Food & Drink
8 Holiday Cookbooks To Inspire You This Season
Offering something for every kind of celebration, let these clever cookbooks be your guide to dining, gifting and sipping your way through the festive season
Whether you’re craving warm, spiced drinks, slow-roasted meats, vegan treats or Christmas cookies that fill the kitchen with a magical scent, the season’s best cookbooks are packed with recipes that will turn your everyday December moments into all-out celebrations. They offer inspiration for bustling gatherings as well as quiet fireside snacking, with clever spins on classic comfort dishes and tipples for every mood – plus delicious gift ideas for the food aficionados on your list. Let’s dig in.
A Very Vegan Christmas by Sam Dixon
Self-taught food stylist Sam Dixon brings her baker’s instinct for texture and fun to A Very Vegan Christmas, a guide for anyone craving plant-based specialities at the holiday table. Dixon turns familiar favourites into modern crowd-pleasers, proving that a meat-free feast can feel as indulgent as the traditional spread. With more than 70 easy recipes, the book keeps things relaxed in the kitchen without losing any flavour. Think: a golden mushroom Wellington, a spinach-and-apricot wreath, or a citrusy orange pavlova. Add the moreish sides, like cranberry-sauce muffins and a savoury nut roast, and this book can be an asset to cooks of any diet.
Holiday Grilling by Christie Vanover
BBQ expert Christie Vanover brings her flame-first approach to the season in Holiday Grilling, a festive collection that proves cold weather is no excuse not to fire up the barbecue. Vanover, who’s also behind Girls Can Grill, turns traditional celebrations into smoky meals with tantalising depth, presenting decadent yet approachable dishes like prime rib with horseradish sauce, smoked turkey tips, double-smoked ham, apple-crumble pie and even flamed cocktails, alongside expert tips for grilling on any type of equipment. With superb photography, easy-to-follow steps and lots of recipes for every occasion, this cookbook keeps the coals – and the holiday spirit – burning bright.
12 Days of Christmas by The Hairy Bikers
Si King and Dave Myers, better known as the Hairy Bikers, bring their signature charm and no-nonsense kitchen instincts to 12 Days of Christmas, a guide that’s both practical and fun. They roll through the season’s greatest hits like creamy eggnog, honey-glazed gammon and a sharp, last-minute Christmas chutney, while slipping in clever ideas for edible gifts, leftover recipes and movie night snacks. Their decades of kitchen collaboration come to light in dishes that are relaxed, reliable and full of seasonal charm, making this a smart pick for anyone who wants to turn a busy December into something deliciously manageable.
A Literary Holiday Cookbook by Alison Walsh
Alison Walsh, known for her story-driven cooking on Alison’s Wonderland Recipes, brings a playful dose of magic to the table with A Literary Holiday Cookbook. Slip right into the most festive moments in classic literature, as Walsh turns well-loved fictional dishes into entirely doable four-course menus, complete with cosy sips and edible gifts. From a Little Women-inspired hot cocoa mix to Turkish delights straight out of The Chronicles of Narnia and, of course, a few sugar plums from The Nutcracker, it’s a charming pick for anyone who loves cooking as much as they enjoy curling up with a good book.
Christmas Baking by Joyce & Laura Klynstra
Christmas Baking serves up 100 – yes, 100! – recipes designed to make your home smell like Christmas morning all season long. Mother-daughter duo Joyce and Laura Klynstra have curated a selection that strikes the perfect balance between all-time favourites and creative concoctions. From mouthwatering treats like chocolate peppermint cookies and chewy ginger snaps, to international gems like Argentinian alfajores and Polish kolaczki, there’s something for every baker – whether you’re hosting a cookie swap or simply indulging at home.
Baking for the Holidays by Sarah Kieffer
Food blogger and baker Sarah Kieffer brings her warm signature style to Baking for the Holidays, a feel-good collection made for the sweetest time of the year. Famous for her viral “bang-the-pan” cookies and her bestselling baking books, Kieffer leans into pure comfort with more than 50 recipes built for brunch spreads, cookie snacks, homemade gifts and family gatherings. Featuring panettone scones, apple cider pie, chocolate gift cakes and candied citrus peels, her creations feel both simple and inventive, making seasonal baking seem more like a treat than a task.
The Art of Mixology: Making Spirits Bright by Parragon Books
From the creators of The Art of Mixology™, Making Spirits Bright lets you shake, stir and sip your way through the season. With recipes spanning cosy classics like eggnog and mulled wine, as well as inventive tipples like Mistletoe Martini, Merry Mai Tai and Jingle Juice, the book blends holiday tradition with playful experimentation, while clear instructions, smart tips and inspiring photography make it approachable for first-time mixologists. Alcoholic or non-alcoholic, modern or timeless, this collection turns any gathering into a spirited celebration and doubles as a clever gift for the host who has everything.
Winter Drinks by Ryland Peters & Small
The ultimate companion for chilly evenings, Winter Drinks offers over 75 recipes designed to soothe and warm you from the inside out. From Cinnamon and Clementine Hot Chocolate, to a Chai Tea Latte, Hot Buttered Rum and Benton’s Old Fashioned, this book balances comforting sips with stronger options sure to fortify you against the cold. Festive favourites like spiced eggnog, mulled wine and sparkling party cocktails (and mocktails) make it easy to add a little spark to any night, whereas simpler ideas, like an eggnog latte or an Irish Flip, render quiet moments by the fire even sweeter.
