December Food Holidays

December is made for lingering in the kitchen. There are cookies to bake, cocoa to stir, candy to make, and holiday drinks to share. December Food Holidays celebrate the sweet traditions of the season, along with a few wonderfully oddball excuses to cook, bake, and gather around the table.

Jump to:

• December Food Holidays
• Featured December Food Moments
• Seasonal Produce in December

December at a Glance

• Most Popular: Christmas cookies, holiday candy, and festive drinks
• Best for Bakers: International Cookie Day, National Brownie Day, National Pastry Day, and National Bake Cookies Day
• Best for Dinner: National Comfort Food Day, National Green Bean Casserole Day, and National Pepper Pot Day
• Best Seasonal Produce: Pears, cranberries, citrus, winter squash, cabbage, kale, and root vegetables
• Don't Miss: International Cookie Day (Dec. 4), National Cocoa Day (Dec. 12), National Gingerbread House Day (Dec. 12), National Candy Cane Day (Dec. 26), and National Fruitcake Day (Dec. 27)

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Cook this Month

National Eggnog Month

Eggnog isn't just for sipping. Its warm spices and custardy richness are right at home in holiday baking, too. This tender Bundt cake gets a generous pour of rum glaze after baking for an especially festive finish.

TRY→

• Eggnog Bundt Cake with Rum Glaze

International Cookie Day

December is prime cookie-baking season, and chocolate crinkle cookies are always a good place to start. These flourless cookies bake up soft and fudgy inside, with a crackly coating of powdered sugar.

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• Flourless Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

National Cocoa Day (December 12)

A mug of hot cocoa is one of December's simplest pleasures, especially when there's something sweet nearby for dunking.

TRY→

• Mama's Homemade Hot Chocolate

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day (December 16)

Some December food holidays are wonderfully specific. This one gives us an excellent excuse to dip something sweet in chocolate. These homemade chocolate-covered cherries are a classic holiday treat with a soft, cherry-filled center.

TRY→

• Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries

National Candy Cane Day (December 26)

Once Christmas dinner is behind you, there's still plenty of holiday sweetness left to enjoy. Candy canes are good for more than hanging on the tree - they're also fun folded into holiday desserts.

TRY→

• Peppermint White Chocolate Bundt Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache

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Seasonal Produce in December (Pacific Northwest)

December's farmers markets may be quieter (or even on hiatus) in December, but there's still plenty of good eating in the Pacific Northwest. Winter brings crisp pears, hardy greens, cabbage, root vegetables, winter squash, and the bright citrus and cranberries that help carry us through the darker days. This is the season for roasting, braising, baking, and making the most of the sturdy produce that keeps well through winter.

👉 Not in the Pacific Northwest? Seasonal availability may vary where you live - check your local growing calendar for the most accurate list.

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Month-long Food Holidays

• National Pear Month
• National Eggnog Month
• National Fruit Cake Month

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Weekly Food Holidays

1st Week

• National Cookie Cutter Week
• World Pear Day (1^st Saturday)
• National Rhubarb Vodka Day (1^st Saturday)

2nd Week

• Lager Beer Week

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Daily Food Holidays

Must-try Days

If you only celebrate a few December food holidays, start with these favorites:

• December 4 - International Cookie Day → Flourless Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• December 9 - National Pastry Day → Orange Tea Ring (Danish Wreath)
• December 12 - National Cocoa Day → Mama's Homemade Hot Chocolate
• December 24 - National Eggnog Day → Eggnog Bundt Cake with Rum Glaze
• December 26 - National Candy Cane Day → Peppermint White Chocolate Bundt Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
• December 31 - National Champagne Day → Blushin' Russian (Cranberry Cocktail & Mocktail)

Looking for the complete list? Open the calendar below to browse every October food holiday and discover new ideas for what to cook this month.

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Top Picks for December

If you're saving a few recipes for the holiday season, start here. These are the festive favorites worth bookmarking for baking days, holiday gatherings, cozy nights at home, and everything in between.

• Cinnamon Roll Wreath (Danish Pastry Ring)
• Peppermint White Chocolate Bundt Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
• 35 Easy Christmas Candy Recipes
• Nuts & Bolts (The Original Chex Mix Recipe)
• Classic Hot Buttered Rum
• Spiced Cranberry Mule

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Explore More Food Holidays

Keep the inspiration going all year long:

• November Food Holidays
• January Food Holidays
• February Food Holidays

Save This December Food Holidays Calendar

Planning ahead? Save this calendar so you don't miss a single delicious excuse to cook this month.

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