How To Make Your Own Chili Oil In Minutes

how to make chili oil recipe

If you're a fan of adding a spicy kick to your dishes, then this guide is your passport to creating your own tantalizing chili oil from scratch. In this culinary adventure, we will explore the art of infusing oil with aromatic spices and fiery chili peppers to create a versatile condiment that can elevate any meal. Whether you prefer a milder heat or crave an inferno of spiciness, this step-by-step tutorial will empower you to customize the flavors to suit your taste.

What is Chili Oil?

Chili oil holds a significant place in Chinese culinary traditions, serving as an essential pantry ingredient. It combines the harmonious blend of oil infused with aromatic spices and fiery chili flakes, providing both a flavorful essence and a satisfying crunch. You have the freedom to select any variety of chili pepper, ranging from gentle and mild to intensely fiery and superhot depending on how you take the heat.

Homemade Chili Oil Ingredients

Photo by Karolina Grabowska / PEXELS

  • Oil: Ideally, a neutral flavored oil, such as vegetable, canola, peanut, soybean, or grape seed oil.
  • Spices: Some essential spices you'll need are star anise, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, Sichuan peppercorns.
  • Salt: Very important as it helps bring out the flavor of all the spices and aromatics.
  • Chili flakes or crushed dried chili peppers
  • Optional spices and add-ins: Whether or not you want to add anything further is up to your personal preference. If you prefer a bit more flavor, you can incorporate spices such as black cardamom, cloves, fresh garlic, or soy sauce.

How To Make Chili Oil Recipe Instructions

Photo by Karolina Grabowksa / PEXELS

  1. Collect all the aromatic ingredients you intend to incorporate. Combine the chosen oil and aromatics in a pot. If you opt for using just the essential spices, approximately 1 ½ cups of oil will suffice. You may increase the oil quantity to up to 3 cups if you decide to go a bit more complex on the ingredients.
  2. Begin by placing the pot over medium heat and gradually reduce it to medium-low or low heat as the oil heats up. The goal is to reach an oil temperature of approximately 110-120°C, at which point you should observe small bubbles gently emerging from the aromatics. Allow the aromatics to infuse for a duration of at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
  3. Remove the spices first with a fine-meshed strainer, then heat the oil as it needs to be between 110-120° C when poured over the chili flakes.
  4. Prepare your chili flakes in a bowl that can withstand heat. You can experiment within the oil-flakes range, but usually, 1½ cups of oil to ¾ cup of chili flakes should work.
  5. With caution, slowly pour the hot oil through a strainer, allowing it to pass onto the Sichuan chili flakes. Give it a gentle stir to ensure the even distribution of the oil's heat.
  6. Incorporate the salt into the chili oil while giving it a gentle stir, and then let the mixture cool down. For safe storage, transfer the chili oil to airtight containers and keep them refrigerated. Remember to use clean utensils whenever handling the oil.

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Header photo by Roman Odinstov / PEXELS

When the new cookbook Crumbs: Cookies & Sweets from Around the World by food writer, recipe developer, and self-confessed baking obsessive Ben Mims arrived in my mailbox, I was instantly smitten. Not only because I LOVE fresh-baked cookies in all varieties, but because this book is stunning, from the elegant cover to the beautiful photography by Simon Bajada inside. My mom was visiting and she was obsessed too, but I couldn't bring myself to part with it! It's also a great holiday gift for the baker in your life — or a great gift to give yourself. 😉 Regardless, here's Ben's best baking tips — plus three international cookie recipes you can bake right now!

Swirled Pig's Ears Cookies (Vietnam)

Simon Bajada

Bake your way around the world with Crumbs's 300 irresistible cookie recipes from nearly 100 countries, from classic chocolate chip cookies to date-filled maamoul, and almond macaroons to cardamom biscuits, Italian waffle cookies, and Okinawan brown sugar shortbread.

Simon Bajada

"Cookies are condensed pieces of excess," says Ben. "They allow everyone to feel extravagant and rich for a second. I think that’s a universal appeal for everyone. They bring joy while eating them, no matter how you feel the rest of the time. And sharing in that joy is what cookies do best; they allow you to physically give out happiness in a few bites."

He's sharing an excerpt of three cookie recipes below!

Simon Bajada

Chocolate-Glazed Polish Gingerbread (Poland)

Adapted from Crumbsby Ben Mims

Preparation time: 50 minutes, plus cooling and setting time

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Makes: 30 cookies

INGREDIENTS

For the cookies:

  • 6 tablespoons (125 g) honey ¼ cup (50 g) white US granulated (UK caster) sugar
  • 2½ tablespoons (35 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2¼ cups (315 g) all-purpose (plain) flour, plus more for dusting
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

For the chocolate glaze:

  • 1½ cups (200 g) powdered (icing) sugar
  • 1/3 cup (30 g) natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk, plus more if needed

DIRECTIONS

  1. Make the cookies: Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas Mark 4). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Pour the honey into a small frying pan and place over medium-high heat until the honey starts to bubble around the edges and is loose. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the white US granulated (UK caster) sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cardamom until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in the sour cream until smooth, then add the flour and sprinkle over the baking soda (bicarb) and salt. Fold the mixture with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon until the dough just comes together and there are no dry pockets of flour remaining.
  4. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to ½ inch (13 mm) thick. Using a 2½- to 3-inch (6.5 to 7.5 cm) round or heart-shaped cutter, cut out cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Reroll the scraps to cut out more cookies.
  5. Bake until the cookies are risen, golden brown at the edges, and give just slightly when pressed on top, 15-20 minutes, switching racks and rotating the baking sheets front to back halfway through. The cookies will firm up considerably upon cooling so err on the side of underbaking them.
  6. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 1 minute, then transfer them to the racks to cool completely.
  7. Make the chocolate glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered (icing) sugar and cocoa. Add the vanilla and 2 tablespoons of the milk and stir until a thick paste forms. Add another 1 tablespoons milk and stir until the glaze is pourable and smooth but not too runny. Add more milk if needed to reach the consistency you want.
  8. Balance a cookie on the tines of a fork and position it over the bowl of glaze. Use a spoon in your other hand to spoon glaze over the cookie, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Once the glaze stops dripping, return the cookies to a rack or a baking sheet. Repeat glazing the remaining cookies. Let the glaze dry until set before serving.

Simon Bajada

Rainbow Sprinkles-Covered Cookies (Mexico)

Adapted from Crumbsby Ben Mims

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling time

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Makes: About 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose (plain) flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¾ cup (150 g) white US granulated (UK caster) sugar
  • ½ cup (115 g) cold-rendered leaf lard or vegetable shortening, softened
  • 4 tablespoons (2 oz/55 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, preferably Mexican
  • 2 eggs, 1 whole and 1 separated
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup (120 g) rainbow-colored nonpareils (hundreds & thousands) or small dragées

DIRECTIONS

  • Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas Mark 4). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, combine the sugar, lard, butter, and vanilla and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add the whole egg, beat until smooth, then add the egg yolk to the bowl, beating until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and stir until a dough forms and there are no dry patches of flour remaining. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (cling film) and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm.
  • Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Using a 2½-inch (6.5 cm) round cutter, cut out cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Reroll the dough and cut out more cookies. Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm the dough rounds.
  • Meanwhile, make an egg wash by whisking the remaining egg white with the water until smooth. Place the nonpareils in a shallow dish or large plate.
  • Using a pastry brush, brush some of the egg wash over the top of a dough round and place the round, brushed-side down, in the nonpareils to completely encrust that side. Invert the cookie and return it to its spot on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough rounds.
  • Bake until light golden brown at the edges and just set in the center, 12-15 minutes, switching racks and rotating the baking sheets front to back halfway through.
  • Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 1 minute, then transfer them to the racks to cool completely.

Simon Bajada

Flower Shaped Butter Cookies (Italy)

Adapted from Crumbsby Ben Mims

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Makes: About 24 cookies

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup (140 g) all-purpose (plain) flour
  • ¾ cup (105 g) potato starch or cornstarch (cornflour)
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 hard-boiled egg yolks
  • 1 stick (4 oz/115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (65 g) powdered (icing) sugar, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

  1. Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas Mark 4). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, potato starch, and salt. Place a fine sieve over a large bowl and use a silicone spatula to press the hard-boiled egg yolks through the sieve, scraping the back of the sieve to ensure you get all the egg yolk. Add the butter and sugar, and beat on medium speed with a hand mixer until pale and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the dough forms and there are no dry patches of flour remaining. Gather the dough into a ball.
  3. Working on a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin to ⅜ inch (1 cm) thick. Using a 2½-inch (6.5 cm) flower-shaped cutter, cut out shapes of dough. Reroll the scraps to cut out more cookies. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheets, spaced 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Using the end of a narrow-handled wooden spoon or a ½-inch (13 mm) round piping tip (nozzle), punch out the center of each dough flower. Reroll the centers to make more cookies or discard them.
  4. Bake until golden brown at the edges and dry to the touch on top, 10-15 minutes, switching racks and rotating the baking sheets front to back halfway through.
  5. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let the cookies rest on the pans for 1 minute. While they are still hot, dust the cookies with sugar and then transfer directly to the racks to cool completely.

VARIATION

Castagnese

Substitute the same weight of chestnut flour for the potato starch.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (United States)

Simon Bajada

"Ben's best baking tip? "Be patient. So much of the success of your baking comes down to simply giving things the time they need to set up or cool down. Don’t rush things. Always set a timer. Oh, and use a scale! Using the proper weight of ingredients (versus using volume measurements) will be the single greatest determining factor in the outcome of your cookies and all baked goods."

There's so much inside of Crumbs, including the origin story of each cookie and its region. Try them for breakfast, with afternoon tea, on holidays, or as a late-night snack, they are that good!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Party on! Game nights are the best nights, at least in our opinions. Seriously, what's more fun than sitting around the table playing a game, drinking a cocktail or two and laughing with friends?! We'd totally take that over a night sweating (and very awkwardly dancing) at the club.

We know you've made it through that Cards Against Humanity deck too many times to count, so refresh your adult game night stash with some of the best new party games around.

Game of Phones

Uncommon Goods

This techy card game prompts you and your friends to compete in smartphone-based tasks. With assignments ranging from “Find your best #selfie” to “Create an emoji masterpiece,” you’re guaranteed belly laughs and conversation starters galore. Just like with Cards Against Humanity, each round has a judge that picks the winner, so get your phone stacked with game changers now.

hella awk-ward Card Game

Shopify

If you want to spark real conversations with your guests, this is the game for you. By the end of this game, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of new pals. Play by drawing a card and answering the prompt to get to know friends and strangers alike on a deeper level.

What Do You Meme?

Amazon

This is the perfect game for anyone who has spent way too much time on the internet. Match funny captions with well-known internet memes (a rotating judge picks the best one) to create an afternoon or evening of hilarity.

Exploding Kittens Party Card Game

Amazon

This card game is like Russian Roulette “for people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats.” Count us in.

My Ex [A Deck of Conversation Starters]

Amazon

Gather your closest BFFs and spend the night with some good ol’ trash talking (therapeutically, of course). You’ll definitely find out who had the craziest ex. Gather friends that are down for the drama and start by pulling a card. Some of the topics you’ll fill-in-the-blank include: 1. The biggest red flag. 2. What is your ex up to now? 3. The worst rebound.

WHAT DO YOU MEME? for The Girls

Shopify

Grab your girlfriends and stir the pot with this hilarious card game. To play, whoever has the most Instagram followers goes first and rolls the die. “Whichever side of the die lands face-up, take the top card from the corresponding color deck. Read it aloud to the group & perform whatever action is on the card,” the instructions read. “Some cards involve just that player, some require the whole group. The player to their left then rolls the die & the game continues like this. Every winning card gets you a point. 1 Card = 1 Point. The player with the most cards at the end wins!”

Say Anything

Walmart

If you’re looking to reeeally get to know your friends, this is the game for you and your group (um, and maybe an invite to the new person you’ve been dating is in order). By reading questions and providing answers, you’ll quickly and creatively get inside the mind of all your party guests fast.

BAD CHOICES - The Have You Ever? Game + After Dark Edition Set

Amazon

You’ll really get to know the other party guests with this game. This might not be one to play with your new coworkers or mother-in-law!

To play, each player will draw six cards. “When it's your turn, choose one of your six question cards, then ask it to the player you think is most likely to answer YES. If they say YES, you get to discard your card. If they say NO you have to keep the card and try to use it again later,” the instructions read. With Skip Cards, Draw +1, Draw +2, and ALL PLAY cards, there's a surprising amount of strategy. The player who discards all of their cards first becomes the winner.

The Game of Things

Amazon

This provocative game will leave your jaw on the floor from the hilarious, creative and outrageous things your friends say. Simply by drawing topic cards like “Things a chimp thinks about when he sees you at the zoo,” responses are sure to be out of this world. After everyone writes down a response, and the best part starts — you all guess who said what. Let the finger pointing begin.

What’s Yours Like?

Walmart

Tell it like it is and you’ll excel at this one. Players have to guess words based off of creative word clues after asking the question, “What’s yours like?” Seriously, we wanna know.

If You Know You Know IYKYK - The Question Card Game

Amazon

Who knows each other best? This card game will (literally) put everyone’s cards on the table.

Getting started and playing this card game is super simple. A rotating judge asks the group a question about themselves from each of the three levels (indicated on the chosen card). Then, everyone chooses their answer. If you guess the judge's answer correctly, you get a point. The player with the most points wins.

That’s What She Said

Amazon

Are you basically Michael Scott from The Office? Any sucker for jokes and innuendos will love this saucy game.

Bananagrams

Shopify

This one is fun to do with the kids or you can spice it up with an adults-only game. Like speed scrabble, the game comes in a convenient banana-shaped pouch making it great to play on the go.

Never Have I Ever

Amazon

You and your friends can put your trust to the test by sharing your deepest, most embarrassing secrets in this revealing game.

Secret Confessions Game- Adult Version

Amazon

Get ready to laugh the night away with this far too funny game. Each group member will take turns reading the cards’ prompts. With each prompt, every player will answer “yes” or “no.”

The Voting Game

Amazon

In this game, instead of voting for the funniest answer, you vote for the player each card seems to describe. Talk about finding out who your real friends are.

Drawing Without Dignity

Amazon

It’s part Cards Against Humanity, part Pictionary. If you have friends who are particularly good artists (or even if they’re not), this game will bring you hours of fun.

Catan Strategy Board Game

Target

Like a medieval monopoly, full of knights, peasants, robbers and everything prehistoric. This game is focused around building settlements and protecting your land.

Relative Insanity

Walmart

Created by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, this game is based around familial interactions gone wrong with a Cards Against Humanity style of playing.

Influencers in the Wild

Amazon

If you follow the popular Instagram account, then you can probably guess the basics of this board game. Go places, gain followers and get famous to win this pop culture game.

We hope you've enjoyed this round-up of our favorite adult card games, and even if Cards Against Humanity is now somehow worth $500 Million your memories from these nights will always be priceless!

Keep you party going with Brit + Co.

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

For Thanksgiving entertaining, we are all in on easy appetizers – AKA finger foods – you can nosh on so you won’t be starving while you wait for the main event. These Thanksgiving finger foods are delicious, easy to make, and are sure to be crowd pleasers. Whether you choose to serve them as side dishes or starters, everyone will want a bite! Here are some Thanksgiving finger food ideas for not getting hangry as those final dishes finish cooking.

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Finger Foods

Brit + Co

Crescent-Roll Cornucopia

This board might be full of good eats, but the handmade cornucopia is definitely the main focal point. We're obsessed. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Mediterranean Chicken Skewers

Bring some summer flavor into Thanksgiving Day with these delicious skewers. We'd recommend serving it with tzatziki sauce and fresh veggies. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Bacon Pastry Twists

These savory pastry twists are super easy to make, thanks to the store-bought dough. Extra points if you make them with a coordinating cheese dip! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Easy Fig + Brie Crostini

All you really need for this delicious Thanksgiving finger food is bread + jam + cheese. Not only is it easy and delicious, but it looks way fancier than it truly is, which is always a good idea. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Sweet Potato + Goat Cheese + Honey Bites

The nuttiness of the sweet potatoes, the creamy finish of the goat cheese, and the sweet honey here make for a delicious appetizer you can make no matter the time of year. Add a dash of sea salt for an unexpected touch! (via Brit + Co)

StableDiffusion

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Because everyone loves a good Buffalo dip – pair it with chips and veggie sticks to make this snack a certified Thanksgiving finger food. (via Brit + Co)

Parmigiano Reggiano

Chocolate-Covered Cheese Bites

Get a head start on dessert with a dish that brings two of our favorite foods together: chocolate and cheese. It doesn't get better than this. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Mini Baked Potatoes

Thanksgiving isn't complete without baked potatoes, but if you're maxxed out on side dishes, add the starch to your appetizers instead! Sour cream, cheese, and bacon are still definitely encouraged. (via Brit + Co)

Ron Lach / PEXELS

The Easiest Baked Brie

Baked brie is a fancy addition to any table, but unlike a lot of our favorite upscale dishes, it's easier than you might think to add to your menu. Here's how to hack it. (via Brit + Co)

The Gourmet RD

Beet Hummus

Bright and cheery, this festive dip just needs carrot sticks or pita triangles for the appetizer to truly be one of the best Thanksgiving finger foods. (via The Gourmet RD)

Healthy Maven

Rosemary Cashew Bar Nuts

Savor these cashews that can be made ahead of time, and then pulled out at the last minute. (via the Healthy Maven)

The View from Great Island

Baked Brie with Maple, Apples, and Pecans

We're suckers for baked brie, especially one that screams 'holidays' like this one that could easily double as dessert. (via The View from Great Island)

Full of Plants

Vegan Pesto Swirl Cream Cheese

This pretty dish is the kind of make-ahead appetizer that will appeal to all kinds of eaters. Swap in store-bought vegan cream cheese to save some time. (via Full of Plants)

Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese Ball

Fresh herbs and toasted nuts make this goat cheese log an easy make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer to serve with crackers. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Host the Toast

Pesto Parmesan Spinach Balls

All that these vegetarian balls need to start the party is to be speared with toothpicks. We love Thanksgiving finger foods like this for serving a crowd! (via Host the Toast)

Damn Delicious

Maple Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

Snack on these sweet and savory biscuits as an appetizer on Thanksgiving. Then, slice them for leftover turkey sandwiches the next day! (via Damn Delicious)

SweetPhi

5-Ingredient Buffalo Cauliflower Nuggets

No need to worry about eating too many veggies when you make these savory bites as a starter! (via SweetPhi)

A Magical Mess

Garlic and Onion Pull-Apart Cheese Bread

We think everyone can get behind bread and cheese before a Thanksgiving feast. (via A Magical Mess)

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Warm Turnip Green Dip

Get some extra greens in (with bacon on top, of course) in a dip to scoop up with crackers before starting the big feast! (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Peace, Love, and Low Carb

Keto Sausage Balls

Trying to keep up with keto during the holidays? This is one easy appetizer that will set you up for success. (via Peace, Love, and Low Carb)

The Cookie Rookie

Baked Ham & Cheese Mozzarella Sticks

Bake and pull — that’s the idea behind this cheesy winning appetizer. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Completely Delicious

Pecan and Gouda Cheese Ball with Cranberries

A cheese ball is always a good idea! It'll be gone and scooped all the way up before you know it. (via Completely Delicious)

Garnish with Lemon

Candied Bacon

Okay, there's nothing nutritious about candied bacon, but it sure guarantees the meal begins with a bang. (via Garnish with Lemon)

Vanilla and Bean

Mushroom Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese

The savory mushrooms on these crostinis work so well with the lighter, creamier goat cheese spread. (via Vanilla and Bean)

How Sweet Eats

Maple Cream & Apple Butter Brie Cheese

Maple, melty brie, and apple butter? Thanksgiving finger foods don't get more autumnal than that. (via How Sweet Eats)

Make sure to plan your Thanksgiving & holiday parties with Brit + Co on Pinterest, and check out our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece for even more ideas for the table!

This post has been updated.

The holidays are here! Well, kind of. Thanksgiving isn’t until November 28 but as far as I’m concerned, November 1 is the day the festivities can begin. I’m pulling out my holiday candles, Christmas PJ’s, and even my How the Grinch Stole Christmas vinyl to make the dreary seasonal blues a little more cheerful. And a huge part of getting into the spirit is stacking up the perfect holiday movie marathon. Thankfully Netflix already has a bunch of holiday titles coming out over the next few weeks. Here are the best (new!!) holiday movies and specials coming to Netflix starting November 1.

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition — On Netflix Now Until December 10

Adam Rose/Netflix

Nothing says the holidays like tons of delicious meals, and Chef David Chang is cooking some amazing food for his celebrity friends — and he's doing it all live. (Because, a lot of TV cooking uses swaps and stylists to make it look better than it actually is). I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition is hosted by David Chang.

Meet Me Next Christmas — On Netflix November 6

Sophie Giraud/Netflix

Christmas in New York City is truly a magical experience, and Layla's looking for her own fairytale romance this holiday season. And believe it or not, the ticket to finding her one true love is getting into the Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.

Meet Me Next Christmas streams November 6 and stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Tymika Tafari, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, Kalen Allen, Nikki Duval, and Wesley French.

Hot Frosty — On Netflix November 13

Petr Maur/Netflix

Nobody puts me in the holiday spirit like seeing Lacey Chabert onscreen, and this year, she's playing Kathy, a widow who happens to bring a handsome snowman to life. (I don't remember this in the "Frosty the Snowman" lyrics!). He helps Kathy reconnect with her emotions as they begin to fall for each other — and as he begins to melt.

Hot Frosty will stream on Netflix beginning November 13 and stars Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Craig Robinson, Joe Lo Truglio, Katy Mixon, Lauren Holly, and Chrishell Stause.

Netflix Stories: A Virgin River Christmas — On Netflix November 19

Petr Maur/Netflix

It's almost time for Virgin River season 6, which means we're getting closer to the ultimate cozy TV show. I mean, just look at those twinkly lights and pine trees in this preview image! It gives me the same exact feeling as drinking a mug of hot cocoa. This year, we're getting closer to Mel and Jack’s wedding, and confronting some serious secrets and drama along the way. This might not count as a Netflix holiday movie but I couldn't NOT include it!!!

Virgin River season 6 hits Netflix November 19 and stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, John Allen Nelson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanimé, Kai Bradbury, Kandyse McClure, Jessica Rothe, and Callum Kerr.

The Merry Gentlemen — On Netflix November 20

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Remember that One Tree Hill episode where the Ravens take part in the "Boy Toy" charity auction? Complete with a shirtless fashion show? Consider this the Netflix holiday movie response. When former dancer Ashley learns her parents' performing venue is in danger, she puts together the ultimate Christmas-themed show to raise money. Shirts not included.

The Merry Gentlemen hits Netflix November 20 and stars Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes, and Marc Anthony Samuel

Spellbound — On Netflix November 22

Skydance Animation/Netflix

Okay, this fantasy movie might not technically be a Christmas movie, but it has everything I need in my Netflix holiday movies: family, hope, and love. After her parents are turned into monsters, princess Ellian must go on the ultimate quest to put everything right.

Spellbound hits Netflix November 22 and stars Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman.

Our Little Secret — On Netflix November 27

Bob Mahoney/Netflix

If EXmas taught us anything, it's that spending the holidays with your ex is anything but calm. And in Lindsay Lohan's new movie, she finds herself at the same Christmas celebration as her ex when they realize their new SO's are siblings. No, that's not awkward at all.

Our Little Secret hits Netflix November 27 stars Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell, Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Bucatinsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Ash Santos, and Brian Unger.

Is It Cake? Holidays — On Netflix November 28

Netflix

The only thing more enjoyable than eating delicious food is watching master bakers create beautiful food. This holiday special features edible ice skates, nutcrackers, and reindeer that will change the way you look at baking forever. Watch it in one sitting and it definitely counts as a holiday movie ;).

Is It Cake? Holidays hits Netflix November 28 and stars Jonny Manganello, Andrew Fuller, April Julian, Elizabeth Rowe, Miko Kaw Hok Uy, Danya Smith, Henderson Gonzalez, Grace Pak, and Jujhar Mann, with judges Rachel Bloom, Hannah Berner, Tiffany Haddish, Devon Walker, James Austin Johnson, Chris Witaske, Sasheer Zamata, Terry Crews, Punkie Johnson, and Randall Park.

The Snow Sister — On Netflix November 29

Netflix

Julian's turning 11 on Christmas Eve, and even though it's usually the best day ever, this year is overshadowed by the death of his older sister. A newfound friendship with Hedwig helps him heal, but he can't help but feel like Hedwig's house — and the old man that's always around — are hiding secrets.

The Snow Sister hits Netflix November 29 and stars Mudit Gupta, Celina Meyer Hovland, Ole Steinkjer Øyen, Jan Sælid, Samsaya, Gunnar Eiriksson, and Advika.

Which Netflix holiday movie are you excited to watch? Let us know in the comments!

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.