thanksgiving roundup

As you are planning your Thanksgiving menu, my priority is mostly focused on the dessert table. Is there a good balance of pumpkin, apple and chocolate desserts? Is there a nice mix of cookies, cakes and pies? My rule of thumb for the amount of desserts to serve is this: how many side dishes are you serving= how many desserts you should have. So, if you have 5 sides (gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans and rolls) then you need to have an equal amount of desserts. I know this math is horrible for the waistline (and wonderful for your taste buds) but if you only have little amounts of everything then it's not so bad, right? Right.  

So here are six desserts that should be on your dessert table:

1. 

~ These soft pumpkin cookies with brown sugar pecan frosting have all the flavors of fall and are easily devoured. 

2. 

~ This chocolate ganache pie is rich, silky and would be amazing next to the typical pumpkin and apple pie. Bonus: it can be made the day before and assembled right before serving.

3. 

~ If you're not a fan of apple pie (admittedly I'm not) then this quick n' easy apple crisp is the answer. Again, this can be assembled ahead of time and baked right before serving. Top with some vanilla ice cream and you're done.

4.

~ Maybe you don't love the texture of pumpkin pie, then this pumpkin buttermilk bundt cake is the solution. Make it the day before Thanksgiving, to give yourself a break on the day of, and you'll be amazed at how moist and flavorful it still is.

5. 

~ The chocolate chips in these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are a stroke of genius. Chocolate and pumpkin= love.

 6.

~ These pumpkin cheesecake turnovers use puff pastry, so if you're not crazy about pie crust, this flaky pastry is right up your ally. 

*And a bonus tip:

~ Whether you do or don't serve any of the above desserts, homemade whip cream is a must. Unfortunately for homemade whip cream, it falls flat fast. If you stabilize whip cream then you can make it in advance and it'll still hold it's shape when you're ready to serve. Happy Baking!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

or to those celebrating two Holiday's today....

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Thankfully Flawless at the Thanksgiving table

Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, Lea Michelle

Usually it's about you and not the turkey, but Thanksgiving might be the only exception. Nothing is more unattractive than lipstick on your turkey. Ew. Let’s keep it real and let’s keep it simple at the Thanksgiving table (take note from the lovely ladies above).

Thanksgiving is not the time to wear a bold lip. Do you really want to worry about your whole look wearing off after the appetizer and the eating marathon has only just begun? No, you don't. This is a great time to play off your eyes and wear a little more eyeshadow and liner than you normally do. Grab one of these bronze-y brown palettes and do a slightly more dramatic eye with a smudgy brown liner and lots of mascara.

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Pair this eye look with a softer lip that, when faded, won't wash you out. This kind of advanced preparation should help you avoid saying,"where did all my makeup go?" when you pass a mirror. A pale pink lip stain from Tarte or one of these gorgeous nudes from Hourglass should do the trick.

Tarte/ Hourglass

Add some peachy blush and you’ll feel polished and pretty even while you’re stuffing your face.

Portable Thanksgiving Desserts

If you're lucky enough to be invited somewhere for Thanksgiving, chances are you're not cooking the big bird. You're probably tasked with bringing a side dish and/or a dessert. Traveling with desserts can sometimes be tricky (oh the memories of delivering wedding cakes!) especially if it is layered or temperature sensitive (like keeping a cheesecake cold or a molten chocolate cake hot). Cookies and bars are always a safe traveling companion and the Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Pecan Frosting or Raspberry Cinnamon Twist Rugelach or Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars would be perfect, easy additions to the meal. Well in case you're not sure what to make, here are some other portable desserts that would be a big hit at the Thanksgiving table. 

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I really do love magic bars and with the addition of pumpkin they are a nice, festive twist. Plus, anything in a bar can just be brought in the original pan. Let them cool completely before cutting and serving.

I love the idea of individual hand pies and these are an adorable twist. There's no real recipe for this- I just saw the picture on Pinterest and made them, one time. I used store-bought pie dough and cut it into the heart shapes. Then I mixed room temperature cream cheese, some sugar and vanilla (just until it's sweet) and chopped up strawberries. Create little pockets of the cream cheese and strawberries by placing the pie dough on top and pinching the sides together. I sprinkled a little coarse-grain sugar on top and then baked until golden. Transport them flat on a baking sheet or in a box.

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Aren't these apple tarts the cutest? You could cut out thawed puff pastry (which I prefer over pie dough anyways) into a fun shape, or just do a circle. Slice with some crisp apples and sugar, then bake until golden. Once cooled, just lay flat in a baking pan or box for easy transportation. When serving, add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce (or both!). 

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This is basically a regular chocolate chip cookie dough recipe with store-bought caramels, cut up into little cubes, mixed into the dough and a sprinkling of sea salt on top to finish. I made these for work a long time ago and thought they were decent, but my co-works still talk about them & request them. Just store them in a plastic container to keep them from drying out, then bring a pretty plate to arrange them on before serving.

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I mean really. Nutella. Rice Krispy Treats. Should I have to explain why you should make these? First of all, Rice Krispy Treats are super easy to make and always a favorite. And you just can't go wrong with Nutella. Transport these the same way you would the bars- leave to cool in the pan and then cut and serve, or display on a separate platter.


Besides traveling like champs, all of these desserts could either be made the day before, or at least prepped in advance. Do you know what you're making yet for a Hanukah/Thanksgiving dessert?