Ava Thompson

These Grinch cookies are so much fun to make with my kids, and the bright green color with a little red heart always makes us laugh. The soft, chewy centers and sweet, tangy finish are the perfect way to channel a little holiday mischief into something delicious.

These five appetizers are a total game-changer for your Thanksgiving spread, offering bold, unexpected flavors that will have your guests hovering around the kitchen island before the turkey even hits the table. From smoky-sweet bacon-wrapped dates to a creamy, spicy cranberry salsa, each bite is designed to wake up your palate and set the stage for the feast to come.

This ultimate 7-dish Friendsgiving menu is my go-to for a night of laughter and zero kitchen stress, built around a perfectly spiced, juicy roast chicken that steals the show. Each side is designed to be made ahead, so you can actually enjoy that first glass of wine with your chosen family instead of sweating over the stove.

This trio of buttery shortbread, chewy ginger molasses, and rich chocolate crinkle cookies comes together in under an hour with one simple dough base. I love that you can whip up a stunning holiday platter without spending all day in the kitchen, leaving you more time to enjoy the warm, spiced flavors with your family.

Every December, my kitchen transforms into a winter wonderland with the smell of these Rich 4 Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, which use four types of chocolate for an intensely fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cool, crisp crunch of crushed candy cane perfectly balances the deep cocoa richness, making this the ultimate holiday indulgence for any chocolate lover.

For as long as I can remember, the highlight of my holiday season has been the cookie swap, where the goal is to bring a batch so good it disappears before the punch bowl is empty. These eight recipes are my tried-and-true winners, each one delivering the perfect balance of festive flavor and impressive texture to make your swap tray the first one picked clean.

These adorable hand turkey cookies are the perfect way to get the kids in the kitchen, turning a classic Thanksgiving craft into a deliciously buttery sugar cookie. The best part is you get a festive, edible centerpiece that tastes just as good as it looks, with a soft, sweet crumb and a creamy frosting that everyone will love.

These buttery shortbread bars layered with tart cranberry jam and a creamy white chocolate topping are my go-to for Friendsgiving because they taste like a hug in dessert form. The best part is you can make them a day ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy the laughter and chaos with your favorite people.

This year, hosting Friendsgiving felt less like a chore and more like a celebration when I swapped the traditional turkey for these six epic, crowd-pleasing dishes. Each recipe is designed to maximize flavor while minimizing stress, so you can actually enjoy the laughter and warmth of your closest friends without being stuck in the kitchen.

I have a confession: I used to be intimidated by fresh cranberries, only pulling them out for a single sauce at Thanksgiving. But after years of experimenting, I’ve perfected these five brilliant recipes that transform their tart punch into sweet, savory, and surprisingly versatile dishes you’ll crave all season long.