Earlier this month, I reached out to chefs, food writers and other culinary professionals, asking them to share delicious holiday traditions stemming from other parts of the world. Some shared stories of childhood or family traditions, others shared desserts they may have learned from living in another place, and still others shared traditions they’ve learned from friends of theirs who celebrate holidays around the world.

Because not all of us celebrate Christmas, or even the New Year, at the same time, these desserts reflect a variety of holiday traditions in the sweetest possible way. I loved reading about them, and am excited to share them with you. And while not all of the stories were able to make it into the published story, continue reading below for additional compiled stories (and a recipe!) reflecting traditions from Costa Rica, China, Spain, Taiwan, Ghana and Thailand.

Thank you so much to all of the incredible contributors, and Happy Holidays, everyone!

— Noelle

Earlier this month, I reached out to chefs, food writers and other culinary professionals, asking them to share sweet holiday traditions stemming from other parts of the world. Some shared stories of childhood or family traditions, others shared desserts they may have learned from living in another place, and still others shared traditions they’ve learned from friends of theirs who celebrate holidays around the world.

Because not all of us celebrate Christmas, or even the New Year, at the same time, these desserts reflect a variety of holiday traditions. I loved reading about them, and am excited to share them with you. Continue reading for stories (and some recipes!)….

There are few holiday staples as polarizing as eggnog. Candy corn may come close, and Easter Peeps might as well make or break the holiday depending on which side of the aisle you’re on. But nothing comes close to eggnog. Either you love it. Or you hate it. And no matter which side you’re on, you do so with a passion.

It actually wasn’t until cooking school that I even gave eggnog a second chance. It was then that I came across the excellent book “The Elements of Taste” by Gray Kunz and Peter Kaminsky. This eggnog — this take on a detested drink — actually appealed to me. Honestly, it was the method — the seemingly insane amount of work that the recipe required — that piqued my interest.

The recipe from Kunz and Kaminsky — they call it “Bigger Eggnog” — is not your typical nog. The method takes time, yes, but it’s worth every second. For a host of reasons….

No time of the year is more perfectly suited to cookies than the holiday season. Whether you’re making them for yourself, or perhaps whipping up a batch to give as homemade gifts — cookies are the perfect treat, no matter your cravings — or skill level.

One of the most classic — and versatile — recipes is the sugar cookie. Stripped to its most basic form, a sugar cookie is nothing more than a combination of butter, flour, egg, and sugar. A touch of vanilla is often added for added flavoring, and a sprinkling of salt is often beaten in towards the end to round out the flavors.

Simple as it may appear, there is chemistry behind a great sugar cookie, and the science lies in the method of preparation. Continue reading for tips and recipes….

Warm cocoa, thick and fragrant. Its bitter richness tempered with a touch of sugar, or perhaps honey, agave or maple syrup. Stir in a hint of cinnamon, bright cardamom, or ground chile for added depth and personality. A dash of liqueur — rich Grand Marnier, toasty Frangelico or smoky amaretto — lends that little something extra. Then, just to gild the lily, top the creation with a dollop of thick whipped cream or fluffy marshmallow.

Done right, hot chocolate is pure heaven in a mug….

Let’s face it. As much as we may like — and maybe even try to replicate — the Norman Rockwell-esque look of the turkey and the picture-perfect sides, Thanksgiving is really all about the dessert, right?

Clear the table, bring on the pies, and let the fun begin.

Still, even regular cooks and bakers often find pies more than a little daunting. Because, like the Thanksgiving turkey, we may only make them once a year.

If you’re feeling a bit intimidated, relax and take a deep breath. I’ve written about pie-making every holiday for years now, and it all boils down to trusted recipes, a few basic rules, and some handy tips. Continue reading for recipes for pumpkin, pecan and classic apple pie, along with a foolproof pie dough that will give you perfectly flaky crust every time….

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.

As a professionally trained chef and longtime culinary writer, food, for me, is the most authentic form of communication. It’s honest and pure, delicious and satiating. Food can bridge the starkest of divides — political, religious and more — like little else. Thanksgiving celebrates this, with no shortage of calories or love.

What I appreciate most about the holiday is gathering with loved ones over a shared meal, which my partner, Valerie, and I usually do.

But with a surge of COVID-19 cases nationwide and hospitals reaching capacity — and family gatherings considered a significant reason for the crisis — Val and I have canceled our “Long Table” Thanksgiving tradition this year….

Whether you're cooking for yourself, your household, or a few members of your friends or family, you can still indulge in a homemade turkey dinner this Thanksgiving. Continue reading for tips and a recipe sure to become your annual tradition….

For many, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without the turkey. It’s both symbol and centerpiece at the table. It is so familiar that it might even be considered, dare I say, boring?

There is so much to the autumn season, and there’s no reason a bird has to be at the center of it all. Why should it be? Particularly when there is so much produce coming into season just waiting to be enjoyed — even celebrated — as we savor the holiday with loved ones and friends. Continue reading for three show-stopping recipes that will have even your most ardent meat-loving friends asking for seconds…

Pumpkin fan? There are so many ways to enjoy the squash beyond classic pie. I share tips for using pumpkin, along with recipes for roasted pumpkin salad, risotto, quick pickles and pumpkin seed granola here: