Clear the Mind, Fill the Stomach

Talk about quite a month. November has been a wild ride. And I think we’ve all earned a bit of a break. (Feel free to forward this message to your boss to officially take a load off early this week.)

So while the holidays come with their own chaos, Thanksgiving is a pretty easy time to relax (as long as you’re not hosting), whether that’s with family or friends. Also, here’s a reminder to offer to help those who are hosting throughout the day.

For me, I’ll ask my parents, though I’ve already been assigned some duties for the day as a helping hand to the well-experience pair who have hosted decades of holidays.

And this year we’re light, which is a weird change of pace, but at least we get to choose everything we want to eat. Mix in some Turkey Day classics with some newbies for starters, sides and desserts.

It’s almost a weird amount of openness with a full day of just us. Who knows what new traditions may come from it. (Fingers crossed for a successful whole turkey this year. Last year’s spread below. Honorable mention: turkey legs, as discussed last week 🤞)

Last year, I turned a full day off into a full day of baking on Thanksgiving Eve. Safe to say, my parents were thrilled to have me take over the kitchen all day long the day before, and even less thrilled on using the already limited fridge space.

This year, I’m taking the “act now, apologize later” approach and still baking the day before. (Mom, if you’re reading this… I have it under control and planned out.) I have a few more longer bakes under my belt and a good timeline going.

What’s Cookin’

Thanksgiving is often a time for everyone to cook or bake, whether that’s for Friendsgiving or at home for the holiday itself. And every year, I hear people say “I can’t make anything good” or “I don’t even know where to start.”

A great part about the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving, is that it’s the perfect time to go for it. Indulge in what sounds good to you. Share it with others. And you’ll start your list of go-to treats.

So while I turn to a few classics and a mix of new twists, I have to share some treats that anyone from little-to-no experience to the great at-home cooks would love.

Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake

Dive into fall flavors to add something that isn’t pumpkin or apple pit to the mix. Don’t have a loaf pan? Go for a baking dish. Don’t get confused by “doughnut”, “loaf” and “cake” all used to describe this dessert. This loaf cake takes the cake if I were to add in some cake to the final course.

Snickerdoodles

I’m a sucker for a good snickerdoodle any day that ends in Y, but I just recently realized they’d be a perfect addition to the pies, cakes and bars. I’ve made this recipe before, and I’m being reminded I need to do it again soon.

Mini Pumpkin Pie (No Bake) Cheesecakes

Yup, you read that right: no bake. Throw these down on the table for dessert, and you know people will be coming back for seconds. It’s not going to offend Aunt Susan’s “classic” pumpkin pie, but this crowd-pleaser is just the tipping off point of different variations moving forward.

I’d love to see some thanksgiving spreads or desserts. Whatever you make or what your plate looks like. And a big shoutout to the leftovers. A Fogel family Friday traditions is our own version of the Gobbler – stuff all the Thanksgiving classics in a nice hoagie roll. That’s the winner winner turkey dinner. Also, a final reminder that you’ve earned a good break.

Enjoy your Turkey Day ✌️