10 Holiday Foods Worth the Calories

It's the most wonderful (and fattening!) time of the year. These 10 dishes taste so incredible, they're worth every single calorie. Tell us your favorite holiday indulgence in the comments section.

1. Bread Pudding
If there were a Christmas carol that repeated the phrase "bring us some fruity sorbet," we'd have a craving for something light and refreshing following a December meal. Luckily, there are calls for pudding and wassail ringing in the air--calls that must be heeded. Have yourself a holly, jolly Christmas with a modern-day favorite, our luscious Rum, Caramel, and Banana Bread Pudding.

For the recipe, click here.

2. Chocolate Cake
Second only to the gingerbread house in ornate visual appeal but unsurpassed in rich flavor, the fancy layered cake (like our beautiful Peppermint Meringue Cake with Chocolate Buttercream on the cover of this month's Bon Appétit) is the ultimate holiday dessert. Reward yourself for the patience required to wait until your host cuts you a slice.

For the recipe, click here.

3. Cheese
Balled into a sphere, rolled into a log, or encased in a savory crust (like our Baked Brie with Mushrooms and Thyme), cheese is the hors d'oeuvres draw of any holiday party worth showing up on time for. Consider a few liberal mouthfuls of the good stuff as a preventive against sitting down to dinner over-hungry.

For the recipe, click here.

4. Fudge
Oh, fudge! So simple, so dense, so likely to be swapped at cookie parties. Maybe you'll be gifting most of a homemade batch of fudge (like our Bittersweet Chocolate and Walnut Fudge) this season, but surely you're allowed a super-sweet gift to yourself once a year, right?

For the recipe, click here.

5. Quiche
Christmas morning (or any other special-occasion morning) requires a delicious brunch, and a cream-filled quiche--like our Arugula and Bacon Quiche--is certainly special. This savory, flaky dish will satisfy your post-unwrapping-session hunger and gently sedate even the most hyped-up child.

For the recipe, click here.

6. Standing Rib Roast
Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without turkey; Christmas isn't Christmas without a big, juicy rib roast. Prime rib, rubbed down with seasonings and slow-roasted, is the star of the big holiday meal: Could you imagine our incredible Christmas menus without the meat?

For our top 25 Christmas menus, click here.

7. Jelly Doughnuts
Thank goodness for Hanukkah, the justification for eating fried foods--a reference to the oil involved in the original Hanukkah miracle. Fried jelly doughnuts, or sufganiyot, are an Israeli delicacy eaten during the eight-day holiday. Try our recipe for Hanukkah Doughnuts and steep yourself in this delicious Jewish tradition.

For the recipe, click here.

8. Pot Pie
Whether topped with a second pie crust or by a heap of mashed potatoes à la shepherd's pie, this comfort food is hearty, filling, and savory--the perfect complement to shorter days and colder temperatures. Go for the classic Chicken Pot Pie for a homey evening.

For the recipe, click here.

9. Peanut Butter
Believe it or not, protein-rich peanut butter is a relatively healthy option to indulge in this holiday season: A spoonful or two in between meals can tame your hunger before it leads to overeating. Peanut butter is also more popular than ever; whip up one of these decadent peanut butter desserts to spread the good word.

For the six peanut butter recipes, click here.

10. Everything à la Mode
Everything tastes better with ice cream. Make sure you have reserves in the freezer, or consider making your own. Check out our Desserts à la Mode Slide Show for delicious inspiration.

For the slideshow, click here.

More from Bon Appétit:

• Bon Appétit's 31 Favorite Holiday Cookies
• 27 Winter Party Appetizers
  
• Bon Appétit's Top 25 Christmas Menus
• Six Simple and Festive Holiday Brunch Menus
• Bon Appétit's 12 Best Short Rib Recipes