Holidays/37 recipes

Russian tea cakes (also called Mexican wedding cookies): buttery nut-studded shortbread balls rolled twice in powdered sugar. A classic holiday cookie tin staple in 30 minutes.

Honey spice ball cookies rolled in oats with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and a tablespoon of honey. Crackle-topped holiday cookies ready in 30 minutes.

Cranberry chutney with orange, apple, raisins, walnuts, ginger, and cinnamon. A fruity, spiced condiment that's ready in 30 minutes. Great for holiday turkey.

A rich Baltimore-style eggnog spiked with brandy, rum, and Madeira wine, shaken with egg and cream, then dusted with fresh nutmeg. Scales easily from a single cocktail to a 30-serving holiday punch bowl.

Crunchy candied pecans coated in brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Made in the microwave in just 30 minutes for easy holiday snacking or gifting.

Melt-in-your-mouth butter pecan cookies dusted in powdered sugar. Just 5 ingredients, no eggs, and ready in 30 minutes. Shape them into crescents or balls for a snowy holiday cookie tray.

Colorful ham kabobs with pineapple and bell peppers, basted in a tangy cranberry glaze spiked with mustard and cloves. A smart way to use leftover holiday ham in just 30 minutes.

Easy toasted pecans coat halves in melted margarine, oven-toast them golden, then finish with a salt sprinkle. Three ingredients, snackable in under 30 minutes, holiday gift jar ready.

Soft chocolate drop cookies packed with maraschino cherries and topped with a glossy chocolate frosting. Buttermilk keeps them tender. Makes 4 to 5 dozen in about 30 minutes, so they're built for holiday cookie trays and bake sales.

Raisin-spice cookies made with oatmeal cookie mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, raisins, and chopped nuts. A quick drop cookie with warm holiday spices that makes four dozen in under 30 minutes.