My Favorite Holiday Foods & Desserts

We asked some local people what their favorites were for this holiday season

The Bramble Family
Kyra, Cliff, Stevie, Reid
Owner of Noble Fin

Peanut Butter Cookie Kisses

“One of the joys of making this dessert during the holidays is not the actual eating of these cookies, but the pure look of excitement in our kids’ faces. The excitement of gathering all of the ingredients, and the fun of pouring the ingredients into the bowl, making a mess and watching the kids be filled with so much excitement as the cookies get placed into the oven.”

Debbie Mason
Peachtree Corners
First Lady

While Debbie is involved with many of the city’s activities, including the Peachtree Corners Festival, she takes time to bake for her family. She shares this favorite holiday recipe.

Debbie’s Sour Cream Pound Cake

2 sticks butter, softened
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. In a different bowl, sift together the flour and baking soda. Then add the flour mixture, alternating with adding the sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. The batter should have taken on a different sheen when it’s ready. Add the vanilla and blend well. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 90 minutes. Enjoy!

Executive Chef Ken Hampton
Hilton Atlanta—Peachtree Corners

“I have been Executive Chef at the Hilton Atlanta—Peachtree Corners Hotel, known as the “Castle on the Hill,” for the past nine years, and I’ve seen tremendous growth in the area. Over the years, several local companies have held their holiday celebrations at our hotel. The holiday season is my favorite time of the year—I love to see the joy and happiness of our customers celebrating the season with co-workers and family.

“Our holiday collection this year includes Red Velvet Cheesecake with Bourbon Eggnog Crème, Warm Salted Caramel Vanilla Bean Cake with Peppermint Ice Cream, Cranberry Pumpkin Pie with Berry Coulis and Pearls Sugar Waffles with Mini Cider Donuts.”

Gina Solomon
Wesleyan Artist Market

Harvest Salad

“This is, hands down, a sure hit—even for those who typically do not enjoy a salad. The combination of sweet and savory is a crowd pleaser every time. Crisp green apples, toasted pecans and dried cranberries make it a seasonal specialty.”

● The salad ingredients include:
● mixed greens lettuce
● sliced red pepper
● cubed Granny Smith apples
● sliced red onion
● toasted pecan halves
● dried cranberries
● crumbled blue cheese
● salted bagel chips and
● homemade dressing of oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, dried mustard and poppy seeds.

Jeanne Aulbach
Peachtree Corners City Council

Jeanne likes to keep it basic. “Generally, if I’m hosting for the holidays, I just roast a turkey and fix some candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and succotash. No recipes needed!”

Chef Donte Youmans
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Peachtree Corners

Surf and Turf

If turkey isn’t your style, Chef Youmans has a suggestion: try a half-pound lobster tail and a 7-ounce applewood-smoked, bacon-wrapped filet seared over glowing embers of Firebirds’ 100% wood fired grill.

“Our Surf and Turf is a special entree combining a flavorful hand-cut filet with a juicy lobster tail grilled to perfection.”