There is little left to say goodbye to 2022 as millions prepare to welcome the new year. families gather around the table to share a Christmas dinner and roll into 2023 with warmth and cheer. European traditions mingle with North American celebrations as households finish shopping and prep for New Year’s Eve, hoping to make the night truly memorable with a standout Christmas menu.
In both Spain and North America, year-end gatherings center on food, friends, and festive conversations. Some people choose a restaurant celebration, while others bring the party home, turning the kitchen into a stage for a bold, surprising menu that delights guests and their palates with holiday flair.
Christmas is a perfect moment for those who love cooking to showcase their skills. Yet New Year’s Eve often carries a gentle challenge compared with Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Many home cooks want to impress with stellar dishes, yet ideas can run dry when planning the first course and the grand finale. The good news is that the cook can usually dare almost any dish, especially when the goal is to surprise and delight guests.
With that in mind, this article offers clear steps for preparing desserts that will wow guests and elevate the holiday table.
Simple homemade polvorones that will wow at the table
Polvorones are a beloved, crumbly treat that can steal the show with the right technique. Here is a straightforward recipe to craft polvorones at home.
Polvorones: homemade recipe
Ingredients for homemade polvoron: 400 grams of flour, 200 g lard, 250 g powdered sugar.
Preparation of homemade polvorones:
Begin by spreading the flour on a tray and heating it in a moderate oven until it gains a light golden color. Don’t let it darken too much, or the cookies may crumble too easily.
Remove the tray and allow the flour to cool. In a small saucepan, melt the lard over low heat. When liquid, stir in the cooled flour until evenly combined.
Stir in 150 g of powdered sugar and remove the pan from heat. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and cohesive. A food processor can be used if preferred to speed up the mixing process.
Let the dough rest for 25 minutes, then lightly press and roll it to form small spheres. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 120ºC and bake for about 30 minutes, until gently firm but not darkened.
Enjoy the baked polvorones once cooled; their delicate texture makes them a perfect finish for a festive menu.
Polvorones often appear on Christmas tables across many households. They pair beautifully with coffee or tea, and their crumbly bite provides a comforting counterpoint to richer dishes.
How to make French toast in the microwave
One quick option for a speedy dessert is custard-topped French toast cooked in the microwave. This approach yields a warm, comforting dish in minutes.
Torrijas with custard recipe
Ingredients for custard French toast (serves 4): 1 loaf of bread, 2 tablespoons milk, 50 g sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon instant coffee, vanilla essence, oil.
Custard: 500 ml milk, zest of 1 lemon, 80 g sugar, 2 egg yolks, 15 g cornstarch, 1 teaspoon butter.
How to prepare custard French toast:
Cut the bread into slices. In a saucepan, warm the milk with sugar and vanilla until just about to boil, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. Dip the bread slices into the warmed vanilla milk until they absorb some liquid, then dip in beaten eggs and fry briefly in hot oil. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.
Boil half a liter of milk with lemon zest, sugar and butter. Whisk anise with egg yolk and cornstarch until smooth, then add to the hot milk mixture. Return to the heat and whisk constantly until the custard thickens. Remove from heat and let cool. Serve the custard spooned alongside the warm torrijas for a creamy finish.
This custard-topped French toast makes an elegant finish when plated with care.
Easy and healthy Christmas canapés for the holidays
Canapés add sparkle to any holiday table, offering bite-sized indulgence that pairs well with drinks and conversation. The following chocolate-based canapé is simple yet impressive.
chocolate chest
Ingredients for a chocolate chest canape (serves 4): 250 g chopped walnuts, 2 eggs, 200 g fondant chocolate, 1 lemon, 1.5 glasses sugar, 1 small glass cream, powdered sugar, butter.
To make the chest, lightly grease an elongated mold with butter and set aside. Beat 250 g butter with sugar until fluffy. Mix in the egg yolks, lemon juice, and walnuts. Fold in beaten egg whites till they hold their shape without collapsing the mixture.
The finished cream can be poured into the mold and chilled until firm. Melt the chocolate in a microwave, then blend it with the cream until smooth. Once the dough firms in the fridge, unmold onto a serving plate. A quick trick is to dunk the mold in hot water for a moment to release the shape. Spread the chocolate cream on top, create decorative grooves with a fork, and finish with a light dusting of sugar for a glossy finish.
How to bake panettone at home using common kitchen appliances
Panettone brings a festive aroma to any gathering. The recipe below is designed for home kitchens with accessible ingredients and straightforward steps.
panettone recipe
Ingredients for panettone: yeast, a cup of flour, milk, 4 eggs, 2 yolks, 150 g butter, raisins, chocolate chips, orange zest, hazelnuts, sugar.
Step-by-step homemade panettone:
Start by warming water in a bowl, add yeast, and stir until dissolved. Add a cup of flour, mix, and let rest for 30 minutes.
Warm milk in another bowl and mix in another portion of yeast. Let sit for ten minutes. In a larger bowl whisk four eggs and two yolks with sugar. Stir in milk-yeast mixture and blend until smooth. Dice the butter and add to the flour with a pinch of salt, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Combine the dough with the egg mixture and continue kneading until well combined and elastic. Add the chocolate chips, orange zest, nuts, and raisins; knead again to distribute evenly. Place the dough in a greased bowl and let rise for about two hours. Shape into a loaf, place in a buttered mold, cover with a cloth, and rest for another hour. Bake in a preheated oven, first at 210ºC for 15 minutes, then reduce to 170ºC and continue for about 45 minutes until golden and cooked through. This panettone captures the celebratory spirit of the season and fills the home with a rich aroma.
Banana Ice Cream Containers
Ingredients for 4 people: 4 bananas, 4 scoops vanilla ice cream, 4 scoops strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, and caramel sauce.
Banana split is a classic treat for gatherings. Prepare four glasses and chill them in the freezer. Pipe whipped cream with a curved tip, add a scoop of each flavor of ice cream, and arrange a whole peeled banana in each glass. Finish generously with more whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel. If desired, top with sliced strawberries and a few wafers for a decorative finish.