From coast to coast, the Betty Crocker Test Kitchen experts have their “spoon” on the pulse of the most exciting, surprising and delicious trends this holiday season. Making home for the holidays even more memorable, the experts have revealed their annual top 10 Red Hot Holiday Trends, as well as recipes to help you bring these trends to life in your own kitchen. From deconstructed desserts to unexpected mash-ups, copycat candy to cool cocktails, and even a fresh take on fruitcake, your home (and plates, bowls and glasses) will be full of trendy takes on traditional favorites.
“Whether you’re having a party or just enjoying time with loved ones, our red hot trends and recipes make it easy for you to create memorable holidays at home this year,” said Kristen Olson, Senior Food Editor, Betty Crocker Kitchens. “You can shake up some Cherry Jam-hattans at cocktail hour, serve an ‘Around the World’ cheese ball flight to give party guests a taste of global flavors, or spend a fun afternoon making DIY cookie trees and holiday memories with your kids.”
Try This At Home: Red Hot Holiday Trend Recipes
Get inspired by Betty Crocker’s top 10 holiday trends and their accompanying recipes, perfect for any occasion, crowd or craving. A slideshow of the trends and the accompanying recipes can be found at www.BettyCrocker.com/redhot
1. Sweet & Savory Cookies
A biscuit-shortbread hybrid from France, sables have been named the cookie of the year in our test kitchens. For a salty-sweet flavor contrast, we added an unusual savory element—Kalamata olives!—and dark chocolate chips. The result? Mind-blowing, melt-in-your mouth goodness.
2. The New Fruitcake
A modern take on a Christmastime classic, this luscious two-layer cake, studded with whiskey-soaked fruits and filled with sweetened mascarpone, will be the belle of any holiday ball.
3. Crafty Cookies for Kids
Bake your way to fun family memories with our super-easy DIY (Decorate-It-Yourself) Cookie Tree. With infinite possibilities for personalization, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat. (Almost!)
4. Global Flavor Flights
In search of a fresh holiday party staple? Look no further than our crowd-sized flight of mini cheese balls. With bases made from both cream cheese and goat cheese, it’s the globally inspired mix-ins that turn these small bites into something truly memorable.
5. All-American Pastries
From doughnuts to shortcakes, our love for all-American pastries is a year-round affair that never gets old. For a quick upgrade to your brunch-bread basket, try these light-as-a-feather popovers, made easy with help from Bisquick.
6. Popcorn Reinvented
From cupcake toppings to fro-yo mix-ins, bakers and bloggers have been adding popcorn to sweets in quite creative ways. This semi-homemade fudge features store-bought caramel corn, a thick layer of dulce de leche, a generous sprinkling of sea salt and – what else?—more crunchy caramel corn.
7. Jam Cocktails
No longer just toast-toppers, jams, jellies and preserves are making a splash in the craft-cocktail scene. For this interpretation of a classic Manhattan, shake up some bourbon, bitters, vermouth and your favorite cherry preserves with some ice, strain… and drink up.
8. Copycat Candy
A dead-ringer for our favorite chocolate peanut butter cup, these peanut butter cookie-filled brownies are poised to be the hit of the holiday baking season. Bonus? Made in a big batch, they freeze perfectly.
9. Merry Mash-ups
Why settle for one dessert when you can have two? We combined rich blondies with a chewy macaroon topping to create a crowd-pleasing bar that epitomizes a modern dessert mash-up.
10. Communal Food
To us, the best part about party food is enjoying it with loved ones. Ideal for holiday open houses and impromptu gatherings, these fully loaded spicy pull-aparts can be baked in batches as company (or hunger) arrives.
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