Charming, festive, sweet treats for the ages.
(Don’t get us started on “A Charlie Brown Christmas!")
But perhaps more than anything else, Southerners love to spend time togetherin the kitchen.

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Thesevintage dessertsbring all thetraditional Christmas flavors, and they make an appearance year after year, decade after decade.
Enjoy it alone, or turn it into a layered trifle with whipped cream and toppings.
They’re sometimes dipped, sometimes rolled, but always buttery and delicious.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
“New Neighbor Cake is based on a traditionalbuttermilk farmhouse cake.
Buche De Noel
The name of this recipe translates to “yule log.”
It’s flavored with rich chocolate and coffee and topped with candied cherries.

Credit:Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
Hint: That’s how you know this recipe is really, really old-fashioned.
Apple Cranberry Casserole
Put that bowl of decorative Christmas cranberries to work!
Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines
Thanks to a super creamy finishing touch (buttermilk really is something!

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
), these classic Southern candies stand out from your basic recipe.
Fruitcake
Fruitcake is nostalgic but also always popular.
That’s why a caramel cake rarely comes out any time of year but the holidays.

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Sally McKay; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
This recipe is extra fudgy, super nutty, and totally delicious.
It’ll turn even the staunchest of fruitcake-hating folks.
Ambrosia Pudding Pie
Ambrosia makes for a delicious take on the classic Christmas dessert.

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Originally from our December 1993 issue, this boozy confection recipe is Christmas food gift-material.
take on holiday fruitcake.
Molasses Crinkles
You couldn’t fit more Christmas spirit into these cookies if you tried.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The recipe is loaded with classic holiday spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Christmas Snow Salad
We pulled this colorful, gelatinous recipe from our November 1982 issue.
The more maraschino cherries, the better, right?

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This cinnamon-filled recipe is a crowd-pleaser.
In true Southern fashion, a pecan makes the perfect garnish.
Pecan Tassies
These well-loved cookies are like a delicious cross between miniature pecan pies and shortbread cookies.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle
A trifle makes the ultimate show-stopping holiday centerpiece.
This delicacy is retro, fruity, and oh-so jiggly.
You get the picture.

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This rum cake gives a jolt of fresh fruit flavor with a touch of booze.
Battenberg Cake
Ever heard of a Battenberg cake?
If not, ask your elders.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This holiday-ready sweet is just beautiful to slice into.
It a delicious work of art that will steal the show at your holiday parties and dinners.

Credit:Molly Bolton

Credit:Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Credit: Photographer: James Ransom; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Credit:Hannah Zimmerman

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Courtney West

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Credit: Emily Laurae/Southern Living

Credit: Alison Miksch

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit: Alison Miksch

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit: Emily Laurae

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Credit: Hector M Sanchez

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist Audrey Davis

Credit: PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

Credit: Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Credit: Southern Living