Better Homes and Gardens

Ever since I made homemade Nutella, I haven't been able to get the delicious combination of chocolate and hazelnuts out of my mind. That's why, when I found this spectacular-sounding cake recipe, I knew it must be served at Christmas dinner.

Both the batter and the frosting have Nutella, and chopped toasted hazelnuts add a lovely texture and crunch to the cake. The best thing about this recipe is that the entire cake can be assembled up to three days in advance — you just have to make room for it in the fridge!

Interested in the decadent recipe? Get it, after the jump.

I'm hosting Christmas dinner for the first time this year, and I want to serve a meal that is traditional but uncomplicated to make. To start, I'll offer my signature appetizer: shrimp. This time I'm salt-roasting them and pairing them with a lemon-pesto.

For the main course, I'm skipping the honey-baked ham and roasting a whole beef tenderloin. It's served alongside a roasted red pepper and black olive sauce. On the side? Fresh citrus and cranberry salad and a giant casserole dish of classic macaroni and cheese. Interested in these recipes? Keep reading!

Here's an affordable and fun holiday party idea: invite friends over for decadent appetizers, then take a tour of the bars in your neighborhood. Instead of serving a bunch of food and drinks all night, you just have to make enough for each guest to have a couple bites and one-to-two rounds of drinks. For an easy spread of sweets, fill small bowls with red and green M&Ms and Hershey's Kisses.

Also offer a quick and uncomplicated make-ahead dessert, like the three-layer no-bake bars seen here. The bottom layer is a crumbly mixture of graham crackers, sugar, and cocoa powder. The creamy middle is a combination of vanilla pudding mix, milk, and powdered sugar. The top is a rich glaze of dark chocolate.

Made in a large casserole dish, this dessert is an ideal option for a potluck. Interested in the looking at the recipe? Read more.

It doesn't matter what kind of party you're hosting, be it a brunch, dinner, or cocktail party, you should always offer dessert. Why? Because no soirée is complete, especially during the holidays, without a sweet finish! For a holiday open house where guests will be coming and going at different times, set out a platter of chocolate mint divinity. Divinity is a nougat-like confection that's made with egg whites, corn syrup, and sugar. With the addition of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes, this variation is a Christmasy twist on the classic divinity.

Prepare it up to three days in advance and store at room temperature. To check out the recipe, keep reading.

Since Hanukkah happens early this year, why not kick start your holiday season by hosting a quick and easy cocktail party on Friday or Saturday evening? Offer classic and delicious bites in the form of homemade and store bought appetizers. Crispy zucchini and potato latkes are a must; the recipe featured here is ideal for entertaining because you make one giant latke and cut it into pieces for serving.

A day in advance, puree a big batch of mushroom soup. Reheat before the soiree and fill small bowls or shot glasses with it. For the final homemade component, set out platters of crunchy toasts slathered in rich onion spread. Supplement these dishes with smoked salmon, an assortment of your favorite cheeses, and nuts or olives from a local market. To look at my recipe recommendations keep reading.

Normally when I plan Thanksgiving dinner, I'm inspired by faraway places and exciting cooking methods. However this year, I'm embracing local ingredients and tried-and-true techniques. It's a meal that highlights my love for San Francisco and the surrounding areas. We'll begin with a messy but decadent appetizer: cracked Dungeness crab with horseradish mayonnaise.

Since the weather is still gorgeous, the turkey will be grilled to a succulent and smoky perfection. As for the sides? Raw kale and avocado salad is unexpected; sourdough bread stuffing with celery and mushrooms and make-ahead baked mashed potatoes (made with butter and milk from my hometown creamery, Clover) round out the menu. Interested in these recipes? Read more to check them out.

Since vegetables are the new meat, this year on Thanksgiving, why not serve an entirely meat-free meal?! The holiday can be just as delicious without the turkey. Start with an easy but luxurious appetizer: gorgonzola crostini drizzled with honey and sprinkled with chopped nuts. For the first course, offer a velvety, make-ahead pumpkin soup that's garnished with crunchy sweet potato chips and tangy sour cream.


Although there's no meat, the main course should still be a showstopper, so go all out with roasted vegetable cornucopias with homemade gravy. A tender green salad with champagne vinaigrette completes the meal. Get the recipes for this wonderful menu, after the jump.

Tiring of the Fall soup-and-stew rotation already? Turn to a meal that's worthy of your attention and excitement, especially since it's ideal for everything from an impromptu get-together to a casual night in.

Roast red and yellow peppers, fennel, and Winter or Summer squash of your liking with herbs until fork-tender, then transform them into the center of attention by giving them a balsamic-and-vinegar treatment and a puffy crust.

The final product is cheaper than a galette you'd pick up from a comparable French bakery. For the recipe, read more.

For a Southern-inspired Thanksgiving, don't just serve ordinary pumpkin pie for dessert, instead offer pumpkin chess pie. Although it has no relation to the game of chess, this luscious custard pie has origins in England and roots in the South. It normally consists of eggs, butter, and sugar, but this recipe stirs in pumpkin puree. The thing that makes a chess pie different from other custard pies is the addition of cornmeal to the batter. Classic chess pie can be somewhat sweet, so pair it with coffee or a crisp sparkling Moscato. Get the recipe when you read more.

Before a weekend of World Series watching and Halloween candy binging, take tonight to savor a simple and healthy seafood meal. This quick recipe combines fresh salmon fillets with a lemon-dill pan sauce. A bunch of sautéed broccoli on the side adds a pop of color and nutritious vitamin K. For a complete meal, serve on top of a bed of couscous. Get the uncomplicated recipe, after the jump.