Holiday cooking is equal parts tradition and experimentation. Some families make the same dishes every year — it wouldn't be Christmas without them. Others use the season as an excuse to try something new. Either way, these searches reveal what's on America's collective menu this holiday season.
Christmas Dinner: The Main Event
Christmas ham recipe searches dominate December. The classic glazed ham — sweet, sticky, and studded with cloves — remains America's favorite centerpiece. Most people are searching for that perfect honey or brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
For those who prefer beef, prime rib recipe is the luxury choice. It's intimidating for first-timers — that's an expensive piece of meat to potentially ruin — which is why "foolproof prime rib" and "prime rib temperature guide" spike alongside the main search.
The eternal debate continues with turkey vs ham for Christmas. Many families do both, but if you're choosing one, ham tends to be more forgiving — it's already cooked, so you're really just heating and glazing.
Holiday Cookies: Everyone's Favorite Tradition
Christmas cookie recipes see the biggest spike of any holiday search. Cookie exchanges, gifts for neighbors, treats for Santa — Americans bake a lot of cookies in December. The classics never go out of style, but there's always room for new additions.
Sugar cookies are the foundation of holiday baking. They're the canvas for decorating — rolled out, cut into shapes, and iced in festive colors. The key searches are often about getting them soft (not crunchy) and preventing spread during baking.
Trending This Year
Crumbl cookie copycat recipes are exploding in searches. People want to recreate those thick, gourmet-style cookies at home — especially the seasonal flavors that only appear once a year.
Other perennial favorites include gingerbread cookies (for eating and house-building), snickerdoodles with their signature cinnamon-sugar coating, and peanut butter blossoms topped with chocolate kisses.
Holiday Drinks: Warming & Festive
Nothing says holidays like homemade eggnog. The store-bought versions are fine, but there's something special about making it fresh — richer, creamier, and you control the spices. Searches spike for both traditional (with raw eggs) and cooked custard-style versions.
Hot chocolate recipes go beyond the packet-and-water approach. People want the real thing — melted chocolate, warm milk, maybe a splash of vanilla. The TikTok-famous "hot chocolate bombs" continue to trend as well.
For adults, mulled wine and spiked eggnog are holiday party essentials. The spiced, warmed wine fills your home with incredible aromas — cinnamon, cloves, orange peel — while the spiked eggnog debates (bourbon? rum? brandy?) never end.
Side Dishes: The Supporting Cast
The main dish gets the glory, but holiday side dishes make the meal memorable. Americans search heavily for perfect mashed potatoes — creamy, buttery, and lump-free.
Green bean casserole remains an American staple, though searches increasingly include "from scratch" as people move away from canned soup versions. Similarly, sweet potato casserole — topped with marshmallows or pecans — is non-negotiable for many families.
Stuffing recipes (or "dressing" depending on where you're from) generate passionate searches. The bread base, the herbs, whether to add sausage or oysters — everyone has opinions about the right way to make it.
Holiday Desserts: Beyond Cookies
Pumpkin pie searches carry over from Thanksgiving well into December. It's a holiday staple that people want to perfect. The searches often focus on preventing cracks, getting the custard just right, and whether to use canned or fresh pumpkin (spoiler: canned is fine).
Pecan pie is the Southern favorite that's gone national. The gooey, caramelized filling loaded with pecans is irresistible. Some families add chocolate chips; purists consider this sacrilege.
For something more impressive, Yule log cake (Bûche de Noël) searches spike in December. This rolled chocolate cake decorated to look like a log takes effort but makes a stunning centerpiece. Also trending: Christmas cheesecake variations with peppermint, gingerbread, or cranberry toppings.
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