Today I wanted to take the time to do a little bit different of a post, I shared a picture of my Cranberry Cake on Instagram recently and got a few messages asking for the recipe. Since Thanksgiving is coming up I thought I would share a few of my favorite things to make for Thanksgiving – I hope you enjoy these recipes and give them a try!
I have yet to tackle the entire Thanksgiving meal on my own just yet, so whatever I make for the holiday is generally desserts, appetizers or side dishes. Bonus – I have included some wine pairings as well!
Also, sneak preview – I am going to be doing a holiday outfit guide coming up next !
Cranberry Cake
Recipe from Bare Feet In The Kitchen
I ALWAYS make this cranberry cake to bring wherever I go on Thanksgiving. Technically it is considered a Christmas Cranberry Cake, but anything with cranberries in it works perfect on Thanksgiving in my opinion!
Ingredients:
3 Eggs
2 Cups of Sugar
3/4 Cup of Butter – softened
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Cups of All Purpose Flour
12 oz. Fresh Cranberries
Instructions:
– Preheat oven to 350*
– With a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until it is slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should almost double in size. The eggs work as your leavening agent in this recipe, so don’t skip this step! This mixture should form a ribbon when you lift the beaters out of the bowl.
– Add the butter and vanilla, mix for an additional two minutes.
– Stir in the flour until just combined.
– Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout
– Spread in a buttered 9×13 pan
– Bake for 40-50minutes or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean
– Let cool completely before cutting into small 1″-2″ pieces
Apple Pie Streusel Bars
Recipe from Just a Pinch
Confession: I make these bars year round, but, they are so perfect for Thanksgiving !
Ingredients:
Crumb Pastry:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powered
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1 egg, beaten
Apple Filling:
4 cups granny smith apples, peeled and sliced (about 4)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 heaping teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of cloves
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
Instructions:
– Preheat oven to 350*
– Crust: Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Cut in butter (you can use a blender, pastry blender, forks, etc) until you have pea sized crumbles. Gently mix in beaten egg.
– Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray. Gently press about 2/3 of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
– Filling: In a large bowl combine sliced apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Toss to combine, until apples are well coated. Spread apples onto crumb pastry crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture evenly over the top of the apples slices. Bake for 45-55 minutes.
– If doing glaze cool cake completely. Glaze: In a small bowl whisk together powdered sugar, extract, and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars and allow to harden.
Cranberry Brie Mini Tart
Recipe from Fox and Briar
Can you tell I am a fan of cranberries? These little tarts are perfect! I always have to make multiple batches of this recipe for everyone.
Ingredients:
12 Frozen Mini Phyllo Cups
6 Teaspoons Triple Cream Brie
6 Teaspoons of Cranberry Sauce – Homemade or Jarred
Instructions:
– Preheat oven to 350*
– Place the phyllo cups in a mini muffin tin
– Fill each cup with about ½ teaspoon of brie
– Bake for 10 minutes, until cups are golden and cheese is melted
– Remove from oven and top each cup with ½ teaspoon cranberry sauce
– Finish by lightly seasoning with fresh ground pepper (optional)
Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Recipe From Six Sisters Stuff
Who doesn’t enjoy Spinach and Artichoke Dip, right?! I LOVE this recipe, I am a sucker for anything in the crock pot. I put this on a few hours before we plan on leaving the house. It does all the work for you and when you are ready to leave just bring your crock pot with you and put it on warm when you arrive to your destination!
Ingredients:
1 (10 oz.) bag fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (you could also use fresh)
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 cup milk
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, cubed
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
– Spray a slow cooker (I used a 4-quart slow cooker) with non-stick cooking spray.
– In a large bowl, mix together spinach, artichoke hearts, sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, garlic, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and milk. Add salt and pepper as desired. Dump into your slow cooker.
– Place your cubed cream cheese on top of spinach/artichoke mixture, spread out as evenly as possible.
– Cook on high for 2 – 2 1/2 hours (or low for 3-4), just until ingredients are cooked through and the cream cheese is melted. Mix in the cream cheese keep dip on “warm” setting until eaten. Serve with crackers, bread, or vegetables.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
No time to make a dish? No problem! Show up with a bottle or two of wine that will pair perfectly with the meal and you will sure to be the favorite this holiday!
White Wine:
Pinot Grigio – An easy to drink white wine that is capable of handling garlic and onions, herbs and rich flavorful, high – fat dishes. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
Look for these: Ava Grace, Santa Margherita & Colimoro Alto Adige
Viognier – Want to bring a lesser known wine to your Thanksgiving and blow everyone away? This is the wine for you. Viognier (pronounced “vee oh n’yay”) pairs great with a roasted main dish – aka your turkey. This wine is seen mainly in France, but I get so excited when I find this varietal in a non- French wine such as Virginia and New Jersey.
Look for these: Andrew Murray Vineyards, Casillero del Diablo & Domaine De La Baume.
Riesling – This white wine can be either very dry or fairly sweet, and is excellent with a variety of dishes from spicy, sweet or salty. This wines innate flavors of apple, apricot and honey are perfect for pairing with sweet potatoes, turkey and the herbs and spices in your stuffing.
Look for these: Clean Slate, Arthur Metz & Chateau Saint Michelle.
Red Wine:
Pinot Noir – This red wine is a traditional Thanksgiving favorite, it is subtle and earthy in flavor and often has hints of mushroom and fruit notes. This helps for pairing with a variety of traditional thanksgiving flavors, especially turkey and stuffing
Look for these: Truett Hurst, Noble Vines & Bogle.
Syrah – The Syrah grape can bring a spicy edge or meaty character to the table. It has notes that are prevalently peppery.
Look for these: Mont Gras, Cono Sur & Charles & Charles.
Beaujolais Nouveau – This is your red lesser known wine option for Thanksgiving. This varietal is a light and fruity red wine. It is released on the third Thursday in November, just in time for your celebrations.
Look for these: Georges Duboeuf, Trenel & Jean Foillard.
I hope you enjoyed this Thanksgiving inspired blog post and let me know in the comments if you try any of the recipes or wines I have included!
xo Kait.
*Please always remember to drink responsibly.
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