Taste of Home Winter 2025

The most wonderful time of the year can be a whirlwind of activities, from cookie exchanges and open houses to formal dinners and casual breakfasts. But don’t be overwhelmed … season’s eatings is easy with Taste of Home! Our Holiday Cocktail Party contest (page 69) has the spirited beverages and tasty bites needed to have you mingling in style. Are you hosting a sit-down dinner this year? Turn to the “Festive Feast” feature (page 50) and impress guests with a special spread showcasing beef Wellington. After ringing in Father Time, a “New Year’s Brunch for a Bunch” (page 31) is just the thing to start off 2025. And don’t forget seasonal sweets. The cookies starring in “Merry & Bright Morsels” (page 40) are so irresistible that Santa won’t know which…

Winter Warmups When the temps outside drop, it’s time to turn up the heat in the kitchen with hot and hearty recipes the whole family will love. Simmer up a bowl of Turkey Vegetable Soup or Stephanie’s Slow Cooker Stew. For quick comfort, turn to Gnocchi with Spinach & Chicken Sausage or Skillet Mac & Cheese. Oven-baked entrees like Chili Cheese Dog Casserole, Smothered Burritos and Sloppy Joe Pizza really warm the soul! Best of the Best This brand-new collection serves up the comforting delights today’s home cooks rely on time and again. These are the five-star bites they’re consistently asked to prepare for snacks and weeknight dinners as well as parties and potlucks. Order yours today for only $10 plus free shipping. tasteofhomebooks.com/M2412 COMMUNITY COOK’S RECIPE REVIEW Sausage &…

STEP 1: TOSS INGREDIENTS WITH FLOUR In a small bowl, combine candied fruit, raisins, walnuts and flour. Doing so will prevent the ingredients from sinking to the bottom of the loaf. STEP 2: CREAM THE BUTTER AND SUGAR Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. STEP 3: ADD THE REMAINING FLOUR When the eggs are well incorporated into the butter mixture, beat in the remaining flour. Add it gradually so that the batter is smooth. STEP 4: FOLD IN THE FRUIT MIXTURE Add fruit mixture to the batter. Use a spatula to gently fold ingredients together. Be careful not to overmix; otherwise, the batter will deflate. STEP 5: ADD THE BATTER TO…

Loaf Pans The handles on our Test Kitchen-approved nonstick loaf pan make it easy to take in and out of the oven. Range Kleen Taste of Home 9x5-in. Metal Loaf Pan $18 tasteofhome.com/cookwithtoh Pan Liners Skip the aggravation of lining loaf pans with parchment. These reusable silicone liners pop right into the pans! Loaf Pan Lifters (set of 2) $20 shop.kingarthurbaking.com Flour Sifter For an even lighter texture to the fruitcake, consider sifting your flour before adding it to the batter. Stainless Steel Flour Sifter $12 crateandbarrel.com…

“I loved this cranberry orange layer cake that my sister-in-law made one year. So now each Christmas I make two—one for my family and one to give away.” —Bakeable member Alysia Tsuyuki OUR FEBRUARY CHALLENGE: A CLUE FOR YOU! We’ll announce our February Bakeable Challenge recipe on Feb. 1, but until then, can you guess what it may be from these ingredients? Just a hint: It’s not a lofty goal to make this favorite store-bought treat. Come jump in on the fun! Hover your camera here to join Bakeable, Taste of Home’s community for everything you want to know about baking. You’ll get expert tips and a supportive group of creative bakers, and be the first to see our monthly challenge announcements!…

Eye Benefits Acorn squash is rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A, an essential component for eye health. Vitamin A supports good vision, especially in low light, and helps prevent age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration. Its high lutein and zeaxanthin content also protects the eyes from harmful blue light. Heart Disease Research shows that the carotenoids in acorn squash can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, the squash has one of the best possible ratios of heart-healthy vitamins to calories. Plus, it’s abundant in potassium, which helps to maintain blood pressure, and fiber, which lowers cholesterol levels. Additionally, the magnesium in acorn squash supports healthy blood vessels. Digestive Health The fiber in acorn squash (about 9 grams per 1 cup…