Midwest Living Holiday Cookbook 2011

Fruity preserves enhance this four-cheese appetizer. Mold into your favorite fruit for a fun spin on the traditional shape.

Pear-Shaped Sake Cheese Ball

A hint of curry and some chutney elevate these deviled eggs to spectacular. Spoon the filling into a sandwich-size clear plastic bag and snip a corner for easy piping.

Devilishly Good Deviled Eggs

We converted shot measures used by P.J. Barrera at Jake's Old City Grill to standard kitchen measures (a shot equals 1.25 ounces) in this lovely purple-blue holiday martini. It's as smooth as Frank Sinatra's voice.

Old Blue Eyes Martini

Create edible masterpieces with decal-like transfers applied on our Season's Greetings Cookie Postcards. Give in waxed envelopes arranged on a seasonal plate.

Season's Greetings Cookie Postcards

Apples, dried cranberries and grapes meet crunchy celery and wheat berries in this colorful salad tossed with apple-cinnamon dressing.

Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad

This classic pie recipe comes from Miss Aimee B's Tea Room in St. Charles, Missouri.

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk-Coconut Pie

Berry vodka, pomegranate liqueur and cranberry juice bring a blush to this drink from Jake's Old City Grill, Saginaw City, Michigan.

Seduction Martini

Cranberry juice makes a surprise appearance in this slow cooker main dish. The juice adds a little sweetness to the winter veggie-packed soup.

Fireside Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

A round cookie cutter with scalloped edges makes a nice shape for these cookies, but bell, tree or star cutters would also be good choices for the holidays.

Orange-Ginger Cookie Sandwiches

The combination of croissants, bacon and cheese create an indulgent make-ahead treat for breakfast or brunch. Croissant pieces fit into the baking dish like a puzzle.

Stuffed Croissant Breakfast Strata

This pie is from Miss Aimee B’s Tea Room in St. Charles, Missouri.

Black-Bottom Pecan Pie