13 Maryland Holiday Traditions That You Might Not Expect

By Susan Jenkins

Does anyone still eat “figgy pudding?” If they do, this is the time of year to do it.

There are certain foods and drinks associated with holidays, and people wait all year to consume them. Holiday menus can reflect a cultural or religious heritage, a local custom or family tradition.

Buckeye candy —Tanya Bailey Wilson wrote on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page. If you like peanut butter and chocolate, click here for a recipe on Food.com.

Many people have special dishes they eat on Christmas morning.

Baked French toast —Melanie McQuigg Evans wrote onEdgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page.

Monkey bread —Kathy Payne Braman wrote on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page.

Others enjoy making international favorites and desserts that feature cranberries and cherries, which look festive in dishes this time of year.

Yulekaka Danish coffee bread —Elizabeth Drennen Langley wrote on Havre de Grace Patch’s Facebook page. To make this treat,click here for a recipe on Cooks.com.

Struffoli (an Italian dessert) —Jill Ciganek wrote on Perry Hall Patch’s Facebook page. Click here for a recipe posted on The Huffington Post.

Sarma —Melissa McCall Sinclair wrote on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page. To make this traditional Croatian dish, check out these recipes on Food.com.

Trinidad Black Cake  —Shaliza Ali Harry wrote on the Owings Mills-Reisterstown Patch Facebook page. Check out this video on YouTube to see how its made.

Cranberry cheesecake —Don Horton wrote on Aberdeen Patch’s Facebook page.

Cherry Yum Yum —Diane L Rogers-Sheets wrote on Havre de Grace Patch’s Facebook page. To try this no-bake dessert that combines cherry pie filling with a creamy topping on a graham cracker crust, click here for recipes on Cooks.com.

Forget fruitcake: Pie is the must-have dessert on many holiday tables.

Pumpkin pie —Fred Hall wrote on Aberdeen Patch’s Facebookpage.

Buttermilk pie —Bonnie Castillo wrote on Havre de Grace Patch’s Facebook page. To try this pie with a custard filling, click here for a recipe from Martha Stewart.

Some have more than one holiday food favorite, making it difficult to name just one dish.

Deer soup ... or fruit salad, or maybe smoked turkey —Starrkmoon Kayaks wrote on Havre de Grace Patch’s Facebookpage.