Holiday Buffet Menu ideas for the Festive Season

These festive season holiday buffet menu ideas roundup features a few of the appetiser recipes, main course, easy cake recipes and delicious cookie recipes beloved by my family and friends over the festive season holidays.

These buffet menu recipes are suitable for Christmas, New Year, Eid, Easter or year end parties and many can be made ahead and completed on the day.

Holiday Buffet Menu ideas for the Festive Season

This video below is from the year end party I held for my staff two years ago, and included many of the items mentioned below.

Best holiday appetizers

Crayfish salad

Crayfish salad with avocado, red cabbage and cucumber

This Crayfish salad balances the delicate flavor of crayfish, with the sweet and sour notes of the rice vinegar and stevia dressing and the crunch of red cabbage and cucumber, mellowed by the creaminess of ripe avocado.

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Italian cured Meat and Cheese Platter (Antipasto board)

An Italian cured Meat and Cheese platter or Antipasto board is a quick first course or meal and includes cured meats, cheese, nuts, vegetables and bread.

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Caramelised onion, fig and brie tart appetizer

A sweet and savory tart with the subtle warmth of caramelised onions, the fragrance of figs, orange and sage and the crunch of walnuts.

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Circassian chicken choux puffs

These Circassian chicken choux puffs have a filling of chicken and a sauce flavored with paprika, cumin, chili, garlic and thickened with ground walnuts.

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Main course buffet menu ideas

Peri Peri Garlic Butter Prawn fry

Cape Malay Pepper Steak Pie

This home made Cape Malay Pepper Steak Pie is flavorful tender steak cubes in a rich onion and mushroom gravy between layers of buttery flaky pastry.

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Slow Cooked Pulled Lamb shoulder

Slow cooked pulled lamb shoulder is melt in the mouth fall off the bone deliciously juicy tender meat cooked at a very low temperature. 

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Finger licking Spicy Peri Peri Prawns fry recipe

This Spicy Peri Peri Prawns fry recipe is tangy fiery chilli laden goodness that will leave you craving more.

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Mouthwatering Chicken Akni recipe (chicken pulao)

Cape Malay Chicken Akni is simple comfort food of lightly spiced and fragrant perfectly cooked fluffy rice with chicken, potatoes and herbs.

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Chicken and mushroom pie

Chicken, mushroom and mixed vegetables in a creamy sauce between layers of flaky puff pastry.

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Celebration cakes

Best Glazed Orange Bundt cake

Decadent Chocolate Cake with ganache frosting

This delicious decadent chocolate cake with ganache has a light, yet moist sponge and beautifully smooth and shiny chocolate ganache topping.

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Spiced Boiled fruit cake

This old fashioned alcohol free spiced boiled fruit cake is a moist, dark rich fruit cake recipe that is delicious for afternoon tea or served with custard for dessert.

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Carrot and beetroot cake

Lightly spiced, moist and flavorful tender cake packed with carrots, beetroot and pecans and topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting.

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Best ever moist Chocolate Slab Cake

The best ever moist chocolate slab cake has a chocolatey rich flavor with a deliciously fudgy buttercream icing that isn't too sweet to go for seconds. 

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Best Glazed Orange Bundt Cake

This is the best glazed orange bundt cake and is delicious with hot or cold glaze, has a tender crumb and an exquisite fragrance.

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Gluten free Orange and Almond cake

This gluten free orange and almond cake is moist and flavorful and is made with whole oranges that have been simmered for two hours.

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Sinfully Moist Lindt Brownies with Nutella sauce

These sinfully moist cake style Lindt Brownies with Nutella sauce are rich and chocolatey and hits all the spots when you are in need of a bit of indulgence.

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Best holiday cookies

Cranberry, macadamia and white chocolate cookies

Chocolate chunk pecan cookies

Chocolate chunk and pecan cookies that are perfectly chewy and melt in the mouth.

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Crispy Oat and Coconut Crunchie recipe

These Crispy Oat and Coconut Crunchies with golden syrup are the most delicious golden treat.

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Cranberry, Macadamia and White chocolate cookies

These festive Cranberry, Macadamia and White chocolate cookies are packed with nuts, fruits and chocolate.

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Pecan Snowball cookies

Melt in the mouth crumbly shortbread pecan snowball cookies rolled in confectioner's sugar.

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Easy cold holiday desserts

Espresso Cookies and Cream mousse

Ambrosial No bake Strawberry Jelly Cheesecake Slice

This No bake Strawberry Jelly Cheesecake Slice is an uncomplicated recipe that results in a lush creamy dessert that's sets beautifully in the fridge.

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Peppermint Crisp Caramel Mousse

Peppermint Crisp Caramel Mousse is a decadent dessert with layers of chocolate coconut flavored cookies, caramel cream, banana and mint chocolate.

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Whipped Yogurt Mousse with jelly and evaporated milk

This refreshing and light but luxurious whipped yogurt mousse is studded with fresh fruits and elevated by the addition of whipped evaporated milk and fresh cream.

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Red fruit salad with rose scented cream

Red fruit salad with sweet ripe strawberries, grapes, plums and cherries topped with a delicious rose water scented greek yogurt cream

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Deliciously decadent Espresso Cookies and Cream Mousse

This deliciously decadent Espresso cookies and cream mousse dessert is a coffee infused lush pudding that will have you licking your lips after every taste. 

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Easy warm holiday desserts

Cape Malay Stewed Dried Apricot and Peach compote

Cape Malay Potato pudding recipe

Potatoes get a new lease on life in this Cape Malay Potato Pudding recipe with hints of almond extract, cardamom and cinnamon and is delicious with stewed dried peaches or without.

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Cape Malay Stewed Dried Apricot and Peach compote

Delicious Stewed Apricot and Peach compote made with dried fruits instead of fresh, is delicious served with yogurt for breakfast, with custard for dessert or as a garnish on baked puddings.

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Brioche bread and butter pudding

Traditional bread and butter pudding using brioche, and flavored with cinnamon and cardamom for flavor.

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