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An elegant spread of Christmas food, perfect for festive catering ideas.

Holiday Delights: 4-Step Festive Feast

This festive feast offers a delightful four-course experience, including a creamy cranberry pecan dip, a perfectly glazed spiral ham, savory maple bacon Brussels sprouts, and fun, customizable sugar cookies for dessert. It's designed for ease and enjoyment during the holidays.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • small bowl
  • serving dish
  • roasting pan
  • oven
  • baking sheet
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

For the Appetizer - Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Dip:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • Crackers or baguette slices for serving
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

For the Main Course - Glazed Spiral Ham:

  • 7-10 lbs pre-cooked spiral-sliced ham
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup orange juice

For the Festive Side - Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts:

  • 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

For the Holiday Treat - Easy Decorate-Your-Own Sugar Cookies:

  • 1 package pre-made sugar cookie dough
  • Festive cookie cutters
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Holiday sprinkles or edible glitter

Instructions
 

The Easy Appetizer - Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Dip

  • Combine softened cream cheese and cranberry sauce, stirring gently to create a festive swirl, then fold in chopped pecans.
  • Transfer the dip to a serving dish, garnish with additional pecans and a sprig of fresh rosemary, then refrigerate until serving with crackers or baguette slices.

The Stress-Free Main - Glazed Spiral Ham

  • Preheat your oven as per the ham package instructions and mix brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and orange juice to form a glaze.
  • Place the spiral ham in a roasting pan, pour half the glaze over it, and bake according to package directions, basting with the remaining glaze in the last 20-30 minutes.
  • Once cooked through and beautifully glazed, remove the ham from the oven, tent with foil, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

The Festive Side - Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), then toss halved Brussels sprouts and diced bacon with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
  • Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender-crisp, stirring halfway through, then drizzle with maple syrup and toss again before serving.

The Sweet Holiday Treat - Easy Decorate-Your-Own Cookies

  • Roll out pre-made sugar cookie dough, cut into festive shapes, and bake according to package directions; allow cookies to cool completely.
  • While cookies cool, whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract for the icing, then set out icing, sprinkles, and glitter for decorating.

Notes

The Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Dip can be prepared 1-2 days in advance. For the ham, remember to baste during the final cooking stage to ensure a rich glaze. Always let the ham rest before carving for optimal juiciness. Adjust seasoning for Brussels sprouts to your preference. Have fun with the cookie decorating – it’s a great activity for guests!