Our Favorite Holiday Apps

Great apps are essential for holiday survival. No, not appetizers (although those are important, too) -- we're talking about apps for your phone or your iPad that make menu planning a breeze, help you find the right wine to serve at Christmas dinner, and send cheery greetings to all of your friends. We've rounded up 7 of the best apps for entertaining and cooking this holiday season.

Paperless Post 
Send invitations and greetings via email or message with Paperless Post's stylish cards. Upload your own photo or use one of their designs; you can even organize the parties you've been invited to...we know your social calendar is about to get busy. Price: Free

Paprika 
We know you've probably got all the recipes you could ever need on Food52, but in case you'd like a place to store all your favorite recipes from various websites, this is the app for you. Paprika lets you download recipes from any site, create grocery lists, and even plan out your weekly menus. Price: $4.99

Hello Vino
This app gives you a wine pairing for just about any dish or occasion -- it even suggests budget bottles or acclaimed vintages, depending on your needs. Save your favorites in the "My Wines" tab and serve them again next year. Price: Free

Panna 
Described as "the first-ever video cooking magazine", Panna provides beautiful how-to videos and recipes from top chefs like Nancy Silverton and Rick Bayless. A free recipe preview is available for each bi-monthly issue; the next issue is named "Holiday Indulgence". Sign us up. Price: $4.99/issue, $14.99/year

Baking with Dorie 
Dorie Greenspan is the woman you wish you had in your kitchen to chat you up, impart wisdom, and share a cookie or two. Here's the next best thing: her app provides beautiful recipes, complete with videos of Dorie showing you how it's done. Take notes, make shopping lists, and organize your favorites. Price: $7.99

Bread Baking Basics 
This app gives you accessible, easy-to-follow instructions on making bread. Delivered with Michael Ruhlman's straightforward style, it provides information on the how and the why of bread making. Select your units, your flours, and your mixing method, and Ruhlman will teach you how to make a delicious loaf of bread in your own oven. Price: $1.99 

Martha Stewart Makes Cookies 
Not surprisingly, Martha has over 80 cookie recipes to share -- with step-by-step tutorials, beautiful photos, shopping lists, and unit conversions. Keep notes on the recipes you've made, and share them with friends through Facebook or email. Price: Free

 

...And, of course, our Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide will get you through all of your cooking and party planning.