The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without candy canes hanging from the tree. They are also tucked into stockings. Candy canes take the starring role in all our favorite sweet treats! With these recipes you can enjoy the beloved Yuletide flavor in cakes, cookies, cocoas and more.
Our Best Peppermint Recipe Ideas
No flavor gives us that nostalgic holiday feeling, quite like peppermint. One bite of a candy cane-inspired dessert transports us to childhood. Even better is one that uses candy canes in the recipe. So, every year, when holiday baking season rolls around, we make sure to add peppermint treats to our lineup. We always include a few of them. From festive cookies and batches of fudge topped with crushed candy, there is something for everyone. Holiday cocktails infused with peppermint flavor are also included in this roundup.
The combination of white peppermint bark atop a chocolate cookie base equals the ultimate holiday treat. This big-batch recipe is ideal for cookie swaps, festive parties or even wrapping up as gifts. It is also easy enough for baking with the whole family. Instead of forming individual cookies, you break the giant sheet into pieces, just like you would with traditional bark.
These easy Christmas appetizers are the perfect way to kick off your holiday party. This collection includes our best recipes for festive dips, skewers, bites and more.
Need Christmas party food ideas in a pinch? Kick off your festivities with these easy and impressive Christmas appetizers that will wow any crowd. Whether it’s Christmas Eve snacks or one-bite holiday snacks for an impromptu get-together, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll offer all the classic options for Christmas appetizers and party foods, from elegant bite-sized nibbles to crowd-pleasing dips and savory pastries. If you’re looking for more holiday inspiration, check out these ideas for Christmas dinner and easy Christmas desserts, plus the Taste of Home team’s complete Christmas dinner planning guide.
A recipe for chili nachos is excellent when the weather turns brisk and you need something fast and filling. A mashup of traditional chili con carne and the standard queso nacho dip, our excellent chili filled with ground beef, pinto beans, spices and creamy Velveeta easily feeds a crowd.
Serve this cheese chili nachos recipe over crunchy corn or tortilla chips, on grilled hot dogs or in a bowl with cornbread. Kick up or tone down the spice, or add vegetables to make it your own. Anything goes! Cheese chili nachos is an ideal game-day potluck recipe—just keep the chili warm in a slow cooker for weekend tailgating. Or, prep chili nachos for movie nights in the backyard, barbecues and other fun gatherings.
Ingredients for Chili Nachos
Ground beef: Use the type of ground beef you prefer. After browning the meat, drain it well so you don’t end up with a greasy chili base.
Tomato sauce: Three cans of tomato sauce give chili nachos a wonderfully saucy base with a hint of sweetness.
Pinto beans: Our cheese chili nachos recipe uses two cans of pinto beans. Pinto beans are a bit plumper and creamier in the center than other chili beans like kidney beans.
Canned diced tomatoes and green chiles: This made-in-Texas ingredient is a chili must-have. Rotel is the standard brand many cooks use, but you’ll likely see multiple brands of this popular canned item at the store.
Envelopes of chili mix: Not to be confused with the spice blend “chili powder,” chili seasoning mix combines spices made specifically for chili and similar dishes. It may contain a thickener like flour or cornstarch to help thicken your chili, and it has a concentrated amount of herbs and spices meant to flavor an entire batch of chili.
Velveeta: You could very well call this recipe cheese chili nachos due to the plentiful amount of Velveeta. It’s the not-so-secret ingredient that gives this chili its irresistible cheesy, creamy, luscious texture and consistency.
Heavy whipping cream: Along with Velveeta, heavy whipping cream adds a creamy richness and velvety feel to this chili.
Corn chips: Corn chips are the “nachos” in this chili nachos recipe. Salty and full of sweet corn flavor, corn chips make an awesome crunch against the smoothness of the creamy chili.
Optional toppings: While optional, sour cream, sliced jalapeno and lime wedges tie all the flavors of our chili together for the ultimate finish. Skip the jalapeno if you don’t need the extra heat.
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 