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Thanks To These Christmas In July Recipes, I Get To Celebrate The Holidays Twice A Year

Ho, ho... hot? Merry Christmas in July!

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merry mozzarella bites
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

While there are plenty of ways to try and beat the summer heat, only one of them brings all the cheer and merriness of the holiday season. Celebrated across the globe, Christmas in July was originally coined and celebrated at Keystone Camp in North Carolina in 1933 and has been widely accepted and celebrated ever since. It is the perfect excuse to get friends and family together to celebrate everyone's favorite holiday just a little early and bring down some cool vibes from the North Pole. I’ve gathered 23 of our favorite Christmas recipes with a little summer kick, or the perfect warm-weather Christmas in July celebration.

You may think of Christmas foods as all containing warming spices and seasonal fruits and vegetables, but really, there are so many options that are perfect for any time of year, and especially the summer. Our brown sugar pineapple ham and Puerto Rican classic pernil are perfect centerpieces primed for warm weather, while our corn casserole and pesto-stuffed burrata bombs bring fresh summer flavors.

If thoughts of cold weather aren’t enough to keep you cool, we’ve got plenty of cold Christmas cocktails and desserts for you to choose from. Our cranberry palomas and blended mistletoe margaritas scream summer, while our peppermint ice cream and not-so-naughty Jack Frosties will have you on a brain freeze watch.

However you choose to celebrate, Christmas in July is a great way to remember all the love and cheer of the Christmas season. So go ahead, make a few sandmen at the beach, string some lights across the palm trees, and enjoy all your favorite holiday foods early this year.

1

Mistletoe Margaritas

pink slushy margaritas with sugared cranberries
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Take the classic frozen margarita into the holiday season with these mistletoe margaritas. Cranberry juice adds the bright color and seasonal spin to these margs, turning the classic summer drink into a holiday cocktail classic.

Get the Mistletoe Margaritas recipe.

2

Merry Mozzarella Bites

merry mozzarella bites
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These merry mozzarella balls are going to make cocktail hour a little more jolly. Marinated ciliegine (or “cherry sized” mozzarella balls) are combined with white balsamic, garlicky chives, and a little crushed red pepper to signify Christmas colors.

Get the Merry Mozzarella Bites recipe.

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3

Mini Black Forest Trifles

layered black forest trifles
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A black forest cake can feel like a big task to make, but these mini trifles break down the components into a very approachable dessert without the fear of needing to make a layered cake. To make things even easier, I'm using boxed cake mix and cherry preserves.

Get the Mini Black Forest Trifles recipe.

4

Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

brown sugar pineapple ham

This zingy retro classic glazed ham is a stunner set in the center of a table, and just a few easy sides short of a fantastic feast. Beyond the eye-popping pineapple rings and bright maraschino cherries, the glaze lends a shine and texture to the ham’s caramelized crust.

Get the Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe.

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5

Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs

pesto stuffed burrata on top of burst cherry tomatoes with basil
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Why have just mozzarella when you can have burrata? Why have just burrata when you can have pesto-stuffed burrata? This recipe is the best way to upgrade the creamy cheese of the moment with festive holiday colors.

Get the Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs recipe.

6

Frozen Peppermint Pattie Pie

chocolate pie shaped like a peppermint pattie candy
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This pie is the frozen version of a York Peppermint Pattie, and there is something so refreshing about a frozen minty dessert that is impossible to resist. This pie is quick to make and takes a note from our no-churn ice cream with the addition of cream cheese to make it more sliceable.

Get the Frozen Peppermint Pattie Pie recipe.

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7

Cranberry Paloma

a short glass with a sugar rim, filled with a tequila grapefruit and cranberry cocktail, garnished with a grapefruit twist and fresh cranberries
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This tequila cocktail is the perfect thing for Christmas in July. Just like a classic paloma, this version is made with a base of tequila and grapefruit. But it gets a boost of sweetness and tartness with the addition of cranberry juice cocktail.

Get the Cranberry Paloma recipe.

8

Hot Cocoa Dip

hot cocoa dip served with cookies
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Hot chocolate is a cold-weather must, but in the summertime, sometimes we just can't take the heat. Enter this sweet, creamy, shareable hot cocoa party dip. It’s topped with swoops of whipped cream, a shower of mini marshmallows, and sprinkles, if you're feeling fancy.

Get the Hot Cocoa Dip recipe.

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9

Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

antipasto christmas tree cheese ball

Nothing says hostess with the most-est like a charming and delicious antipasto Christmas tree. This cheesy appetizer sculpture will help you decorate for your Christmas in July party and feed your guests all in one fell swoop.

Get the Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball recipe.

10

Corn Casserole

classic midwestern casserole made with jiffy muffin mix, creamed corn, and fresh corn then baked and topped with paprika and chives
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This corn casserole transcends commonplace categories into a league of its own. It’s packed with sweet corn, balanced by a pinch of paprika and herby chives, and has an insanely tender and custardy texture that will have you on your third helping before you even know what hit you.

Get the Corn Casserole recipe.

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11

Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites

mini cheesecake bites topped with strawberries and whipped cream to look like a santa hat
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These mini cheesecake bites are the easiest way to spread some Christmas cheer. Bonus: You can top any holiday treat with these adorable little hats—cupcakes, cookies, Jell-O shots...

Get the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites recipe.

12

Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks

sugar cookies stacked with green icing and sprinkles to make christmas tree stacks
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

All you need is store-bought sugar cookie dough, an easy homemade buttercream (colored green to nail the Christmas vibes), and your desired decorations to create these tiny edible trees. In 30 minutes, you’ll have the cutest cookie stacks that everyone will be fighting over.

Get the Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks recipe.

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13

Pernil

puerto rican pernil with crispy skin
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

For Puerto Rican households, pernil is synonymous with the holiday season. Boasting a combination of succulent, flavorful meat and shatteringly crisp skin, this impressive bone-in, skin-on roast pork dish has earned its place as the centerpiece of a Christmas dinner spread.

Get the Pernil recipe.

14

Peppermint Ice Cream

pink peppermint ice cream with crushed peppermint candy
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

News alert—there’s more to holiday desserts than cookies. It's time for ice cream to take center stage, specifically this peppermint ice cream. It's delicious served plain, topped with chocolate sauce, or layered into a Christmas sundae with brownies, whipped cream, and shards of peppermint bark.

Get the Peppermint Ice Cream recipe.

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15

Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers

spinach artichoke christmas tree skewers
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Spinach-artichoke dip is a classic appetizer, but let’s make it a little more festive for the holiday season with these spinach-artichoke Christmas tree skewers. Wrapped in puff pastry, the dip can be shaped into cute little Christmas trees to become individual apps.

Get the Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers recipe.

16

Cranberry Turkey Sliders

sliders filled with sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese topped with a poppyseed butter topping
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BEN WEINER

These sliders are a great way to repurpose those Thanksgiving leftovers or use deli-style, oven-roasted turkey. It’s a tasty pairing using whole berry cranberry sauce, which is nicely offset by the creaminess of mild cheddar and the more distinct flavor of gouda. Safe to say, it’s a real GOUDA idea to make these sliders.

Get the Cranberry Turkey Sliders recipe.

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17

Tamales

tamales
Andrew bui

For many families, especially Latinx and Southern families, tamales are a classic Christmas tradition. For others, tamales are a delicious summer snack available in all different fillings and flavors. For Christmas in July, they are are perfect mix of both.

Get the Tamales recipe.

18

Jingle Juice

bowl of punch with cranberries and lime
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This crowd-pleasing holiday punch is truly a Christmas miracle. It serves a large crowd, doesn’t shy away from the booze (read: three bottles of wine AND vodka), and looks stunning presented at any holiday party. Plus, it’s endlessly versatile—you can really experiment with it to create your ideal jingle juice.

Get the Jingle Juice recipe.

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19

Letters To Santa Cookies

letter shaped pastries filled with chocolate and cinnamon sugar on a plate with milk
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These edible letters are cute, delicious, and super-simple to make. Sprinkled with warm cinnamon sugar and filled with decadent Nutella, these cookies have an extra touch of Christmas magic.

Get the Letters To Santa Cookies recipe.

20

Not-So-Naughty Jack Frosties

blue cocktail in a glass
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STLYING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

These vibrantly blue, not-so-naughty (read: non-alcoholic!) Jack Frosties are a refreshing departure from the hearty flavors of the holiday season. I borrowed flavors from our Jack Frost cocktail and focused on making the mocktail bright and lemony.

Get the Not-So-Naughty Jack Frosties recipe.

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