when you add eggnog to your French toast batter. It adds just the right amount of spice to the recipe and makes it creamy and smooth. (via Brit + Co)
Sweet Chai Latte Cupcakes
Turn your favorite morning beverage into a sweet treat with these cupcakes. The flavors and spices make for the perfect holiday season dessert. (via Brit + Co)
Peppermint Macarons with White Chocolate Ganache
Find a new way to enjoy the minty flavor of peppermint with this macarons recipe. Covered in white chocolate, it's a nod to the traditional French pastry. (via Brit + Co)
Chocolate Pumpkin Tart with Gingersnap Crust
Move over white chocolate ganache because this pumpkintart is ready for its turn in the spotlight. We love that the gingersnap crust helps balance the rich taste of dark chocolate. (via Brit + Co)
Puff Pastry Apple Roses
These roses look good enough to eat because they are edible! It's the one time you'll enjoy stopping to smell the roses. (via Brit + Co)
Vegan Apple Cake
If puff pastry apple roses feel like too much of a lite dessert, you'll want to keep this vegan apple cake recipe handy. (via Brit + Co)
Baked Hot Chocolate Doughnuts
We have a *major* sweet tooth for anything that involves gooey chocolate, so combining our love of doughnuts and hot chocolate sounds like a dream come true. (via Brit + Co)
Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Cups
Take a break from traditional Christmas desserts and make candy recipes instead! Who knows, someone may request that you make frozen chocolate peanut butter yogurt cups for their birthday next year. (via Brit + Co)
Eggnog with Sugared Rosemary
Who says desserts have to be food? This sweet drink is a classic Christmas dessert, whether you're decorating the tree or curling up for a movie night. Our favorite detail is definitely the sugared rosemary. (via Brit + Co)
Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes
If regular slices of cheesecake are too rich for you, try these mini bite-sized options for your next get-together. They're a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet, and just the right amount of creamy. (via Brit + Co)
Even Santa Will Want A Bite Of These Christmas Desserts!
Peppermint Bark Cannoli
You just can’t get through the snowy season without indulging in some sweet and cool peppermint bark. No surprise, it's amazing in cannolis. (via Sugar and Cloth)
Image via Mott's
Mott's Gingerbread Cups
These lil cups are a fun, festive, and fabulous treat to make with and for your little ones — or for anyone else, frankly! Just look how cute they are! (via Mott's)
Rum and Eggnog Bundt Cake
We like big bundts and we cannot lie; a slice of this, we can't deny! Flavored with rum and eggnog, this luscious cake is slathered with a generous coating of eggnog cream cheese icing that will make your tastebuds sing. (via Liv for Cake)
Eggnog Cheesecake Brownies
With creamy eggnog cheesecake swirling into fudgy goodness, these brownies will make even eggnog naysayers fall in love with the soft and chewy bites. (via A Cookie Named Desire)
Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake
We know you’re thinking it because we’re thinking it — be still, my heart! This rich, minty, and chocolatey cake is dripping with glaze and topped with crushed candy canes. Can you say flavor bomb? (via Two Peas and Their Pod)
Champagne Donuts With White Chocolate Glaze
One of the best things about donuts is they can be enjoyed as both a dessert *and* as a sweet breakfast option. The Champagne-infused dough and white chocolate glaze create the ultimate holiday treat. (via Sugar and Cloth)
Gluten-Free, Paleo Apple Tart
With the ultimate combo of apples and cinnamon, this lovely, healthy-ish tart won’t last long at the dessert table. (via Simply Recipes)
Apple and Mincemeat Filo Wreath
This swoon-worthy recipe stuffs crisp apples and mincemeat into a flaky filo pastry, resulting in complete dessert heaven. Adorned with cranberries and drizzled with custard, this treat is guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday party. (via Domestic Gothess)
Mexican Wedding Cookies
These tiny snowballs are slightly salty, nutty, buttery, and downright delish. (via Two Peas and Their Pod)
Cranberry Dark Chocolate Biscotti
We hope you’re ready for additional caffeine, because you’ll be brewing an extra cup a day just for an excuse to dip and devour these beauties. Totally addicting, these munchies are packed with nuts and cranberries and drizzled with chocolate. (via Pinch of Yum)
Homemade Marshmallows
Storebought marshmallows will never taste the same after you make these. Dip them in chocolate or add them to your hot cocoa for a truly decadent treat. (via The Real Food Dieticians)
Eggnog Panna Cotta With Spiked Cranberry Sauce
Silky smooth panna cotta may seem like a summery dessert, but when made with eggnog and topped with orange liqueur-spiked cranberry sauce, it's completely festive. (via Sprinkle Bakes)
White Christmas Sparkle Cake
If you prefer snowflakes and twinkly lights to bright red and green decorations, you'll love this fluffy vanilla almond cake with cream cheese frosting. (via How Sweet Eats)
You Won't Believe How Tasty These Christmas Desserts Are
Meringue Christmas Wreath Cake
But if you do love colorful decorations, opt for this wreath cake, decked out with nonpareils and candy canes. (via Sprinkle Bakes)
Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Instead of rolling out dough to make individual cookies, bake up these bars, and have fun making your own sprinkle design on top. (via Averie Cooks)
Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies
It truly isn’t the holidays without some jam-filled thumbprint cookies to munch on. Though a berry jam is most commonly used, the choice of this orange jam is brilliant. (via The View From Great Island)
Christmas Tree Mousse Cups
You don't have to be an artist to make an adorable tree-shaped dollop of mousse in these chocolate cups. (via My Life Cookbook)
Peppermint Cream Puffs
Bite-size cream puffs are the ideal treat, and with a light peppermint ganache and festive sprinkles, they're holiday-ready. (via Best Friends for Frosting)
Chocolate Peppermint Mousse
We love how fluffy mousse is, and this Christmas dessert (which only needs four ingredients, FYI!!) mixes in peppermint extract for the perfect seasonal flavor. Add some crushed candy canes on top for an extra cute detail. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Funfetti Christmas Cake Roll
Don't be intimidated by the cylindrical shape; this colorful cake is both easy to bake and easy to roll up while hot. (via Passion for Savings)
Italian Pear Cranberry Tart
If the cranberry sauce at your Thanksgiving dinner didn’t satisfy your cranberry needs, this festive tart will. Fresh cranberries are piled into a shortbread crust over a luscious layer of almond cream, and it’s kind of the best thing ever. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)
We'd Recommend These Christmas Desserts To Everyone
Viennese Crescent Cookies
Popular in Austria, these melt-in-your-mouth Christmas cookies are a simple blend of hazelnuts, butter, and powdered sugar. (via Leite's Culinaria)
Mincemeat, Marzipan, and Apple Bread Wreath
Filled with mincemeat, marzipan, and apricot jam, this impressive buttery wreath is packed with flavor. And since it's fruity, you can get away with eating it for breakfast. (via Domestic Gothess)
Sugar Cookie Chocolate Crème Brûlée
Have more Christmas cookies than you know what to do with? Use them to top these velvety, chocolate-rich crème brûlées. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
If you want to get real fancy, haul out your bundt cake pan and try this recipe. The patterned cake looks even more impressive when laden with a shiny glaze. (via The View From Great Island)
Tahini Brownies
If you can't handle full-on sweetness, try these brownies that mix in some tahini for a nutty flavor addition. The flaky salt on top adds an edge that you do not want to miss out on. (via Forks and Foliage)
Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms
Is there a better duo than chocolate and peanut butter? These blossoms feature creamy peanut butter and dark chocolate chips for a rich, smooth take on the classic combo. (via rachLmansfield)
Olive Oil Orange Cake
This citrusy, just slightly olive-oily cake will brighten up your winter diet, and the touch of Grand Marnier makes it taste extra-elegant. (via Averie Cooks)
Sugar Dusted Donut Christmas Tree by Chef Genevieve LaMonaca
For this delicious Christmas dessert, roll 60 (3lbs) white donut holes in 2.25oz green sugar sprinkles, then cover a 5.5 x 13.5 in foam cone in plastic wrap. Insert your toothpicks (you'll need 60) into the foam, then push donut hole on the toothpick. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Add 1/2 cup peanut M&M’s to fill holes to resemble Christmas ornaments. Top with gold star cupcake topper. Cover with saran wrap until ready to use. Make up to 3 days ahead of time!
Follow us on Pinterest and check out our online baking classes for more festive Christmas desserts.
This article has been updated from a previous post.
Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston, Dana Sandonato, and Chloe Williams.
My S.O. will probably tell you that I randomly belt out, "Baby you're a firework" several times a day because I can't get enough of the way Katy Perryactively encourages people to b their full selves. It's something she strives to do in her career and personal life as evidenced by her public relationship with the actor Orlando Bloom. Yes, the same man who deliciously played Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and Will Turner in The Pirates of the Caribbean.
Now that I'm done catching my breath, it's recently occurred to me that these two are still in the wedding planning stage despite getting engaged all the way back in 2019. I'm certainly not knocking it, but I thought it'd be fun to revisit their relationship timeline to see how their love story began. Let's get into all things Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom!
Katy Perry And Orlando Bloom's Relationship Timeline
Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images
January 2016
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom met in 2016 while attending an afterparty once the Golden Globes ended. Per People, the “Firework” singer bonded with an American Idol contestant and excitedly shared how her paths crossed with Orlando. “So I had my security guard grab 10 In-N-Outs and all of a sudden I see my boyfriend’s hand — he wasn’t even sitting at our table — he just swoops in and he grabs it and I was like, ‘Hey that my burger,’” she recalled.
Orlando later revealed a little more about that moment when talking to The Times in 2018. He revealed he wasn’t really aware of her work before meeting her.
February 2016
Things apparently went well for the two because Orlando didn’t waste time introducing Katy to he and Miranda Kerr’s son Flynn. A source revealed to Peoplethat the two attended the birthday party of Robert Downey, Jr.'s son at the time.
"They were laughing, playing music and joking around with Flynn...Katy looked very comfortable at the kids party," according to the source.
May 2016
Right before the summer of 2016, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom announced their relationship via Instagram. As evidenced by her caption, “We cannes’t,” the couple were enjoying the bliss of being in Cannes, France at the time.
August 2016
One half of this lovely duo was spotted in the nude during another vacation and it’s an understatement to say the pics went viral. While Katy chose to don a bikini, Orlando decided to let loose — literally — and those sneaky paparazzi captured him in all of his glory.
He told Elle UK in 2017, “We’d been completely alone for five days. Nothing around us. There was no way anyone could get anything. So I had a moment of feeling free.”
Image via Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
February 2017
Sadly the couple broke up in 2017 and this caused their reps to release a statement to People in order to control any narratives that may have stemmed from it. “Before rumors or falsifications get out of hand, we can confirm that Orlando and Katy are taking respectful, loving space at this time,” the statement said.
Two sources gave different reasons for their split, but E! News reported that an insider said, "...they did discuss a future together during their relationship. They had an enormous amount of love for one another."
Despite their breakup, Orlando Bloom insisted there wasn't anything horrible about their breakup in his Elle UKinterview. "It's good. We're all grown-up. She happens to be someone who is very visible, but I don't think anybody cares what I'm up to. Nor should they. It's between us. It's better to set an example for kids and show that [break-ups] don't have to be about hate"
April 2018
Time does heal wounds in some instances because Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom were seen spending more time together again. The singer shared an Instagram photo of them greeting Pope Francis and showing their support for The Cura Foundation with her fans.
September 2018
By the fall of 2018, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom were definitely an item again. They appeared on their first red carpet together at The Global Ocean Gala and looked stunning. Elle even reported the two took a picture with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
December 2018
In a hilarious turn of events, Katy Perry found herself winning a date with Orlando Bloom after she outbid an eager fan during the One Love Malibu Festival charity auction. A fan account on Instagram shared a video of the Katy saying, "You can do a motorcycle ride with him to a lunch destination to have lunch with Orlando freaking Bloom. That also means that when you are on the motorcycle with him you’re holding him in a way that I am not excited about."
Honestly, same Katy.
Image via Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton
February 2019
The pair must've joyfully rang in the New Year in 2019 because they Katy happily took to Instagram to give fans a close-up look at her engagement ring from Orlando. She wrote, "full bloom" as her caption so there was no mistaking that she and Orlando were taking their relationship to the next step.
Katy opened up about how his proposal went when she appeared on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp a few months later. "It was Valentine's Day...[Orlando]'s, like, clean-shaven. He's not wearing tennis shoes. I was like 'Ah, sh*t, something is going down,'" she happily shared.
March 2019
They moved in together right after getting engaged and this seemed to work better for everyone. A source told People, "Since they are engaged, it was just a natural step for them to live together."
June 2019
It wasn't long before people began wondering what Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's wedding plans were, but the two have never been in a rush to walk down the aisle. Instead, Katy had this to say during an appearance on KISS Breakfast With Tom & Daisy: "One step at a time. Definitely trying to lay the good emotional foundation for the lifetime of commitment, which is like a big deal"
August 2019
Orlando shared Katy's sentiments and reiterated them when he stopped by the Today show in 2019. He told Willie Geist, "It’s important to me that we are aligned — I’ve been married and divorced and I don’t want to do it again..."
Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
December 2019
While the couple were never in a rush to have a wedding, they ultimately decided to push things back as reported by US Weekly. A source told the outlet, "They changed the timing due to the location they want," and that makes sense. Planning a wedding often involves making sure venues, caterers, and more will be available during the time a couple is thinking about getting married.
February 2020
Things carried on as usual for the couple with Katy sharing a snapshot of the two on Instagram a couple of months later. They were celebrating a year of being engaged and her caption reads, "one year ago I said yes to a life of love and evolution... and definitely never a dull moment 😜."
March 2020
The next month is when Katy Perry revealed that she and Orlando were expecting their first baby together! She shared a brief video clip of her single "Never Worn White" on Instagram and basically let fans know she was pregnant. It's hard to miss her soul-deep smile and glow.
April 2020
The video for "Never Worn White" seemed to hint at the gender of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's baby, but the singer officially confirmed it on an Instagram post promoting her single "Daisies." She wrote, "🌼 The first single from #KP5 is called #DAISIES and she’s coming MAY 15, 2020 🌼," in her caption and the crowd went wild!
Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Variety
August 2020
Later that year, UNICEF posted a photo of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom holding their newborn's hand on Instagram to announce she'd arrived. The organization told fans via their caption that the couple were overjoyed about their daughter's birth. "We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter," the organization shared in its caption.
Orlando couldn't help but gush over his little girl during a brief virtual appearance for The Ellen Show. He said, "...she sort of looked like a bit like my mum so then I got a little bit confused because Katy's breast feeding this mini-me/my mum/who’s she going to look like next."
January 2021
And when Katy Perry performed during Joe Biden's inauguration, Orlando was right there cheering her on! He gleefully shared a BTS clip of her on Instagram and wrote, "One day our little girl will grow up and see her mother play her part in a moment in history that we hope will heal, we hope will unite, we hope, we love ❤️ One proud partner here with a tear of joy 🇺🇸🎆🙏." BRB, I have to grab tissues.
September 2021
When Katy Perry accepted a prestigous award at Variety's Power of Women in 2021, she gave a heartfelt message that spoke of the two greatest loves in her life — Orlando Bloom and their daughter Daisy. "....[Orlando] an incredible father [and] an example to our greatest gift ever, our daughter Daisy — a future powerful woman. I pledge to you to do my best to be an example of one, to never put limits on your dreams, to lead with love, never through fear, and to always be your lighthouse in any darkness..."
January 2022
Orlando also showed his support for Katy when she was in Las Vegas for her residency. He shared a goofy picture of him BTS with her on Instagram and wrote, "There’s a new act on the #vegas strip @katyperry so proud of you. Let’s all go#play 🍄🚀 HNY❤️," as his caption.
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
May 2022
Appearing on Chelsea Handler's podcast Dear Chelsea, Katy got real about her and Orlando attending therapy together. "We love it because it keeps us in tune...and so when you want to come back to being normal in a domesticated world where you have a child and stuff like that, you have to really learn how to be kind of different out there in the big and in the small," she said.
We love a couple who attends therapy together!
February 2023
Orlando also revealed to Flaunt that things can be challenging for the couple. He said, "Her pool is not a pool that I necessarily understand, and I think my pool is not a pool that she necessarily understands. Sometimes things are really, really, really, challenging. I won’t lie. We definitely battle with our emotions and creativity."
April 2024
Now here we are in 2024 and the blushing couple are still very much in love. They attended the 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Event earlier this month and look elegant in their black-tie outfits.
As far as their wedding plans are concerned, Katy Perry shared what she plans to do once she leaves American Idol. Per Parade, she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and said, "I think this probably will be my last show, my last season forIdol. I mean, I love Idolso much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat."
She didn't explicitly talk about when she's getting married to Orlando bloom but we'll cross our fingers for a beautiful wedding either this year or in 2025.
Do you think Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are getting married soon? Let us know in the comments and follow the conversation on Facebook!
Lead image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Variety
Whipping up Christmas dinner for your squad this year? If it's your first time hostessing, there's no need to panic. You can scour the internet for holiday kitchen tips and embark on a house-cleaning frenzy — or you can take comfort in the simple fact that good food creates full bellies and happy people, and that's the only goal you need to meet. Kick back with a plate of Christmas cookies and a mug ofhot chocolate; here are 37 comforting Christmas dinner ideas and recipes from appetizers to desserts that will take the headache out of building your dream holiday dinner menu.
Christmas Food Ideas Starting with Appetizers
Bacon Pastry Twists With Beer Cheese Dip
While cradling a cocktail in one hand, an easy-to-grab appetizer is essential. These flaky, cheesy bacon twists are both easy and delicious to dunk in a three-cheese beer dip. (via Brit + Co)
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Bites
A red-and-green holiday treat without sugary sprinkles? Count us in. These phyllo shells are filled with whipped pesto cream cheese and topped with basil and sun-dried tomatoes for some yummy Christmas food. (via Well Plated by Erin)
Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls with Rosemary Skewers
These cranberry goat cheese balls are the perfect balance of salty and sweet — a definite crowd-pleaser for any Christmas dinner! (via Chef Genevieve)
Holiday Crostini Trio
Spread avocado, mascarpone, and provolone onto toasted baguette slices for a tasty appetizer, and top away for three versatile holiday food ideas that will please any palate at your holiday party. (via The Baking Fairy)
Honey Almond Baked Brie
Add this this gooey, sweet, and salty baked brie to your Christmas dinner menu and guests will gather around it like it's a fireplace on a cold day. (via The Seasoned Mom)
Holiday Recipes for Side Dishes
Sesame Shrimp Puffs
The seafood lover in your home will be elated to munch on these sweet and umami-rich (thanks to oyster sauce) sesame shrimp, blanketed in buttery puff pastry. You'll definitely want to add this dish to your best Christmas recipes list. (via Brit + Co)
Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin
This savory combination of sage, Gruyère cheese, and heavy cream is here to make sweet potato casserole even more indulgent. This is definitely one of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas ;). (via Brit + Co)
Healthy Butternut Squash Salad
Fill your guests' bellies with the seasonal flavors of butternut squash, apple cider, and pecans. The bacon is just the icing on the cake, so to speak. (via Brit + Co)
Romanesco Christmas Trees With Parmesan Snow
Turn romanesco into snow-capped trees with just six ingredients in this healthy yet cheesy dish for your next party. (via Brit + Co)
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Nothing will warm you to your toes quite like a good soup, and whipping one up in the slow cooker can save you time, mess, and energy. This French onion creation is a perennial favorite. (via Brit + Co)
Waffle Iron Latkes
These latkes make the perfect addition to any multi-cultural celebration, and the best part is how easy they are! From an apple butter topping to pomegranate and Greek yogurt, there's something for everyone. (via Brit + Co)
Cornmeal Biscuits With Cheddar, Chives, and Jalapeños
These slightly spicy biscuits are ideal for soaking up all that gravy goodness. (via Brit + Co)
Taco Salad
Okay, you might be thinking "Why in the world would someone serve taco salad at Christmas?" But hear me out! This recipe is full of delicious veggies, and it's just brimming with color. Keep things red and green to stay festive, or go all-out with every color of the rainbow. (via Brit + Co)
Crispy Leaf Potatoes With Rosemary, Butter, and Salt
If ever there were a bulletproof case for buying a mandoline slicer, it's these potatoes, which are sliced chip-thin, layered upright in a baking dish, and gloriously bathed in salty rosemary butter. (via Rasamalaysia)
Pumpkin Curry
If you're looking for vegan Christmas recipes, look no further than this warming, insanely delicious, and seasonal pumpkin curry. Just leave out the fish sauce to make it fully plant-based! (via Brit + Co)
5-Ingredient Christmas Salad
A complicated salad is the last thing you need to worry about when picking out Christmas dinner recipes. This palate-cleansing dish is simply butter lettuce, pomegranate seeds, and a white wine vinaigrette. (via My Kitchen Love)
Main Dishes to Enjoy With Family
Classic Roast Turkey
If you're tasked with cooking the bird this holiday season, look no further than this foolproof roast turkey recipe. (via Brit + Co)
Beef Short Ribs With Vegetables
Image via Baldacci Family Vineyards
Make a statement with a delicious short rib recipe that's cozy, filling, and features an unbelievable wine sauce. Everyone will be talking about it until next Christmas. (via Brit + Co)
Cranberry Glazed Turkey
Cranberry Glazed Turkey
Make your turkey extra-special with a delicious cranberry-pomegranate glaze everyone is sure to adore. (via Brit + Co)
Roasted Chicken with Carrots
For a Christmas dinner or otherwise, every home cook needs a roast chicken recipe in their back pocket. Start with this step-by-step recipe, which shows you how to stuff, truss, roast, and baste the bird until juicy and golden brown. (via Simply Recipes)
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Loin With Apple and Rice Stuffing
This dish combines a classic holiday side with a crowd-pleasing main, and it's wrapped in prosciutto for a show-stopping finish. (via Well Plated by Erin)
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Pasta doesn't get enough cred when it comes to holiday recipes, but nothing's cozier than a delicious bowl of warm tortellini. Except tortellini soup, that is (via Half-Baked Harvest)
Four-Cheese White Lasagna
This vegetarian lasagna-ravioli hybrid is made a little unconventionally, making it a great Christmas meal idea. Instead of neatly layering pasta sheets and cheese, fold a little bit of cheese into each individual pasta sheet, then layer haphazardly for a rustic look. (via Simply Recipes)
Roast Beef Tenderloin With Mushrooms and White Wine Cream Sauce
This melt-in-your-mouth holiday meal is cooked in one pan in under an hour. Sauté mushrooms in an oven-safe skillet, put the beef on top, roast, rest, and make a cheesy, herby cream sauce with the pan drippings. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Turkey Roulade With Apple Cranberry Stuffing in a Bacon Weave
This dish is all about texture, from the crispy bacon coat to the tender turkey in the middle and soft stuffing interior. This is one Christmas dinner recipe you won't want to miss out on. (via Boulder Locavore)
Dessert Christmas Recipes that are Delicioso
Keto Eggnog
Got guests who are committed to the low-carb lifestyle? This keto eggnog is the perfect dessert to serve the carb-conscious. (via Brit + Co)
Peppermint Bark
This easy peppermint bark recipe is so simple to make, you'll have plenty of time on your hands for more ambitious endeavors — like cooking the turkey. (via Brit + Co)
Holiday Puppy Chow
Your go-to sweet treat gets a festive upgrade when you add in red and green candy! Bonus points if you have a red or green bowl to put it in ;). (via Brit + Co)
Jacques Torres' Chocolate Chip Cookies
No surprise here: the secret to Torres' high-quality chocolate chip cookies is high quality ingredients, like butter, flour, and chocolate. Letting the dough age for 24 hours and sprinkling it with sea salt at the end doesn't hurt either. (via Brit + Co)
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
When it's your first year hostessing, the simpler you can keep your Christmas dinner recipes, the better. That's why we're huge fans of these 3-ingredient vegan Christmas cookies. (via Brit + Co)
Baked Hot Chocolate Donuts
Donuts are an all-purpose treat that can serve as Christmas breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This baked hot chocolate-inspired version doesn't require any special tools to make and is uber delicious. (via Brit + Co)
Dulce de Leche Cream-Filled Churro Donuts
These six-ingredient donuts, made with biscuit dough, have a cinnamony exterior and a rich dulce de leche filling that pairs wonderfully with Mexican hot chocolate. (via Brit + Co)
Eggnog French Toast
Another recipe you can serve as a Christmas dinner or brunch is this sweet French toast. The secret to nailing that 'nog flavor is the nutmeg and vanilla combo. Yum. (via Brit + Co)
Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa Christmas Dessert Idea
Give your oven and your plates a break and add this dairy-free hot chocolate to your easy Christmas dinner menu, or enjoy with Christmas waffles! Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, and let the gadget do the rest for you. (via Brit + Co)
Champagne Ice Cream
This egg-free, celebration-worthy holiday dinner idea gets its creaminess from cream cheese and, better yet, its booziness from sparkling wine. (via Brit + Co)
Cinnamon Roll Pecan Pie
We call this pie holiday crack for a reason (or two): the pie crust is made of mini cinnamon rolls and the pecan filling is buttery on the verge of illegal, which definitely makes it one of our favorite holiday dishes. (via Brit + Co)
Easy Spiced Hot Fruit Bake
Hear that? That's a scoop of ice cream begging to top this sweet tray of apple, pear, cranberry, pineapple, and gluten-free dessert. (via Cotter Crunch)
Check out our New Year's Eve dinner ideas for more inspo, and take a peek at our cooking and baking courses and newsletter for more recipes!
Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston and Paige Johnson
I love looking at Zillow listings as much as the best of us, but absolutely nobody loves daydreaming about all the outrageously beautiful (and costly) houses for sale more than my mother-in-law. She finds the most gorgeous gems across the country, saving them all for when she inevitably wins the lottery (if anyone would, it's her TBH) and can take her pick of the housing litter. Instead of gatekeeping these jaw-dropping homes, I had her send them my way so I can share them with you! So without further ado, here are 15 of most insanely stunning — and insanely expensive — Zillow houses for sale right now.
Beach Houses
Image via Zillow
East Hampton Beach Cottage
Cost: $44,500,000
The Hamptons are known for their clean, chic shingle architectural style, and this "cottage" is no exception to that. And while I absolutely adore the inside of this home, it's the grounds that really get me at the end of the day. Think about all the beautiful backyard dinner parties you could throw!
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Destin Beach House Destination
Cost: $4,100,000
Who needs a time share in Destin when you could own all this?! This airy, beautiful house takes coastal home style to the next level. I love the sandy, earthy tones paired with the light blues and open space. And for less than 10% of the Bridgehampton beauty above, this is basically a steal, right? 😉
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Marvelous Marco Island Getaway
Cost: $5,450,000
I vacation on Marco every year with my in-laws, but I can PROMISE you our one-bedroom timeshare (that I love) isn't anywhere near this stunning super home. Swipe through photos to see how gorgeously staged this multi-million dollar home is — I promise it won't disappoint!
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Laguna Beach Beauty
Cost: $21,500,000
Obviously Laguna Beach is known for so much more than the hit MTV show, but I can't untangle the two. So in my mind, this is the home Lauren Conrad's parents worked on in Season 1 Episode 1 — a $20+ million dollar stunner that I would later stare at on Zillow. It's not true, but wouldn't it be fun?
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California Dream House
Cost: $55,000,000
Not only is this a dream house because of how it looks, but also because I could only afford this in my literal wildest dreams. Unless someone decides to discover me on the New York streets for the funny, talented gal my parents think I am, this is strictly a mood board manifestation moment. (But, what if?!)
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At Home In The Hamptons
Cost: $79,995,000
Oh, how I could wax poetic about this $80 million Bridgehampton beauty. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Ya know...the one I would love to have in this very house? Just lounging, living luxuriously? That imaginary inheritance I daydream about could reaaaaaally come in handy right about now.
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Fantastic Florida Beach Cottage
Cost: $9,950,000
In case you can't tell, none of these homes are "cottages" outside of their aesthetic. While this six bedroom, four bathroom may look humbler than the rest, the cost should indicate what we're working with here. Each room is so perfectly curated, and to have all this right in the heart of Naples is absolutely everything. I could see myself sitting by that fire for SURE.
Condos & Townhouses
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Gorgeous Georgetown Condo
Cost: $5,495,000
DC is more than just Capitol Hill, and this Georgetown Condo proves it! The natural light, the natural wood accents, and the big, airy rooms make this home a welcomed reprieve in on of the busier U.S. cities. And while you're getting a lot in a small package (three bedrooms for $5+ million...😭), you're really paying for the neighborhood. Georgetown really is full of beautiful townhouses, great restaurants and bars, and overall good vibes.
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Upper East Side Excellence
Cost: $65,000,000
Hello, Upper East Siders...Zillow Girl here! All jokes aside, this $65 million townhouse is giving all the old money luxe that Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf would settle into quite nicely. The molding, the wraparound staircases, and the sheer size alone are something else, but the biggest surprise here? TEN BATHROOMS. TEN!!!!!!
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Totally Airy Brooklyn Townhouse
Cost: $6,950,000
Good new, girls! This totally killer townhouse had a $300,000 price cut last month, bringing it to...just under $7 million! While I try to fix my eye twitch after writing that, scroll through to see the gorgeousness that is this literal mid-century modern four-story home. It's like a little (big) oasis in the middle of the big city!
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Beautiful Turn-Of-The-Century Brooklyn Townhouse
Cost: $6,995,000
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Carroll Gardens in my dream neighborhood. It's got all the Brooklyn charm with its brilliant brownstones, lively dining scene, and tree-lined streets. Plus, it's so incredibly close to Prospect Park for all your summer strolls with the kids or the dogs or yourself or whomever! And while I could go on and on about the location, the townhouse itself is kitschy with it's mix of classic and modern details.
Mountain And Lake Houses
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Charming Wyoming Ranch House
Cost: $8,199,000
It feels a little silly to call a nearly $10 million home "charming," but here we are. This modern ranch-style mountain house looks unassuming from the outside. And the four-bedroom inside is really nice, too, don't get me wrong. But what really makes this worth it, if I had to guess? The freaking VIEW. Can you imagine sipping your coffee and staring off into that horizon every morning? Yes, please. I would like one of these.
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Cozy North Carolina Castle
Cost: $7,500,000
Ah yes, nothing cozier than a literal castle-sized house in Appalachia. In all seriousness, the dark wood accents give you that almost cabin-esque feel that the mountain range so obviously calls for. With 10 bedrooms, this is the perfect retreat for your family get-togethers! You can enjoy each other's company across the estate, or you could...find a little hiding spot and nobody would know the wiser. 😉
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Sante Fe Getaway
Cost: $3,375,000
The most affordable of the bunch, this single-story Sante Fe residence is a dream-come-true! You've got lake views, trails, and even a golf course if that's your thing! My personal favorite part of this lovely little home, however, is the wine cellar. Can you imagine being like, "Yeah, just go grab a bottle from the wine cellar"?! Like I said, dream-come-freaking-true!
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Lovely Michigan Lake House
Cost: $3,649,000
The windows alone are enough to make this house the dreamiest escape, let alone the private and super exclusive access to Lake Michigan. This home may only have three bedrooms and four bathrooms, but each room feels intentional, spacious, and utterly luxurious. I'd definitely dip my toes in that water!
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Sequels that are just as good, if not better, than the original movie are one in a million, but if you ask me, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement definitely tops the list. Anne Hathaway brings a whole new spunk and adultified sass to the freshly 21-year-old Mia Thermopolis, and Julie Andrews shines as Queen Clarisse! (Both on the karaoke stage and off ;)). Not to mention the movie also gave us the blueprint for contemporary enemies to lovers: Nicholas and Mia!
While Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes wasn't involved with the first movie, she was the writer for the second — and TBH, that's definitely a reason it's so good!
Image via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
"I thought [Princess Diaries 2] would be a really fun thing to do and it turned out to be great," she tells Variety. "I always think it's funny now because I'm working with Julie Andrews now on Bridgerton, but I also spent time writing her as a queen in that movie, and so it was kind of great to get to work with her both times. It's also sort of come full circle in a weird way."
Shonda Rhimes goes on to explain one cut scene she remembers really fondly — and how Andrews' expert performance made it even more heartbreaking to cut. "That was pretty much one of my favorite scenes," she says. "It was this moment where Julie Andrews [has] had her heart broken, and some staff comes in and they start to ask her a question and she screams, 'Do I never get a moment to myself?!' and it was such an amazing moment the way she played it, and the elegance with which she did it. It's really about the pain of being a queen."
"She did it so well," Rhimes continues. "But in general, honestly, she's the nicest person you will ever meet and she was so nice to me, I was nervous to meet her, I was shaking, [but she's] so lovely."
After Julie Andrews sent the sweetest graduation gift to a fan, I'm not surprised to hear how incredible she is. I still have my fingers crossed that we'll see Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries 3 — and that Shonda Rhimes will return as screenwriter.
What's your favorite scene from the Princess Diaries movies? The mattress surfing scene in Princess Diaries 2 is definitely one of the best movie moments of all time. If you're feeling nostalgic, check out 6 Nostalgic Movies That Feel Like Summer Vacation!
Lead image via Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista