December’s Food Holidays Make it the Month to Indulge

If ever there were a month to indulge, it would definitely be December. You’ve got your Christmas cookies, your hot chocolate, your egg nog (and let’s face it – you need that. There’s a lot of family around, and that often requires a little holiday spirits). But that’s not all the month has to offer. There’s also a scattering of December food holidays that will leave you so full of the season’s best you won’t crave another cookie until next Christmas.

If chocolate is your flavor of choice, you’ll be doing some serious celebrating this month. Nothing showcases the power of chocolate quite like a warm, gooey brownie, and Dec. 8 is the perfect date to indulge. It’s a day dedicated to the chocolate brownie, so go all out with these rich turtle brownies, which combine caramel and pecans into the usual chocolaty mix. If you prefer something to sip on, melt your chocolate down and turn it into one of December’s must-haves: hot chocolate. Spice up your usual cup of cocoa and turn it into Mexican hot chocolate. A touch of chili powder and cinnamon gives the cup a kick just in time for National Cocoa Day on Dec. 12. None of those strike your fancy? Don’t worry, your day is coming. You can celebrate National Chocolate Covered Anything Day on Dec. 16. Yes, anything. Covered in chocolate. Rejoice.

Of course, no holiday season is complete without the cookies. The making, baking and eating of holiday-themed cookies is a big deal in many households, so it only makes sense that December has a day dedicated to the cookie. National Cookie Day comes up quick on Dec. 4. To get a jumpstart on your holiday baking, try these festive gingersnap cookies with white chocolate drizzle.

See more: Homemade Food Gifts for the Holidays

Should you feel the need to lighten things up a little, take a browse through your nearest produce station and get ready for National Gazpacho day, coming to you on Dec. 6. Just blend together a mix of your favorite veggies and voila! Gazpacho is made. Cold soup may not scream cozy, but it does offer an easy (and delicious) way to get a lot of vegetables in one, so you’ll be ready to fully indulge again in no time.

After all, ’tis the season, so enjoy it while it lasts.