RecipesMarinated Cheese This special appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear from the buffet table. It’s attractive, delicious—and so easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
RecipesStriped Chocolate Popcorn For a bake sale last year, I wanted to try something different. I’d seen chocolate popcorn in a candy shop and thought I’d try making it. This recipe was a great success. —Mary Schmittinger, Colgate, Wisconsin
RecipesEasy White Chocolate Party Mix I get rave reviews every time I prepare this crispy combination of cereal, popcorn, pretzels, nuts and candies. Coated in white chocolate, this mix is spectacular for parties and for gift giving. —Rose Wentzel, St. Louis, Missouri
RecipesPeppermint Patty Recipe Whip up some festive cheer in a flash! This peppermint patty recipe only has seven ingredients and comes together in just a few steps. It’s the perfect activity to do with kids!
RecipesCreme de Menthe Cream Puff Tree A tower of creme de menthe-flavored puffs makes a spectacular centerpiece for your dessert table. Guests will have this sumptuous pyramid deconstructed in no time at all! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
RecipesBlushing Grapefruit Sorbet Not overly sweet, this sorbet is a hit at the holidays, when there’s plenty of citrus fruit on hand. Try it as a light, summer refresher, too.—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
RecipesCheddar Cauliflower Quiche A dear friend shared this recipe one year when we both had an abundance of cauliflower from our gardens. My husband and I enjoy this so much that I make it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! —Tracy Watson, Hobson, Montana
RecipesRoasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey-Maple Vinaigrette This salad makes a beautiful presentation for the holidays with the bright colors of the sweet potatoes, cranberries and spinach. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
RecipesHoliday Lace Cookies It’s hard to stop eating these buttery cookies dotted with pecans and dried cranberries. I cherish this recipe from my mother. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
RecipesCranberry Pear Spinach Salad A few moments are all you need to toss together this pretty salad and tangy classic dressing. It’s a perfect way to round out holiday meals. —Anne Smithson, Cary, North Carolina
RecipesTraditional Chocolate Chip Muffins Muffins are one of my favorite things to bake, and these are the best. I always keep some in the freezer for breakfast on the run. I can zap one in the microwave before I head out the door. —Kelly Kirby Westville, Nova Scotia
RecipesPotato Souffle Everyday mashed potatoes become appealingly elegant in Kathy Kittell’s extra-cheesy souffle. “This casserole bakes up fluffy and golden-and makes a perfect company side dish,” she confides from her Lenexa, Kansas kitchen.
RecipesVegan Peanut Butter Cookies Even without butter or eggs, these vegan peanut butter cookies are still soft and chewy. No one will be able to tell they’re vegan! If you want a little extra texture, feel free to use chunky peanut butter or add ¼ cup crushed peanuts to the dough. —Katie Bandurski, Shorewood, Wisconsin
RecipesSweet Potato Coconut Pie with Marshmallow Meringue My grandmother’s sweet potato casserole contains coconut and marshmallows. I thought it would be even better as a pie. —Simone Bazos, Baltimore, Maryland
RecipesUltimate Scalloped Potatoes My husband found this recipe when I called and informed him we were going to have guests for dinner. This tasty variation on traditional scalloped potatoes is dressed up with garlic, Swiss cheese and Parmesan cheese. -Glenda Malan, Lake Forest, California