Our Favorite Holiday Recipes of 2020, From Our Zinus Family to Yours

Put a little extra joy on your table this holiday season with a few time-tested dishes courtesy of our very own Zinus team members. 

Whipping up some festive bites for your intimate holiday gathering this year? Then we’ve got just the thing for you! Inspired by our Zinus team members’ annual traditions, we’re bringing you three tried and true holiday recipes. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect Christmas appetizer or potluck idea, we encourage you to give one of these tasty, easy recipes a try.

Easy Baked Cranberry and Pecan Brie

Ingredients:

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 8 ounce wheel of brie cheese
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Soak dried cranberries in a small bowl of water for one minute so they can soften.
3. Lay thawed puff pastry sheet on a cookie sheet.
4. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in pecans and cinnamon and toast for about 3 minutes.
5. Place brie in the middle of the puff pastry.
6. Place pecan mixture on top of brie.
7. Place brown sugar on top of the pecan mixture. The heat of the mixture will help to melt the brown sugar.
8. Drain cranberries. Place them on top of brown sugar.
9. Bring the edges of the puff pastry up over the cheese and press them together, making sure you seal the dough. If you have excess dough, you can cut this off and form to use as a decoration on top.
   Using a pastry brush, brush the entire pastry with the beaten egg.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven, or until the pastry is a golden brown.

Recipe Courtesy of Krista - Sales

“This appetizer tastes like a holiday! With the cranberries, brown sugar, pecans, melty cheese, and puff pastry, it always kicks off a holiday gathering the right way! One of my best friends shared this recipe with me when she brought it to our Easter brunch, and now we make it for any significant gathering!”

Holiday After Party Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 pound refrigerated roll sausage – vegan meat will work too!
8 slices of your favorite smoked bacon, cooked and diced
6 ounces dry stuffing mix, prepared according to instructions
3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Combine sausage, cooked bacon, cooked stuffing and cheese in a large bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined.
4. Roll into balls, approximately 1 heaping tablespoon each. Make sure to pack the balls tightly so they hold together as they bake.
5. Place sausage balls on a prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cooked through

Recipe Courtesy of Kate - Sales

“Every year, hours after the big holiday meal is complete and the kids are snuggled up with their favorite holiday movie, the adults all sit around the dining table for a card game. These meatballs are a staple for the 'holiday after party games' and are a tradition for a late night snack. With the stuffing included in the recipe, this is a savory treat that partners well with the dishes of the day and is easy to make ahead and reheat right before the after party starts!”

 Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake

Ingredients:

30 ounces canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
16 ounce can of evaporated milk
3 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 package spice cake mix
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) of unsalted butter
1 cup chopped pecans or toffee bits (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Mix canned pumpkin, milk, pumpkin pie spice, sugar and eggs. Pour into a baking dish.
4. Sprinkle cake mix lightly over pumpkin mixture (do not mix them together - this is important!).
5. Top with pecans or toffee bits if desired.
6. Slice butter into thin pieces and lay all over the top of the cake.
7. Bake for 1 hour, let sit for a few minutes to set and serve warm.
8. Top with ice cream or whip cream if you'd like.  

Recipe courtesy of Mariah - Marketing

“I love pie and more specifically pumpkin pie! This is a great spin on a classic and there are so many things you can switch out to make it your own including the type of cake mix you use or even using a sweet potato base. Smells ‘perfectly splendid’ while it's baking too!”