Thanksgiving is the premiere holiday for food lovers. After all, when else are you making a multi-course feast with all of the best comfort foods? And a new study shows that if there aren’t any leftovers to enjoy as a result, more than half of people believe the holiday is ruined.
A study conducted by OnePoll, on behalf of Stasher surveyed 2,000 Americans about their Thanksgiving meal preferences. Turns out, leftovers are a really big deal, since more than two-thirds said they taste better than the original meal. And 35% of respondents eat the leftovers for five days or more after the initial meal!
Most people (72%) prepare their holiday feast with the intention of having leftovers. But what’s the best way to enjoy them? Respondents mentioned Turkey Tetrazzini, breakfast potato pancakes, a casserole, or even stuffing everything into an avocado.
Finally, pumpkin pie is delicious, but many people believe it shouldn’t be eaten any other time of year except during the holidays. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s a bit more versatile, we have 38 non-pie options for your consideration!
— Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska, Pexels
Time to gobble up some new donuts! Krispy Kreme’s latest round of seasonal donuts celebrates Thanksgiving flavors with a fun twist. Pie lovers in particular are in for a treat!
Now until Nov. 25, you can try out four new donuts from your local Krispy Kreme. The Pecan Pie Donut is dipped in butter tart filling and sprinkled with candied pecans and pie crust crumbles. The Cranberry Orange Donut is filled with cranberry, dipped in cranberry orange icing and finished with a sweet drizzle. And the Dutch Apple Pie Donut is packed with apple pie filling, dipped in caramel icing and topped with cinnamon.
But our favorite might be the Gobbler Donut, which is almost too cute to eat. It’s a heart-shaped pastry dipped in chocolate icing and decorated to look like a turkey! Don’t forget the pretzel legs for the perfect finishing touch.
As always, you can order delivery, pickup or grab your donuts in person. Krispy Kreme is also offering a special Thanksgiving Dozen box that features three of each new donut. You can even add a customized message of gratitude and make someone’s day extra sweet.
Dreading dinner? It’s time to get cooking with a little magic!
Le Creuset has just dropped the ultimate collection for Potterheads and it includes everything from Golden Snitch-themed dutch ovens to a Hedwig pie bird. Available at Williams Sonoma, the cookware collab adds to the growing lineup of Hogwarts and Harry Potter-inspired products that start at $17 and have you covered in the kitchen. Keep scrolling to see the newest release!
Are you on dessert duty this year? Before you start fretting, head to your local Trader Joe’s and stock up on all the holiday sweet treats the grocer is known for. Whether you’re looking for a delectable pastry you can keep in the freezer or want to get a little more creative with a boxed mix, the neighborhood market is all about saving your holiday dessert this year.
Thanksgiving Pie Chocolate Truffles
It can be hard to please everyone's sweet tooth, but not with this fun Thanksgiving Pie Chocolate Truffle pack. Flavors include Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Caramel Pie and Silk Mousse Pie for just $4.
These sweet and flaky tarts are the epitome of holiday flavor. Perfect to bring as a last minute dessert to a party or as a sweet gift to a friend, we bet these would taste phenomenal warmed up with a cup of coffee.
Grab in the bakery aisle for $5.
Cranberry Orange Bars
Move over lemon bars, these cranberry babies are here for the season. Made on a sweet shortbread then topped with cranberry puree and sweetened orange peel, this made the perfect post-dinner sweet.
Trader Joe's elegant Tiramisu Torte is a show stealer. Made with a layer of coffee-soaked sponge cake and a layer of frozen mascarpone, it's topped off with a bit of chocolate and covered in cocoa powder.
You'll find this classy dessert in the freezer aisle.
Pumpkin Cobbler
Tired of pumpkin pie? Pumpkin cobbler to the rescue! Skip slaving in the kitchen and grab this delectable dessert that's made with pumpkin filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove.
If cranberry isn't your thing, there's nothing wrong with sticking to a classic apple tart like this one. This simple dessert is made with crisp apples and topped with almonds and sugar that would go great alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It's hard to please everyone when it comes to food, and that's where Trader Joe's Sweet Bites come in. Made in France, the box of 12 with three flavors includes Chocolate & Coffee “Opera” Cake, Raspberry “Macaron Aux Framboises” Cake and Caramel & Chocolate Cake and has a little something for everyone.
You can find this sweet treat in the freezer section.
When all else fails, just grab a dessert you know the kiddos will love! This adorable turkey trot kit comes with everything you need to whip up your own adorable turkey.
Tradition is the name of the game when you pick up TJ's frozen Pumpkin Pie. The classic dessert is always a winner and is made with velvety pumpkin and best served with a large dollop of whipped cream.
Feed a crowd for just $5.99 with this pie that is found in the freezer aisle.
Dessert was never easier! This holiday, grab a few cartons of Trader Joe's festive pumpkin ice cream, and toss in a few extra toppings like gingerbread or shortbread cookies to make it extra fancy.
Shop plenty of flavors in the freezer aisle at Trader Joe's.
Listen up Blizzard fans: tomorrow you can order your favorite treat and support a good cause! Miracle Treat Day is October 28 and gives back to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
To participate, head to your local DQ restaurant and order any Blizzard. In return, $1 or more will be donated to benefit local children’s hospitals. It’s a longtime charitable sponsorship through DQ and it’s a simple (and delicious) way to help out kids in need.
Download the DQ App to learn more and get reminders, or get more info online. You’ll learn more about how the money raised supports various hospital initiatives, including the purchase of a multisensory machine, the expansion of a pet therapy program and the installation of a therapy pool. Grab a Pumpkin or Pecan Pie Blizzard for the whole family tomorrow!
What if you could make Cinnamon Toast Crunch even better? That’s what General Mills is promising this fall and it sounds absolutely delicious. Apple Pie Toast Crunch will be hitting store shelves for the first time ever next month, plus a couple other seasonal favorites!
Using the crunchy whole wheat and rice cereal base of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, the new cereal will offer the taste of apple pie in every bite. Ready to up the ante? General Mills recommends mixing it with Dulce de Leche Toast Crunch to create a caramel apple in your bowl.
But if you’re ready to skip straight ahead to the holidays, you’ll love this next piece of news. Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch and Elf Cereal are coming back to a store near you! The Elf in particular sounds amazing: it’s maple flavored cereal with four new marshmallow shapes in candy, candy corn, candy cane and syrup.
You’ll be able to scoop all of these cereals starting in early October at retailers nationwide. Boxes will retail at $2.50 each for a midsize, or $3.50 for a family size. The most important meal of the day is getting a serious upgrade!
Chocolate and peanut butter are obviously a match made in heaven. But what if you could add a little caffeine to the mix? With the new Reese’s Iced Coffee from International Delights, now you can!
It’s made with real milk and cream plus the iconic flavors of a Reese’s peanut butter cup. This one is really taking flavored cold brew to the next level. Talk about the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!
You can buy a 64 ounce carton for a suggested retail price of $3.99 starting in October. Even better news: it’s a permanent addition to the International Delight lineup of iced coffees! All you have to do is pour and enjoy (just keep it away from the kids).
Greek food is one of the most family-friendly cuisines from around the globe. Often light but filling, traditional recipes for Greek food involve flaky dough, meat and lots of citrusy lemon. If you’ve been trying to find new ways to mix up dinner, keep reading for simple kid-friendly Greek food recipes everyone will enjoy.
Before you can go any further, you have to have a good Greek Tzatziki recipe in your repertoire! This easy recipe from Jo Cooks involves everything you need to get that bright, refreshing flavor, and pairs with everything from pita to gyros.
Make that quick switch away from french fries with this zesty recipe from Super Golden Bakes. Greek lemon potatoes are light and crispy, made in a casserole dish on the stove and will quickly become a kid-friendly side.
You can skip the lettuce when preparing a traditional Greek salad. Instead, authentic versions load up on fresh, large cut veggies, kalamata olives, a huge chunk of feta and olive oil. We love the easy version over at Gimme Some Oven that's so simple, the kids can help out, too.
Lamb is a main feature in Greek cooking and these meatballs make the introduction to your kids a breeze. Kay Nutrition whips up her version with red onion and lots of other household spices, then serves with a refreshing side of tzatziki.
Skip the frozen spanakopita and make your own! This veggie-stuffed appetizer dish is actually not that difficult to make. With this recipe from Feel Good Foodie, you'll be whipping up this flaky, spinach-y snack in no time.
Move over french fries, Greek Potato Balls have arrived. This recipe from My Greek Dish turns potatoes, cheese and herbs into fluffy fried balls that you won't be able to stop eating.
A great way to hide those veggies, Greek Baked Orzo packs in the goodness easily. Pinch of Yum's recipe includes tasty food like kale, tomatoes, orzo and of course, feta cheese!
Greek chicken souvlaki can easily become a dinner staple. The kebab-style meal uses ingredients like lemon, yogurt and olive oil to marinate the chicken, then grill to get that perfectly-charred flavor. Check out Rasa Malaysia's recipe for a simple start to souvlaki.
Greek zucchini fritters are so good, you'll want to pass up American fried zucchini forever. Fried into either balls or a latke shape, Gitanjali Roche's recipe incorporates zucchini, feta and other fresh herbs that make this dish irresistible.
Greece's most popular pie is the Tiropita, or feta cheese pie. It's similar to spanakopita, but without the spinach. To get started on this flaky dish, check out Olive Tomato's recipe that will have you rolling out phyllo stat.
No Greek meal is complete without a slice of baklava. And while the layered dessert may seem difficult, it actually requires just a few ingredients and a little patience. Kids will love the sweet flavor and counting all those layers. Check out Spatula Desserts to see how easy it is!
Apple season is upon us, which means you might find yourself with an abundance of apples. We love the idea of doing some at-home apple science with the kids, but we also love to eat them! So we’ve gathered up a bunch of sweet and savory recipes that make use of fall’s best fruit, from apple pie to chicken salad to apple crisp. Grab a bag of Galas and read on to get this party started. Oh, and don’t forget your apple peeler!
We love the idea of adding apples to coleslaw, courtesy of Salt & Lavender. The apple adds a punch of tartness, and the slaw goes great with pork, tacos and sandwiches. Click here to get the recipe.
Chicken salad is one of our favorite easy lunches, and this version from The Gluten Free Gathering is a total winner. It’s got the perfect mix of sweet, savory and crunchy elements, and it’s good for you too! To see the recipe, click here.
Apple Chicken Cheddar Galette
iStock
Good news: Honey and Birch has your new fave dinner recipe. It looks fancy, but it's super simple, and the kiddos will love that it’s cheesy too. And if you don’t have the time to make your own pie dough? Try store-bought … we won't tell.
Give your after-school snack an apple upgrade! These apple chips from The Viet Vegan are a healthy way to fuel up and way better than the store-bought version. Plus, they’re easy to make and will disappear in a blink.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the tastiest—like this twist on toast from Food Banjo. It’s got peanut butter, a spread of apple slices, and a drizzle of honey that takes things up a notch. Perfect for breakfast or a truly memorable snack.
Your breakfast never looked so good! The View from Great Island combines baked apples with oatmeal, and tops it all with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop of yogurt! The result is hearty and oh-so-delicious.
What do you get when you combine apple cake, vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle? You get this delicious recipe from Honey and Birch. The cake is a snap to make, and you can even use store-bought caramel.
Cookies for breakfast? Yep, you can totally pull it off thanks to this recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen. These little bites are loaded with whole grain oats, apples and cinnamon and make a delicious quick breakfast or healthy snack.
Get ready for the easiest, most apple sticky buns ever! A Taste of Madness uses Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, apples and some extra cinnamon goodness to make the most delicious and decadent dish your brunch menu has ever seen.
How cute is this cake from Perchance to Cook? Get the little ones involved in stirring together the batter and arranging the apple slices on top. An added bonus: it’s gluten free for sensitive tummies and paleo for diet-minded parents.
Everybody loves chocolate bark, and this version from Scrummy Lane goes above and beyond with dried apples and honeycomb sprinkled on top. It’s not just a great dessert—it also makes an impressive gift! Did we mention it’s easy to make?
Take your grilled cheese to the next level by sneaking thinly sliced apples and blueberry jam inside—the little ones will love the salty-sweet combo. Pair it with a bowl of tomato soup for a zero-fuss weeknight meal. Click here to see the full recipe.
We love how this simple cider recipe from Baker Bettie uses a Crock Pot for extra simplicity—and how it makes the whole house smell like yummy cinnamon, nutmeg and other fun fall spices.
Warm up with a hearty combination of seared pork chops, mashed potatoes and kale, all tied together with an apple cider glaze. To grab the recipe, click here.
When boxed pancake mix just won’t cut it, try these impossibly fluffy and spice-filled pancakes. For extra credit, mix up some apple cider syrup to drizzle on top. Hop over to The Cozy Apron to snag the recipe.
This recipe from one of our favorite food bloggers, Katie Sullivan Morford of Mom's Kitchen Handbook, is surprisingly simple—you don't need to peel the apples before cooking (the skin provides added fiber!) and the ingredient list is short and sweet. Find the recipe here.
Put that homemade applesauce to good use! These tasty muffins from Chef Jen Carden of Playful Pantry are guaranteed to put a smile on your kiddo's face. You can rest easy, too, knowing that the treats are chock full of nutrients.
Can you keep a secret about these delicious apple turnovers? They’re a breeze to put together thanks to frozen puff pastry. Check out the full recipe by clicking here.
No one can resist a hot ham and cheese sandwich—but why not add a little extra flair by throwing some apple slices into the mix? Eclectic Recipes dreamed this one up, and we can't wait to try it out for our next family lunch!
Pair your fresh apples with frozen strawberries for a fun twist on the usual apple crisp. Mini chefs can get involved in hand-mixing the crumble topping and sprinkling it on the fruit. To get the recipe, click here.
We can’t resist a good slow cooker recipe, and this yummy chicken dish is no exception. Barbecue sauce, apples and bacon come together to make an awesome dish that the whole family will love. Click here to get the full recipe.
Skip the sugar-laden boxed fruit snacks, and make your own fruit leathers with an applesauce base. They're the perfect on-the-go treat! Get the full instructions by clicking here.
The littles will go crazy for these delicious bites from A Simple Pantry. Stuffed with apples and oats and topped with a mouthwatering caramel glaze, they’ll be gobbled up in minutes.
Warm up with a bowl of this soup from Frugal Mom Eh. The tart McIntosh apples make for a perfect contrast with creamy cheese and hearty veggies. Take it a step further, and toss a bit of crumbled bacon sprinkled on top. Bon appétit!
If you want the essence of fresh apple pie without the struggle of making that impossibly flaky crust, these Johnny Appleseed bars from Eats Well With Others are for you. The moist, delicious cake-pie hybrid will have everybody begging for seconds.
Pop some apples, cinnamon and nutmeg in a slow cooker, and by the end of the day, your house will smell heavenly. Even better? You'll have some tasty apple butter to slather on toast, mix into yogurt or eat by the spoonful. Hop over to My Baking Addiction to get the recipe.
Whip up a batch of this granola from The Balanced Berry on a Sunday afternoon to make busy weekday mornings a breeze. Serve this crunchy combo of nuts, apples and spices on top of yogurt and head out the door in no time.
Just say yes to salad! This idea from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog includes quinoa, pecans and spinach—but we think it’s the apples that really give it that extra delicious kick.
It’s always ice cream season, even when the temperatures start to drop. Chilly temperatures are no match for DQ, thanks to a fun new fall roster of blizzards and a sweet new giveaway. Yes, there’s a sweater vest involved!
If you’ve always dreamed of owning an article of clothing that’s perfect for carrying a blizzard, you’re in luck. DQ is giving away a limited edition “Sweeter Vest” that includes a pocket for the treat and a separate smaller pocket for the accompanying spoon! Vests are first come, first served and totally free, so make sure to bookmark this page and enter starting at 9 a.m. ET on September 15.
What to carry in your new vest? A pie blizzard! You’ll no longer have to debate whether pumpkin or pecan is the best pie flavor, because you can buy both with a DQ spin. The new Pecan Pie blizzard features brown sugar pie pieces and caramel and the Pumpkin Pie blizzard has real pie pieces and is topped with whipped cream.
But if you’re not really a pie person, not to worry. Look for two more new blizzards on the seasonal menu: Reese’s Pieces Cookie Dough and Sea Salt Toffee Fudge. The first one includes chocolate chip cookie dough and Reese’s Pieces blended together and the second has real salted toffee pieces.
All of the treats are available now for a limited time. Head to your nearest DQ or place an online order to get your ice cream even faster! And with any luck, hopefully you can tote it around in your own Sweeter Vest very soon.
