Cardinal Red Christmas Dining

Cardinal Red Christmas Dining

I love classic Christmas colors like this red and white color palette inspired by holly berries and red cardinals. Pulling together a pretty dinner party is one of my favorite things to do. And where better to dine during Christmas than in front of the Christmas tree. This year, I decorated my foyer tree in all red with bunches of berries and tiny red houses which reminded me of birdhouses.

The Theme

A good place to start with a dinner spread theme is the surroundings like in this Christmas tree-inspired design. Another place to look is in your current dinner pieces like these adorable Staub Cocottes. I then tied it all together with a blanket for a table cloth, ribbon, and coordinating wrapped presents.

The table garland was easy to put together with leftover tree filler and ornaments I had from this tree. If you need more filler for your Christmas garland, look no further than your local Christmas tree farm. I like to use the free tree trimmings to bulk up my wreaths and garlands! Prancer’s Peppermintini

Get the recipe for this adorable cocktail here! It’s the perfect cocktail for a red and white dinner party.

S’mores Hot Chocolate

Find this recipe in my Hot Cocoa ATM post and go totally extra by adding a chocolate and crushed graham cracker rim. Give the marshmallows a quick char with a cooking torch.

Delicious Treats

I usually fill these cocottes with hearty soups but for this sugar-centric holiday dessert, I tested out a microwave chocolate cake which worked perfectly in these dishes! Here’s the recipe with optional peppermint flavor. Top with a stenciled powdered sugar design for this pretty presentation.

Chocolate Mug Cakes

Makes: 6 cake cocottes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract OR 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 8 peppermint candies, crushed into small chips (optional)
• powdered sugar for sprinkling (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients until well mixed. Add the remaining ingredients and stir together until smooth.
2. Divide into 6 mini cocottes or mugs and microwave individually for 1 minute and 30 seconds.  For a fudgier center, microwave shorter, and for a more cakey texture, microwave longer. Microwave times may vary depending on your microwave.
3. Let cool a little bit before adding the powdered sugar stencil and serve warm.

These cookies are so beautiful they double as party decor! These gorgeously decorated cookies are by my friend, Pink Apron Confections. They serve as even more inspiration for this party theme.