270 cheery recipes

Fruit cake cookies loaded with candied cherries, candied pineapple, white raisins, and pecans with brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Holiday baking in cookie form.

No-beat chocolate fudge with semi-sweet chocolate, marshmallows, walnuts, and candied cherries. Just stir, pour, and set. Makes three pounds of rich, smooth fudge for holiday gifting.

Brandy-fermented friendship cake made with a homemade fruit starter of pineapple, peaches, and maraschino cherries. A beloved sharing tradition where each batch creates starters for friends.

Smoked salmon with Irish brown soda bread, mixed greens, capers, and cherry tomatoes. A classic appetizer plate served with lemon, butter, and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Baked curried fruit casserole with pears, peaches, pineapple, apricots, and cherries layered with slivered almonds in a buttery brown sugar curry glaze. A retro holiday side dish that's best made a day ahead.

Persian-style pilaf with basmati rice, red lentils and sour cherries perfumed with turmeric and cumin, finished with a buttery golden crust. A sweet-tart, aromatic side or vegetarian main with real character.

Enjoy a hot summer day with this delicious drink made from bananas, mango juice and a bit of rum.

Friendship fruit starter ferments pineapple, peaches, apricots, and cherries in brandy and sugar for three weeks. A boozy heirloom base for cakes, ice cream, or gifting.

A loaded spinach and romaine salad with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and finely chopped crispy bacon, dressed simply in olive oil and red wine vinegar. Big, fresh, and crowd-friendly.

Southern lemon fruitcake with pecans, raisins, candied pineapple, and maraschino cherries. Light, golden, and lemon-forward, the alternative to traditional dark fruitcake.

French pear tart with almond frangipane, kirsch-soaked apricot glaze, and vanilla-poached pears. Crushed macaroons fold into the pastry cream for chewy depth, finished with green pistachios.

Red wine-marinated venison cubes threaded on skewers with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, and small potatoes, then grilled over medium heat. A hearty wild game kebab that feeds a crowd.

A homestyle Christmas cake packed with dates, cherries, walnuts, and chocolate chips in a simple egg batter. Bakes into a dense, fruity loaf that wraps up beautifully for holiday gifting.

A 5-ingredient dump cake layered with crushed pineapple, cherry pie filling, chocolate cake mix, pecans, and butter. No mixing, no bowls, no excuses not to bake tonight.

Classic Southern congealed salad with lime Jello, marshmallows, crushed pineapple, pecans, cherries, and cheddar cheese. A retro potluck favorite that never goes out of style.

Grilled swordfish skewers loaded with cherry tomatoes, asparagus tips, and roasted shallots, then basted in fresh basil herb butter straight off the grill.