Homemade Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving can be stressful especially if you are cooking for a large group of guests. But, with proper planning and the right preparations, there's no need to slave away in the kitchen. Give these time-tested thanksgiving recipes a try. Included are easy-to-prep menus, as well as tips for success.

Thanksgiving is a celebration of sharing, family, and gratitude. You can create a memorable holiday with your family. When it comes to holiday dinners, most people have a story of disastrous kitchen chaos

Wondering what to eat for Thanksgiving? Check out these mouth-watering and easy Thanksgiving recipes. Drinks, appetizers, and desserts are included!

Today, I want to share with you a few tips that I have learned from my own experience. I hope you will find them useful.

Sliced Hasselback Potatoes

Sliced baked hasselback potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are much easier to prepare and the perfect side to many main courses. Impress dinner guests with their fancy exposed crusts and creamy centers.

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Strawberry Moscow Mule

Strawberry Moscow Mules are a fun twist on the classic cocktail. This refreshing cocktail is made with vodka, ginger beer, and lemon juice. This makes a tart and delicious drink, perfect for any time of the year.

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Caramel Dutch Apple Pie

When it comes to fall desserts, you can’t go wrong with a caramel Dutch Apple Pie! It’s one of the simplest pies to make and has a delicious apple filling topped with a crunchy crumb topping and of course the best ever caramel sauce

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Recipe for Pecan Pie Brownies

A rich, moist, and decadent chocolate brownie baked with a pecan pie filling on top makes the best recipe for pecan pie brownies. A simple and easy recipe that's quick to mix and easy to bake in just 40 minutes....

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Chocolate Tartlets

These chocolate tartlets are buttery rich ready-to-use mini tart shells filled with my easy chocolate ganache recipe. You can make your own mini tart shells of course but these make quick and easy semi-homemade treats.

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Salted Chocolate Caramel Tartlets

These chocolate caramel tartlets are perfect bite-size, make-ahead semi-homemade treats. Made with homemade caramel sauce, dark chocolate, and ready-to-use tart shells but you can also make homemade mini tart shells.

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Soft Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

I'm giving my classic crescent rolls a taste of fall with these no-knead pumpkin crescent rolls. Soft, light, and airy made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice

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Lamb Shoulder Roast Boneless

This lamb roast shoulder is the juiciest and easiest lamb recipe you will ever make. Seasoned with robust spices, rosemary, and thyme, this is my full-proof method to make roast successfully without any marinating time.

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread is light and airy; it's an oil-based sweet bread made in a loaf pan with pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. A simple and easy recipe that takes just 10 minutes to mix and 50 minutes...

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How to Make Apple Pie

Today, I share how to make apple pie, homemade from scratch using homemade double pie crust and the perfect homemade apple pie filling made with granny smith apples.

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Honey and Apple Tarte Tatin

This apple Tarte-Tatin is made with caramelized apples cooked in butter, honey, and sugar then baked under a rich puff pastry. As a result, you get this beautifully golden caramelized fruit on top.

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Best EVER Pumpkin Spice Latte

This pumpkin spice latte takes just 5 minutes and a few pantry staples. No more standing in long coffee shop lines. Best of all its homemade delicious made with coffee, milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and honey

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Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Cake

Celebrate this holiday season with this pumpkin cake frosted with delicious no-butter cream cheese frosting that just melts in your mouth. A rich butter-based cake made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Perfect to celebrate a festive dinner with family...

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Cherry Champagne Cocktail

This cherry champagne cocktail is the perfect drink to celebrate. Made with cherry liquor, vodka, and champagne this cocktail is perfect for any special occasion whether it's Christmas or Valentine's day. It takes just five minutes to prepare.

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Dutch Oven Roast Chicken

A Dutch oven roast chicken with veggies is the perfect weekend meal with leftovers for the week. This simple and easy recipe with basic seasoning and fresh herbs. The best part is it gets ready in just 90 minutes. Leftover...

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Grilled Chicken Sandwich

This grilled chicken sandwich is the perfect way to make a quick meal in no time at all. Made with cranberry sauce, leftover roast chicken, turkey, or beef and cheese. The perfect way to use leftovers after a big meal

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Stuffing Recipe

A good stuffing recipe can be the star at the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Whether you stuff it in the bird or not this one is moist and fragrant. It has a wonderful texture of both soft and crispy bread.

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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce gets ready in just 20 minutes and is the perfect accompaniment to any roast turkey, chicken, or pork. And, you can make it ahead of time with fresh or frozen cranberries. Serve it for dinner, or with...

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Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

This cast-iron roast chicken is marinated with garlic butter and cooked on high until golden on the outside while still tender and juicy on the inside. Perfect when you want a simple fuss-free dinner. Serve it with mashed potatoes or...

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Sauteed Asparagus Recipe

This sautéed asparagus recipe is the perfect side dish with almost any main courses such as leg of lamb, roast chicken, or roast beef. With crunchy nuts and tart cranberries, these take less than 15 minutes to make

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Hasselback Potatoes

These Hasselback potatoes are crisp as roasted potatoes on the outside but soft as mashed potatoes on the inside and are easier to make too. These take just 10 minutes hands-on and 60 minutes to bake.

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Homemade Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving can be stressful especially if you are cooking for a large group of guests. But, with proper planning and the right preparations, there's no need to slave away in the kitchen. Give these time-tested thanksgiving recipes a try. Included...

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Pie Crust with Shortening

This pie crust with shortening and butter is my mom's favorite method of making pie. Rich, buttery, and flaky crust for all your pies, savory or sweet.

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Roast Leg of lamb - Garlic Butter Marinade

This lamb is going to be your next favorite Sunday dinner. Today, I am going to show you how to roast a leg of lamb perfectly every single time. With a garlic butter marinade, this roast is tender and juicy,...

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Roast Leg of Lamb (Garlic oil marinade)

This leg of lamb is simple, easy, and my fool-proof method of roasting every single time. If you are new to cooking meat this is the recipe you make to impress family and friends.

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Recipe for Double Pie Crust

This is your basic unsweetened all-butter pie crust recipe or Pâte Brisée dough that's rich, buttery, flaky, and tender. Today, we make a double pie crust from scratch for an apple pie.

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Tender Beef Chuck Roast (Oven)

This beef chuck roast is tender and juicy cooked in the oven using a marinade made with garlic and cayenne. Served with a gravy made with pan drippings. A simple and easy recipe perfect to entertain.

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Chocolate Pecan Pie

Need the recipe for the best chocolate pecan pie? This pie recipe makes all others pale in comparison. A pie filling made with melted chocolate and loaded with pecans in a rich buttery homemade pie crust

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Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

Some Thanksgiving pies are finicky and time-consuming to make, but pecan pie is not one of them. Find out how to make the easiest pie with this simple recipe. Made with homemade all-butter pie crust the most delicious pean...

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Boneless Leg of Lamb

This roasted boneless leg of lamb needs only 15 minutes for the marinade and less than 2 hours of roasting. Perfect for the whole family to celebrate festive dinners. Serve over mashed potatoes with or without gravy.

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Quiche Crust Recipe (Shortcrust Pastry) From Scratch

Homemade quiche crust is simple and easy to make from scratch. With just 4 ingredients which are pantry staples, this takes 10 minutes to combine and 20 minutes to chill.

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Perfect Lamb Chops with Sauce

These simple lamb chops with balsamic sauce get ready in less than 20 minutes. A perfect dish to make when you want something quick and easy but still elegant. Serve over mashed potatoes, and sides for a complete meal

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Maple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream Frosting

The rich flavor of maple syrup and the light caramel flavor from the brown sugar is what makes these brown sugar maple cupcakes extra special. And if that wasn't enough we topped it with my incredible maple buttercream and...

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Leek Asparagus Quiche

Quiche is a perfect side dish for breakfast, brunch, or a festive meal. This quiche is made with leek and asparagus and is simple and easy. And yet, it's also a dish that can be made ahead of time. Asparagus...

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Whole Roast Chicken In Oven

Here's how to make whole roast chicken in the oven perfectly every single time. This chicken is juicy on the inside with a crisp golden skin on the outside that looks perfect on the center of any festive dinner. The...

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Apple Crumble Tart

This apple crumble tart is the perfect combination of tart apples and sweet crumble. If you love apple pie you will love this tart even more. Tart apple filling baked in a rich buttery shortcrust pastry topped with sweet crumble...

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Standing Rib Roast

This prime rib roast or standing rib roast, is seasoned with a dry spice rib marinade. Then, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and served with pomegranate gravy. The perfect roast to serve on special occasions.

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Chocolate Coconut Fudge - Microwave

A chocolate coconut fudge square is the ultimate treat to bring to friends and family. This simple and easy recipe makes the most amazing combination of chocolate and coconut. The recipe is vegan, gluten-free, eggless and also dairy-free!

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Best Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Celebrate the season of fall with these pumpkin spice muffins topped with a buttery oat streusel. A light and airy oil-based batter with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices make these very addictive.

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Moist Pumpkin Cream Cake Recipe

This pumpkin cake recipe is rich, moist, and delicious. Made with whipping cream in the batter as well as in the buttercream. A light and airy butter-based cake with pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice mix. Perfect layer cake to adorn...

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Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

The rich flavor of pumpkin spice latte beverage in a cake makes a delicious pumpkin spice-latte cake. Frosted with maple buttercream this is a light and airy oil-based cake with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and coffee.

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Almond Cranberry Cake

This sweet and moist almond cranberry cake has semolina flour, almond flakes, and dried cranberries. Cardamom and cinnamon give this cake a pleasant fall flavor. It is a good holiday dessert to serve with tea or to give as...

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Pumpkin Spice Caramel Apple Dessert

This winter serve a delicious warm pumpkin spiced caramel apple dessert with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A simple step by step tutorial showing how simple, easy and effortless this recipe is and gets...

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Mini Pumpkin Cake Donuts

These mini pumpkin cake donuts are bite-size treats that can be very addictive. Packed with fall flavors of pumpkin puree and pumpkins spice these take just about 20 minutes to make.

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Pumpkin Creme Brûlée

Add a seasonal touch to your next creme brûlée with this pumpkin creme brûlée. Rich, creamy, decadent made with egg yolks, cream, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

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Pumpkin Donuts - Fried

Pumpkin Donuts fried in oil are as tasty as they are easy to make. Pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice are added to the dough to give them the flavors of fall. These are then coated with cinnamon sugar.

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Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting and caramel drizzle take the classic dessert to new heights.  There is no fancy equipment needed. The cupcakes are moist with a little pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree.

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Maple Roast Chicken

This roast chicken is flavored with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Accompanied by baby potatoes and grapes, which add a wonderful fruity flavor to the final gravy. Also, the leftover chicken, if any, makes the most delicious sandwiches and wraps.

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Pumpkin Souffle

If you won't have a pumpkin pie then you must have a pumpkin souffle this Thanksgivings. A perfect dessert for a small family on a gloomy fall day or cold Christmas day. Nothing beats the light and fluffy yet custardy...

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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix

What better way to welcome fall than a sprinkle of the fresh homemade pumpkin spice mix over your baked goods and drinks? Did you know that this spice mix needs only five basic spices you probably already have in your...

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Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Tart Recipe

Celebrate the season of fall with something different this Thanksgiving. This triple chocolate pumpkin tart has three layers of chocolate both white and dark infused with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice in a homemade buttery shortcrust pastry

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Caramel Apple Cake with Caramel Buttercream

Apples and caramel are always a perfect match. So, celebrate this apple season with a caramel apple cake. Made with fresh apples, a hint of spice, layered with caramel buttercream and drizzled with more delicious caramel sauce. Whether you make...

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Upside Down Pecan Cake

This upside-down pecan cake has a layer of pecans caramelized on the bottom of a light and fluffy vanilla batter. When turned upside down, the caramelized juices sink into the baked sponge. The luxury of pie and cake all in...

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Classic Gingerbread cake

Learn to make the best classic gingerbread cake this holiday season. Infused with the warmth of gingerbread spice and molasses this can be served on its own as a coffee cake but can also be dressed with vanilla buttercream and...

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Grilled Lamb Chops

There is no doubt that the quickest dinner is grilled lamb chops. Marinated and served with a classic mint sauce in less than 20 minutes. Ideal for an elegant or festive dinner when you have guests. Also, the lamb can...

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Perfect Lemon Rosemary Roast Potatoes

These roast potatoes are a perfect side dish to serve alongside any dinner, be it festive or weekday meal. Flavored with rosemary and lemon these baby potatoes are especially moist and tender in just 45 minutes.

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Moist Apple Pie Cake

This delicious apple pie cake is an absolute treat and the perfect combination of my three favorite things. Syrupy apple pie filling, moist vanilla cake batter, and buttery crumble topping.

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Caramel Apple Tartlets - Mini Tarts

Sweet delicious apples in caramel sauce spiced with cinnamon then filled into buttery premade shortcrust pastry tarts. These mini-tarts or caramel apple tartlets are a must-make in fall when apples are in season.

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Coconut Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Coconut Caramel

It's the flavor of fall in this coconut pumpkin bundt cake drizzled with coconut caramel. This oil-based cake enriched with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and coconut cream is moist, light, and airy

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Crustless Kale Quiche

This is a simple and easy recipe for crustless kale artichoke ricotta quiche. The ricotta is a clever way to skip the extra calories and still provides the thickness needed to make this quiche creamy and melt in the mouth....

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Tips for planning the best Thanksgiving dinner

I love entertaining, but it also is quite stressful because I am alone. And, the only reason I manage everything successfully is that I plan ahead. In addition, I also choose make-ahead dishes, as much as I can. And, most important, pick tried and tested recipes that I know I can do. No experiments!

1. Plan your Thanksgiving menu before you start shopping that way you avoid overshopping or forgetting to buy the necessary items. 
2. Decide how many people are going to be at the dinner table so you don't have to recalculate your menu over and over again. In addition, plan for at least 2 extra servings, so you don't run short. It's always better to have a few leftovers than to run short at dinner
3. Then, choose a theme or style that is not too contrasting. For example, if you choose to make a Middle Eastern-style main course, don't make a French-style side dish or appetizer. Because, while they may be absolutely delicious on their own, often these flavors don't complement each other.
4. Also, choose dishes that look pretty, and colorful, and offer a variety of textures and tastes.
5. And, make a few classics for those who are more conservative, and try a few new recipes so people get something different. As a result, they will remember it a long time later.
6. Don't repeat the main ingredients. For example,
   • if you are making one main-course lamb (red meat), make the other turkey, chicken, or fish.
   • Or, if you choose one pumpkin pie, don't make the second dessert with pumpkin or pie again. Instead, try an apple cake, brownies, etc.
7. Also, give a mix of different textures. For example, if you make mashed potatoes don't make mashed peas. Rather, try oven-baked casseroles or roasted asparagus, or sautéed carrots.
8. Try to use as many make-ahead dishes as you can such as desserts, side dishes, and appetizers. That way, you can concentrate on the main course and set the table.
9. Most importantly, make sure to take into account those in the family with special dietary needs, and allergies, such as vegan, or egg and dairy allergies.
10. And, if you are new to cooking, choose recipes that are easy and you are confident making or have tried before. And, if you are a seasoned cook, choose 70% tried and tested recipes, in addition, choose two to three that will stretch your cooking skills.
11. Don't skip salads, bread, and condiments. In fact, bread is easy to make or buy ahead of. And, salads add color and texture to the dinner table. Also, condiments are often what people need to add a little something to their main dishes, like cranberry sauce with roast turkey or chicken.
12. Lastly, make sure to offer your guests drinks and appetizers that will encourage mingling. This is especially important when you have guests that don't know each other. For example, pre-snacks such as chips with salsa, cheese & crackers are a great way to build an appetite, but too much of that can also become unnecessary fillers.
13. If you have guests that like to keep things healthy try substituting some of the dishes with healthier options - instead of making mashed potatoes make skinny mashed potato or a sweet potato casserole. Try roasted squash salad or green bean casserole. When possible use yogurt instead of sour cream, or maple and honey instead of sugar. Try cranberries instead of raisins. 
14. If you are a small family make turkey breast instead of the whole roast turkey. Or make a roast chicken or roast beef. 
15. Finally, don't rush. Make as much as you can ahead of time. Always keep an hour before your guests arrive free. This time is great for you to relax and get into an entertaining mood so you don't appear too stressed or tired.

Thanksgiving Menus

1. Thanksgiving drinks recipes

Cocktails are a great way to start before dinner. Then, move on to wine for dinner. Most importantly, choose wines that will complement the main course you are cooking. Often, the wine seller will be able to guide you on what wine is best to serve with your course. That is why planning becomes very critical.

Cranberry Margarita

Did you know that cranberry juice mixed with a little alcohol makes such a wonderful combination together? This cranberry margarita needs only 4 ingredients but a few of these around can help bring your party to life.

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Strawberry Vodka Cocktail

A simple strawberry vodka cocktail can give you a great new way to enjoy a favorite drink. It is a drink that combines strawberry puree, vodka, and citrus juice. This is a more alcoholic version of the strawberry daiquiri, a simple, fruity cocktail

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2. Thanksgiving appetizers

When choosing appetizers, pick things that are light as compared to filling. Also, avoid spicy, or very strong flavors that will contradict the meal.

Roasted Red Peppers Goat Cheese Crostini Antipasti

Roasted red pepper appetizers are a classic and so are goat cheese crostini. These roasted red peppers goat cheese crostini are a heavenly combination of these two. They are an absolute treat served as an appetizer or as a side dish. Add a salad in summer for a light meal, or a soup in winter for a light comfort food. The sweet roasted red peppers, marinated in balsamic and olive oil, combined with creamy goat cheese over warm crusty bread are a must try.

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Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Tapenade

A tapenade is a must have on hand for easy sandwich spreads, tortilla wraps, and appetizers. This roasted red pepper garlic tapenade is our family favorite, super easy, quick and simple to make. You will be totally addicted to it.

 

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3. Thanksgiving salads

Personally, I choose salads that I can make ahead of time and ones that will stay well as leftovers. That way, there is less to do and things don't get wasted.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

This tomato Mozzarella salad is a great twist on the Italian classic Caprese salad with toasted pine nuts. Tomato and mozzarella are always a great combination. The best part is this gets done in no time at all and can be kept in the fridge for days.

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Fresh Carrot Salad

Most carrot salads use only carrots and are served as a side dish. This fresh carrot salad is much more by using raisins, cranberries, nuts, and a honey-lemon vinaigrette that keeps it refreshing, light, and tastes great

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Easy Celery Salad Recipe

Celery contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, with few calories. A crunchy, slightly sweet celery salad is a great addition to any meal! Find out how to make a simple and tasty salad here.

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Avocado Salad

A creamy avocado-based salad is an easy 30-second side dish to make. It's light and refreshing. Throw in some veggies and you’ve got a quick avocado salad for lunch or dinner that you can eat on the run

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Easy Beet Salad

Beets are a healthy, inexpensive, and versatile root vegetable.  They are easy to use and taste good on their own boiled or roasted. This beet salad recipe combines the beets with a few other simple vegetables in refreshing lemon dressing.

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4. Thanksgiving main courses

In one of my tips above, I mentioned paying attention to variety and textures but also avoiding repetition. For example:

• Don't make two lamb dishes. Instead, make one lamb and one chicken or turkey.
• Also, don't make two roast dishes make one roast and the second a slow-cooked, braised, or stewed.
• And, don't forget to accommodate the people with allergies and special diets like vegetarians, vegans, etc.

Roast Chicken in Oven

Here's how to make whole roast chicken in the oven perfectly every single time. This chicken is juicy on the inside with a crisp golden skin on the outside that looks perfect on the center of any festive dinner. The best part is it's using simple and easy-to-find ingredients. Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches and wraps.

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Boneless Roast Lamb

Roast lamb may seem complicated, but it does not have to be. Here is an easy roast recipe that will win your heart and mouth in one bite. A herb marinade and honey mustard glaze make an impressive presentation to serve with family and friends.

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Roast Leg of Lamb - Garlic Butter Marinade

This is how to roast a leg of lamb perfectly every single time. With a simple garlic butter marinade, this meat is tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. Serve with a side and bread for a complete meal. Leftovers are great for sandwiches and wraps

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Boneless Leg of Lamb

This roasted boneless leg of lamb needs only 15 minutes for the marinade and less than 2 hours of roasting. Perfect for the whole family to celebrate festive dinners. Serve over mashed potatoes with or without gravy.

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Standing Prime Rib Roast

This prime rib roast or standing rib roast is seasoned with a dry spice rib marinade. Then, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and served with pomegranate gravy. The perfect roast to serve on special occasions

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Leg of Lamb (garlic herb marinade)

This leg of lamb is simple, easy, and uses my fool-proof method of roasting. If you are new to cooking meat, this is the recipe you can make to impress family and friends.

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Beef Chuck Roast

This beef chuck roast is tender, juicy, and delicious. It's cooked in the oven using a marinade made with garlic and cayenne. And, served with a gravy made with pan drippings. A simple and easy recipe perfect main dish for entertaining guests.

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Maple Roast Chicken with Fruits and Veggies

This roast chicken is flavored with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Accompanied by baby potatoes and grapes, which add a wonderful fruity flavor to the final gravy. Also, the leftover chicken, if any, makes the most delicious sandwiches and wraps.

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Roast Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Gravy

This roast leg of lamb is marinated with garlic and fresh herbs, roasted alongside baby potatoes and finished with a delicious red wine gravy. The perfect dish to make for the weekend or when entertaining family and friends.

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Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint

There is no doubt that the quickest dinner is grilled lamb chops. Marinated and served with a classic mint sauce in less than 20 minutes. Ideal for an elegant or festive dinner when you have guests. Also, the lamb can be marinated overnight leaving you enough time to take care of other things.

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Braised Lamb in Red Wine

This braised lamb in red wine, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs is slow-cooked for almost two hours until the meat is fork-tender. Serve over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles for a complete meal.

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Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Mushroom Gravy

Bacon Wrapped Chicken with mushroom gravy combines the rich flavor of bacon, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and more into one tasty entree. Today we bake it in a casserole dish with a side of skillet potatoes.

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The BEST Beef Burgundy aka Beef Bourguignon

This Beef Burgundy or Beef Bourguignon is beef pieces bathed in burgundy wine cooked long and slow with herbs and mushrooms until they are fork-tender. This ultimate comfort food can be made in the slow cooker, stovetop as well as the oven.

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Perfect Lamb Chops with Sauce (Balsamic)

These simple lamb chops with balsamic glaze get ready in less than 20 minutes. A perfect dish to make when you want something quick and easy but still elegant and holiday-worthy. Serve over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

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Beef in Red Wine

Fork-tender piece of beef cooked in a rich red wine gravy make this simple and easy recipe for beef in red wine the best dinner. Serve over steamed rice or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

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Slow Cooked Lamb with Creamy Polenta

This slow-cooked lamb is cooked to a fork-tender in a tomato and caramelized onion-based gravy with spices like cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. Today, I served it over a bed of creamy Parmesan polenta, and yet, mashed potatoes, and steamed rice would also be perfect.

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Braised Osso Buco Recipe

This Osso Buco is a fork-tender veal shank slow-cooked in the oven with red wine and a few other ingredients. A simple recipe that needs only 20 minutes to prep and about 2 hours to bake. Served over mashed potato and sides for an inviting meal.

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Easy Braised Lamb Shanks Stovetop - 2 hrs

Braised lamb shanks are delicious and fairly easy to prepare. Indeed, it’s perhaps the perfect cut for those who like their meat cooked long, fork-tender, and full of flavor. This is slow-cooked on the stovetop for 2 hours.

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Braised Lamb Shanks in the Oven

These braised lamb shanks are slow-cooked in the oven with red wine gravy. A delicious and simple recipe that needs only 20 minutes to prep and 2 hours to cook. Served over mashed potato and sides for a complete meal.

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5. Thanksgiving side dishes

Some side dishes are great to make ahead of time. For example, quiches. And, some can be made a few hours ahead like the patties and fritters. So, if possible, choose a mix of both so you are not overwhelmed at the last hour.

Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This homemade mashed potatoes recipe is rich, creamy, and easy to make in less than 20 minutes. Perfect to serve with any main course and definitely a crowd-pleaser.

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Skinny Mashed Potatoes

These skinny mashed potatoes are so much lighter than traditional mashed potatoes. Made with less butter and milk this one is creamy, buttery, and delicious. Perfect to accompany any main course from the leg of lamb, roast chicken, or fish fillets.

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Oven-Baked Carrot Sticks

The oven-baked carrot sticks are an easy way to eat heart-healthy veggies more often. Baking veggies make them sweeter and more delicious. This simple and easy recipe will have you and the family eating carrots often because they take less than 30 minutes to make.

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Crispy Corn Fritters

These little corn nuggets are soft and juicy on the inside but crisp on the outside. My simple and easy recipe for crispy corn fritters uses canned corn, a little cheese, and few other pantry staples. This kids-favorite snack is quick, easy and gets done in just 15 minutes.

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Swiss Chard Patties

Whether you call these Swiss chard patties, cakes, or fritters these make amazing appetizers or sides. This recipe is a simple and easy recipe but so versatile it can be served with any meal from breakfast to dinner. You can serve them on their own, as a snack or in sandwiches too.

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Butternut Squash Fries

Vegetables when baked, bring out their natural sweetness. This simple and easy recipe for butternut squash fries will have you making this nutritious vegetable more often than you planned. It takes less than 30 minutes and is a kids' favorite

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Spinach Potato Patties

These spinach potato patties or cakes, make amazing appetizers or sides. This recipe is a simple and easy recipe but so versatile it can be served with any meal from breakfast to dinner. You can serve them on their own, as a snack or in sandwiches and wraps too.

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Leek and Asparagus Quiche

Quiche is a perfect side dish for breakfast, brunch, or a festive meal. This quiche is made with leek and asparagus and is simple and easy. And yet, it's also a dish that can be made ahead of time. Asparagus quiche is a great way to enjoy asparagus in season. I'm using a homemade quiche crust, but ready-to-roll store-bought works just as well.

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The BEST Mushroom Quiche

This is the BEST mushroom quiche recipe made from scratch using homemade quiche crust. The filling is soft, creamy, flavored with garlic, onions, and cheese. A perfect make-ahead dish for entertaining whether it's breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

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Caramelized Onions Roasted Red Peppers Quiche

A tender, flaky, buttery homemade pie crust filled with caramelized onions and roasted red peppers. Topped with an egg custard mixture and baked until set. Perfect for brunch or entertaining family and friends.

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Garlic Sautéed Asparagus with sesame seeds

Sauteed asparagus in sesame is simple and easy to make in less than 15 minutes. It is the perfect side dish to serve with the main course such as roast chicken, roast ribs, or roast lamb. The sprinkle of garlic, lemon makes these aromatic, and refreshing.

Breadcrumb Stuffed Mushrooms

This Breadcrumb Stuffed mushroom is a super easy and simple appetizer or side dish recipe. Takes barely any time to make and the cheesy bread crumbs just melt in the mouth. The perfect way to dress a celebration or the weekend dinner table. I use large mushrooms but any size mushrooms work just as well.

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Sautéed Sesame Green Beans

This green bean dish uses fresh green beans, sesame seeds, and garlic. Sesame Green Beans are served warm and can be an entree or a side dish. This recipe is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

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Roast Potatoes(Rosemary and Lemon)

These roast potatoes are a perfect side dish to serve alongside any dinner, be it festive or weekday meal.  Flavored with rosemary and lemon these baby potatoes are especially moist and tender in just 45 minutes.

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Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes

What is the secret to making garlic roasted potatoes crispy? Here's my simple and easy method that makes them crisp on the outside while still moist and tender on the inside.

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Hasselback Potatoes

Baked Hasselback potatoes have thin, crispy edges and soft, creamy centers. They take some time and finesse to make, but the results are well worth it! The perfect side to impress guests on special occasions

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Baked Sliced Hasselback Potatoes

Baked Hasselback potatoes have thin, crispy edges and soft, creamy centers. They take some time and finesse to make, but the results are well worth it! The perfect side to impress guests on special occasions.

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Stovetop Melting Potatoes

This is the best recipe for melting potatoes in less than 20 minutes. Made on the stovetop, these are soft as a mashed potato on the inside but crisp and crunchy as baked potatoes on the outside. A great side dish with any main course.

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These roasted sweet potatoes have crisp caramelized edges with soft insides. The recipe is simple and easy to make in less than 30 minutes. Perfect to serve as a sided dish with main courses or in burritos and wraps.

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Roasted Potatoes (Lemon and Dill)

The roasted potatoes make a great side dish with any main course from a leg of lamb, roast beef, or roast chicken. Sweet red onions, zesty lemon flavor, and fresh dill perfume the potatoes beautifully.

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6. Thanksgiving bread

Of course, you can easily buy bread. And yet, if you are a seasoned cook like me, then you want to show your baking skills. In addition, a great thing about bread is that you can make it a few hours ahead of time. Also, I like to add a seasonal touch to my bread, such as pumpkin in fall, which is also perfect for Thanksgiving.

Best Cornbread Recipe

This buttery and moist cornbread recipe is light and fluffy with crisp edges and a golden crumb. Made with buttermilk in a cast-iron skillet this gets ready in less than 30 Mins. The house is filled with the wonderful aroma of cornbread which makes this the perfect dish to entertain.

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Soft Dinner Rolls - Homemade

Buttery, fluffy, and soft dinner rolls are the best to have with any main course. This bread recipe needs only 6 ingredients, 10 minutes to prep, and 20 minutes to bake with some proofing time in between

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Soft Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Add a seasonal touch using pumpkin puree to your next batch of dinner rolls with these pumpkin dinner rolls. A simple and easy recipe that creates soft, light, and fluffy bread you can eat on its own or serve with your meal.

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Whole Wheat Rolls

These whole wheat dinner rolls are light and airy and made with 70% whole wheat flour. The recipe is simple and easy to make and much healthier than most other bread rolls.

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Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

I'm giving my classic crescent rolls a taste of fall with these no-knead pumpkin crescent rolls. Soft, light, and airy made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice.

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Crusty No-Knead Bread

This no-knead bread needs just 6 ingredients, takes less than 5 minutes to combine, and 4 hours of proofing. Despite no-kneading, it has an amazing crust outside, yet light and airy texture on the inside. The best part is that it looks absolutely gorgeous and your guest won't believe you baked it.

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Challah Bread Recipe - 3 Braids

Have you been intimidated by the pretty challah? Not any more. Today, I share with you the easiest three-braid challah bread recipe you will ever make. This recipe uses just six ingredients, which are regular pantry staples and the process is surprisingly simple and easy.

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Raisin walnut bread - Whole wheat

These raisin and walnut bread are made with a combination of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. It has a lovely crust on the outside with a soft chewy texture on the inside. Perfect for breakfast or dinner.

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Yeast Beer Bread - No-Knead

This no-knead beer bread is an absolute classic. Yeast risen, filled with black and green olives this rustic bread takes only 10 minutes hands-on and 45 minutes to bake. A simple and easy basic yeast beer bread that’s versatile and can be used with many different filling variations.

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Parmesan Garlic Rolls

You must love garlic to enjoy these Parmesan garlic bread rolls. Soft, light, and fluffy bread drenched with garlic herb butter. These crescent-shaped beauties are also simple and easy to make.

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7. Thanksgiving desserts

First, you can never have enough desserts. In fact, I usually make at least two. Also, it is important to know your guests and take into account any nut, dairy, or egg allergies.

• Make two different dishes - for example, instead of making two pies, make one pie and one cake or panna cotta.
• And, use different main ingredients. Avoid two fruits. For example, if you use pumpkin in one dessert, make the second with chocolate or vanilla.

How to Make Apple Pie

Today, I share how to make an apple pie, homemade from scratch using homemade double pie crust and the perfect homemade apple pie filling made with granny smith apples.

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Dutch Apple Pie

A Dutch apple pie is also known as apple crumble pie. A buttery, flaky, homemade pie crust with an apple pie filling. And, topped with a buttery crumble topping. That's making a classic apple pie even better.

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Chocolate Pecan Pie

Need the recipe for the best chocolate pecan pie? This pie recipe makes all others pale in comparison. A pie filling made with melted chocolate and loaded with pecans in a rich buttery homemade pie crust.

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Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

Some Thanksgiving pies are finicky and time-consuming to make, but pecan pie is not one of them. Find out how to make the easiest pie with this simple recipe. Made with homemade all-butter pie crust the most delicious pean pie filling ever.

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Pecan Tart Recipe

This recipe for pecan tart features classic pastry notes like butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cornstarch, paired with Southern pecans. Often served on Thanksgiving, but is good all year round. Find out how to make one here.

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Cardamom Cake with Mocha Buttercream

Cardamom and coffee is a wonderful combination in this cardamom cake. A light and airy butter-based coffee cake delicately flavored with cardamom and nutmeg. Then, generously frosted with mocha buttercream. Perfect for a festive celebration or special occasion.

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Caramel Apple Cake Recipe with Caramel Buttercream

Apples and caramel are always a perfect match. So, celebrate this apple season with a caramel apple cake. Made with fresh apples, a hint of spice, layered with caramel buttercream and drizzled with more delicious caramel sauce. Whether you make this for a celebration or festive dinner this apple cake will have everyone talking about it for days.

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BEST Ever Pumpkin Cream Cake

This pumpkin cream cake recipe is rich, moist, and delicious. Made with whipping cream in the batter as well as in the buttercream. A light and airy butter-based cake with pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice mix. Perfect layer cake to adorn a festive dinner table, birthday cake, or to impress family and friends.

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Pumpkin Creme Brûlée Recipe

Add a seasonal touch to your next creme brûlée with this pumpkin creme brûlée. Rich, creamy, decadent made with egg yolks, cream, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

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Upside Down Pecan Cake

This upside-down pecan cake has a layer of pecans caramelized on the bottom of a light and fluffy vanilla batter. When turned upside down, the caramelized juices sink into the baked sponge. The luxury of pie and cake all in one.

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Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Tart

Celebrate the season of fall with something different this Thanksgiving. This triple chocolate pumpkin tart has three layers of chocolate both white and dark infused with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice in a homemade buttery shortcrust pastry.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

The rich flavor of pumpkin spice latte beverage in a cake makes a delicious pumpkin spice-latte cake. Frosted with maple buttercream this is a light and airy oil-based cake with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and coffee. Perfect layer cake to adorn a festive dinner table, birthday cake, or to impress family and friends.

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Creme Caramel - Flan

Creme caramel is a baked custard with a layer of clear caramel. Rich, creamy, with a velvety smooth texture; this is sheer luxury. Often, perceived as a difficult dessert to make, this is actually surprisingly easy with my video tutorial.

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Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Celebrate this holiday season with this pumpkin spice cake frosted with delicious no-butter cream cheese frosting that just melts in your mouth. A rich butter-based cake made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Perfect layer cake to adorn a festive dinner table, birthday cake, or to impress family and friends.

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Coconut Pumpkin Bundt Cake

It's the flavor of fall in this coconut pumpkin bundt cake drizzled with coconut caramel. This oil-based cake enriched with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and coconut cream is moist, light, and airy

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8. Individual thanksgiving desserts

Mini treats mean you don't need to cut and serve. Just leave them on the table so people can help themselves. Also, you can buy the tartlet shells readymade or make them yourself.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Mousse Tarts - Mini Tarts

Bite-size mini chocolate tarts make perfect desserts after a meal. These cream cheese chocolate mousse tarts are semi-homemade treats that take no more than 10 minutes to prepare when you use ready-made mini tart shells. Cream cheese based chocolate mousse in a buttery shortcrust tart shell. 

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Caramel Apple Tartlets - Mini Tarts

Sweet delicious apples in caramel sauce spiced with cinnamon then filled into buttery premade shortcrust pastry tarts. These mini-tarts or caramel apple tartlets are a must-make in fall when apples are in season.

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Chocolate Tartlets

These chocolate tartlets are buttery rich ready-to-use mini tart shells filled with my easy chocolate ganache recipe. You can make your own mini tart shells of course but these make quick and easy semi-homemade treats.

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Salted Chocolate Caramel Tartlets

These chocolate caramel tartlets are perfect bite-size, make-ahead semi-homemade treats. Made with homemade caramel sauce, dark chocolate, and ready-to-use tart shells but you can also make homemade mini tart shells.

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Chocolate Cheesecake Tarts

Adorable mini tarts filled with a rich chocolate cream cheese mixture in a buttery shortcrust pastry. These semi-homemade chocolate cheesecake tarts take only 20 minutes to make. This chocolate cream cheese tart recipe takes advantage of ready-to-use tart shells that cut preparation time by half and make entertaining a breeze

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9. After dinner drinks - Aperitif

I like to choose liquors that are delicate and help calm you down rather than strong alcohol. Of course, these are great when accompanied by hot beverages.

Baileys Irish Cream Recipe

This recipe for homemade Baileys Irish Cream makes a rich, creamy version of the cream liqueur that's similar in flavor to the commercial version. Rich, creamy, and luxurious this homemade Baileys is made with condensed milk, whipping cream, coffee, and a splash of chocolate syrup.

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Butterscotch Irish Cream Recipe

Take the classic Irish cream recipe to a whole new level with this butterscotch Irish cream. Rich, creamy and smooth, loaded with butterscotch flavor, and yet not too sweet. This is going to be your next favorite drink.

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Baileys Chocolate Martini

A martini is by far the most popular drink no matter what the variation. This baileys chocolate martini is thick and creamy made with Irish cream, vodka, a splash of espresso and dash of chocolate. It takes just 5 minutes to make, but so delicious you can’t stop drinking.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte (hot)

This pumpkin spice latte takes just 5 minutes and a few pantry staples. No more standing in long coffee shop lines. And, best of all, it's delicious. It's made with coffee, milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and honey.

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How to Make Chai Latte

This chai latte is milk tea along with chai spices made with ground ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, etc. It takes just 5 minutes to make it at home so you don't have to drive to the store every time you need a delicious latte.

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Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade hot chocolate with real chocolate is a great way to warm up from the cold. This chocolate drink is rich, thick, creamy, and chocolaty. Made with my popular homemade hot chocolate mix that uses real chocolate along with the cocoa powder.

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What do you take with you to a thanksgiving dinner?

I thought it was important to give you a few options that would be perfect to take with you if you are invited to Thanksgiving dinner. Many people take wine along with dessert.

• Choose something that travels well.
• Choose a dessert that will stay well the next day in case of leftovers.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread is light and airy; it's an oil-based sweet bread made in a loaf pan with pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. A simple and easy recipe that takes just 10 minutes to mix and 50 minutes to bake.

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Ultimate Pecan Blondies

These pecan blondies are a fun twist to the classic pecan pie. The vanilla base soaks up all the pie filling beautifully to give you a moist slice of heaven. Easier than a pie this will soon become a family favorite.

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Chocolate Pecan Squares

These chocolate pecan squares have a crisp shortcrust base with a hint of cocoa and topped with butterscotch coated pecans made from scratch. A simple and easy snack any time of the year but a great edible gift during the holidays.

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Ultimate Pecan Pie Brownies

A rich, moist, and decadent chocolate brownie baked with a pecan pie filling on top makes the best recipe for pecan pie brownies. A simple and easy recipe that's quick to mix and easy to bake in just 40 minutes.

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Best Apple Pie Cake Recipe

This delicious apple pie cake is an absolute treat and the perfect combination of my three favorite things. Syrupy apple pie filling, moist vanilla cake batter, and buttery crumble topping.

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake

This pumpkin cake recipe is a moist, light, and airy cake made with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and lots of chocolate chips. Serve with or without the glaze this cake is the perfect fall dessert.

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Easy Apple Strudel Recipe with Puff Pastry

This easy recipe for apple strudel combines puff pastry, cinnamon, sugar, and apples to create a classic Austrian favorite. This simple apple strudel recipe will give you a yummy mix of flaky puff pastry and apples.

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Easy Apple Strudel Recipe with Filo Pastry

This Easy Apple Strudel recipe is simple and delicious. The sweet apples flavored with warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon; then wrapped in filo pastry that bakes into a flaky delicious dessert you will love. The warm spices and abundance of apples in fall make this a perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or holiday celebrations. 

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Braided Apple Puff Pastry

If you love apple pie you are going to love this apple puff pastry which I love to call braided apple strudel. With my method, you will have no soggy pastry or apple juices wasted on the baking pan. A simple, easy, and impressive dessert any time of the year.

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10. Back to basics

Here are a few basic recipes you may need to create some of the dishes above.

Pie Crust Recipe

Making a homemade pie crust is easy peasy. This is my no-fail all-butter Pâte brisée recipe that always turns out flaky. Today, I show you how to make this great pie crust perfectly every single time.

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Pie Crust with Shortening

This pie crust with shortening and butter is my mom's favorite method of making pie. Rich, buttery, and flaky crust for all your pies, savory or sweet.

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Flaky Buttery Homemade Pie Crust (Pâte Brisée)

Is there anything better than a flaky buttery homemade pie crust? This is my no-fail Pâte brisée recipe that always turns out flaky every single time. The recipe is surprisingly simple and easy to make too.

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Homemade Quiche Crust

Homemade quiche crust is simple and easy to make from scratch. With just 4 ingredients, which are pantry staples, this takes 10 minutes to combine and 20 minutes to chill.

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Cookie Crust

This simple no-bake cookie crust is the perfect solution for shortening the preparation time of your favorite dessert recipes. Use it for cheesecakes, tarts, pies, but also for bars and blondies, etc.

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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix

What better way to welcome fall than a sprinkle of the fresh homemade pumpkin spice mix over your baked goods and drinks? Did you know that this spice mix needs only five basic spices you probably already have in your pantry?

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How to Make Sour Cream

Have you ever wondered how to make homemade sour cream? Today, I share with you my no-fail method along with three ways to make your own from scratch at home.

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Homemade Whipped Cream 4 Methods

You can make homemade whipped cream with just 3 ingredients in just 5 minutes? Today, I will show you 4 different methods to make your own light and fluffy whipped cream to top on anything from pancakes and waffles, to dessert cakes, cheesecakes, and drinks.

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Sweet Shortcrust Pastry aka Pate Sucree

A Pate Sucree' aka shortcrust pastry is the perfect base for many desserts, such as tarts, pies, and desserts. It's a buttery, sweet pastry with a biscuit-like crumb that just melts in your mouth. And, it is surprisingly easy to make it yourself.

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Rich Shortcrust Pastry (Pate Sablee)

A rich shortcrust pastry or Pâte Sabée as they say in French is a buttery shortbread-like crust perfect base for making sweet tarts such as fruit tarts. Today, I show you three methods to roll this pastry from scratch.

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How to Make Apple Pie Caramel Apple Pie Dutch Apple Pie Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake Caramel Dutch Apple Pie Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Cake