Month: November 2025

Posted in #Recipes

45 Apple Desserts for a Cozy Fall Season

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Shifting into autumn promises the return of our coveted fall desserts, and with the season’s prized fruit, apple desserts are the most anticipated. Their versatility is overwhelming, and toting home a bag of apples is giddying—what do you make?

We’ve rounded up our best apple desserts to help you decide. Want something classic? Our best apple pie, sugar-coated apple cider doughnuts and truly German apple strudel are textbook fall desserts. Looking for something a little more modern? That’ll be our caramel apple cheesecake, apple pear cake with cream cheese frosting or multi-layered apple crumb bars. How about something easy? Our apple cake, apple cobbler and apple crisp all have the word easy in their titles.

Our list includes all these recipes and so much more. As always, serve your apple dessert with vanilla ice cream, homemade whipped cream or salted caramel sauce. And if you’re an avid baker, I totally recommend playing around with other types of cinnamon, like Ceylon or Saigon, for more nuanced flavors.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Apple Cranberry Slab Pie

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I like to think of apple cranberry slab pie as the winter version of a summery mixed berry pie. It’s filled with four different fruits—apples, cranberries, raspberries, and the zest and juice of oranges—that are baked with sweet cinnamon and cozy nutmeg. The filling is fully encased between two flaky pie crusts with an easy, faux lattice topping so we can peek at the cranberry-colored fruits inside. The slab pie serves 15, so it can be a strong contender for anyone who attends a big Thanksgiving or holiday party every year.

Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Slab Pie

  • Pie crust dough: To make pie crust dough from scratch, take out a large bowl and whisk together 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and 2 teaspoons salt. Cut in 1-3/4 cups shortening until the mixture is crumbly. In a small bowl, whisk together a large egg, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1/2 cup ice water. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, tossing it with a fork until the dough holds together when pressed.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pie filling. Light brown sugar, which imparts a caramel-like flavor, could also deepen the sweetness a bit.
  • All-purpose flour: The fruits will expel a lot of liquid as they bake. Adding all-purpose flour to the filling thickens that liquid, turning it into a sort of glossy sauce. Don’t skip the flour or the pie filling will be a pool of liquid!
  • Apples: Tart, firm apples, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, are best for a pie filling. Always peel the apples first, then core and slice them.
  • Raspberries: Use fresh or frozen raspberries here. If using frozen, thaw the raspberries completely, then strain the excess liquid.
  • Cranberries: You can normally find fresh cranberries during late fall and throughout the winter season. Grocery stores will stock them in the refrigerated produce section, but you could also use frozen. If using frozen, thaw the cranberries completely and drain the excess liquid.
  • Oranges: Orange zest and juice brighten the pie’s flavor. You’ll need about two oranges to get 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice, although you can use orange juice from the store.
  • Spices: Nutmeg and cinnamon add to this pie’s cozy, wintery flavor. Grate your nutmeg fresh for the boldest taste, and invest in other types of cinnamon for more nuanced flavors.
Posted in #Recipes

Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’ve got a slow cooker, we’ve got a recipe you have to try! This slow-cooker ranch chicken is a comforting meal that cooks in a single pot, minimizing the number of dishes for cleanup. Creamy, flavorful and warming, it’s one of those easy chicken dinners that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

In this recipe, chicken breasts are cooked slowly until they become tender and shreddable. Cream cheese and a can of condensed cream of chicken soup are added to give the chicken a rich, creamy consistency, and the dish is served over rice or noodles. It’s a wonderful set-it-and-forget-it meal, and it’ll make you want to keep more slow-cooker chicken breast recipes within reach!

Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken Ingredients

  • Chicken broth: Use store-bought chicken broth for the quickest preparation. If you prefer to make chicken broth from scratch, it will elevate all the flavors.
  • Ranch salad dressing mix: You can find packets of this popular seasoning mix at the grocery store, or make your own ranch dressing and dip mix.
  • Chicken breasts: We call for boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can substitute boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
  • Cream of chicken soup: Condensed soup is a miracle worker for casseroles and sauces. It acts as a roux (a thickening agent) to give the sauce a thick, creamy consistency. Use store-bought condensed soup or a homemade substitute for cream of chicken soup.
  • Cream cheese: Cream cheese melts into the sauce, giving the chicken a slightly sweet flavor and an incredible texture.
  • Noodles or rice: You can serve this creamy chicken over noodles or rice; they’re both delicious. If you choose noodles, consider thick egg noodles, which will give the sauce something to stick to.
  • Optional toppings: Add a cheesy finish with shredded cheddar cheese, or boost the savory vibes with crumbled cooked bacon and chopped green onions.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

75 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers to Enjoy Before the Feast

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The kitchen is busier than ever on Thanksgiving, between pies cooling on the counter, sides rotating in and out of the oven and the turkey roasting to golden perfection. Having a spread of easy Thanksgiving appetizers helps slow the pace of the day, giving guests something to nibble before the feast. Rather than adding more stress, these recipes offer simple and quick ideas of what to serve, including many make-ahead dishes, so everyone is satisfied and the kitchen stays calm.

Whether you prefer cold appetizers, like pinwheels and veggie dips, or hot appetizers, like stuffed mushrooms and baked Brie, this collection has a recipe for every need. There are classics, like deviled eggs and bacon-wrapped shrimp, and new ideas if you want to branch out, such as cheese and crab-stuffed puff pastry bites.

If you want to make one large appetizer rather than a few smaller ones, try one of these charcuterie board ideas loaded with nuts, cheese, pickles, sliced meats, crackers or bread. It’s colorful and can be assembled in advance, so all you need to do when guests arrive is set it out, offer them a Thanksgiving cocktail and enjoy the holiday.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Aperol Spritz Cranberry Sauce

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Aperol spritz is the trendy summer sipper. As with any trend, variations abound, eventually leading to the holiday Aperol spritz that’s spruced up with cranberry sauce to bring the drink into the colder months. But what if, instead of cranberries elevating an Aperol spritz, the Italian apertif made the quintessential holiday cranberry sauce a little more sophisticated?

Aperol’s notes of orange, vanilla and floral herbs lend themselves well to cranberry sauce, which is already loaded with orange juice and zest. The pairing makes sense, and this Aperol spritz cranberry sauce is living proof. Even if your family isn’t normally a from-scratch cranberry sauce group, this elevated version will change minds. It’s a great make-ahead dish that takes only 25 minutes, start to finish, but creates an upgraded feel on Thanksgiving.

Ingredients for Aperol Spritz Cranberry Sauce

  • Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe. If using frozen, thaw the cranberries first and drain the excess liquid.
  • Orange juice: Orange juice’s sweet, tangy flavor makes it the perfect liquid to help break down the cranberries and plump up the dried cranberries.
  • Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries add a bit more texture and sweetness.
  • Sugar: Cranberries are very tart, so we need a good bit of sugar to balance out the flavors.
  • Aperol: Aperol is an Italian bitter aperitif with a clear orange hue and notes of orange, vanilla and fresh herbs. It’s the star component in an Aperol spritz.
  • Orange zest: Fresh orange zest punches up the orange flavor. Zest the orange in the same way you’d zest a lemon: Grate only the colorful outer skin without grating the bitter white pith underneath.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Candied Pecans

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Pack these candied pecans in a pretty container as a gift, or stash them away for yourself, because besides finding yourself nibbling on them as a snack, this pecan candy is handy to have around. You can pile the sugared nuts on a cutting board to accompany your favorite cheese, add some to roasted sweet potatoes or use them to top an indulgent chocolate dessert.

Fresh pecans are light and crisp, and they can be used in both decadent desserts and savory dishes. If you stocked up on pecans and want to keep cooking, try making a pecan pie or maple-pecan pork chops next.

Ingredients for Candied Pecans

  • Pecans: Pecans are obviously the main ingredient here. The crunchy pecan halves will be extra tasty when they’re baked up with a spiced sugar coating.
  • Butter: Creamy butter helps grease both cooking pans, so you’ll want to start with softened butter.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar is melted down into a caramel syrup to coat the pecans.
  • Cinnamon: Cozy cinnamon adds a little warmth to balance the sweetness of the sugar.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon of vanilla adds another dimension of flavor.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Creamed Corn

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Ultra creamy with just the right amount of sweetness, this creamed corn recipe is a special side dish worthy of holiday tables and weeknight meals alike. Made with a from-scratch white sauce and finished off with Parmesan cheese, this cream-style corn recipe can be made in under a half hour. That leaves plenty of time to tend to the dinner entree. May I suggest cozy southern comfort dishes and hearty steak recipes?

We’re counting down the top Thanksgiving recipes, and this is one of them! To join the countdown and for more fun holiday content, sign up for our Holiday newsletter!

Creamed Corn Ingredients

  • Roux: Equal parts of butter and flour are used to make a roux, the thickened mixture you’ll use as the starter for your homemade cream sauce.
  • Heavy whipping cream and whole milk: Heavy whipping cream and whole milk make your cream sauce’s rich, velvety base.
  • Sugar: Sugar sweetens the sauce, complementing the natural sweetness of the corn.
  • Salt and pepper: You’ll want just a touch of savory seasoning to balance the other flavors.
  • Frozen corn: Thaw the corn before adding it to the cream mixture to prevent the cream sauce from turning runny.
  • Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan adds its gentle nutty flavor, which tastes so good with sweet corn. Fresh cheese doesn’t have the stabilizers that bagged shredded cheese contains, which makes it superior when you need it to melt smoothly.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

30 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Everyone Will Enjoy

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Thanksgiving is a holiday all about comforting classics, including a perfectly seasoned roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole with a crispy onion topping. But when the dishes have been cleared, it’s time to bring out the fall desserts everyone has been waiting for. These easy Thanksgiving desserts take away the need to fuss with intricate latticed pies or layered cakes, but still bring the flavors you expect.

This roundup includes pumpkin, apple and pecan pies, quick puddings, fudge and frozen desserts, including homemade ice cream recipes. Each one has 20 minutes or less of prep time, and then it can be baked and cooled or chilled until it’s time to serve. With plenty of no-bake Thanksgiving desserts and make-ahead choices, it’s easy to set up a dessert spread in no time.

These simple Thanksgiving dessert recipes adapt well to different dietary needs and preferences. Use a prepared gluten-free pie crust or coconut whipped topping instead of whipped cream, so there is something for everyone. Whether you make one dessert or five, these quick Thanksgiving treats deliver all the flavors of fall, with warm spices, tart cranberries, crunchy nuts and juicy apples, while still leaving time to enjoy the company around you.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Sweet Potato Cheesecake Brownies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This delightful dessert combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the comforting warmth of sweet potatoes, all nestled atop a decadent brownie bar. These scratch-made sweet potato cheesecake brownies are a testament to the art of dessert fusion, blending flavors and textures in a way that will leave you craving more after every bite.

Perfect for any occasion, from cozy family gatherings to impressive dinner parties, these bars are a genius twist on traditional cheesecake and brownies with a nutty secret ingredient. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this easy recipe is practically foolproof as it marries sweet potatoes, cheesecake and brownies into a single, unforgettable dessert experience.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Cheesecake Brownies

  • Cake mix: One package of cake mix is the key to a sweet, cake-like undercarriage that acts as the base for your brownie bars. We used white cake mix here, but yellow or gluten-free mix works just fine too.
  • Pecans: For a bit of crunch and texture we also added toasted chopped pecans to the cake mix crust. Toasting them first gives them a nutty earthy flavor.
  • Butter: You’ll also need 1/2 cup of cold butter pats for the cake mixture. Don’t use warm butter or it won’t combine properly.
  • Cream cheese: Cream cheese is the star ingredient for the cheesecake layer in these bars. Let it soften first so it creams with the sugar and butter more easily.
  • Sugar: The sugar will make your bars sinfully sweet and give you the most delicious cream cheese icing.
  • Eggs: Room-temperature eggs are the binder for the sweet potato mixture and the cream cheese mixture, so your brownie layers stay moist.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: This is a crucial ingredient for extra-creamy bars.
  • Sweet potatoes: You can’t have sweet potato brownies without these sweet spuds. Three medium-size potatoes will produce the 3 cups of cooked mash needed for this sweet potato cheesecake brownie recipe.
  • Pumpkin pie spice: A few dashes of warming spices in a pumpkin pie blend are all you need to season these bars—and make your kitchen smell heavenly at the same time.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Cowboy Butter-Swim Biscuits

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

ve lived in the South for most of my life, but baking biscuits wasn’t common in my family’s kitchen. Instead, I’ve learned from others how to make tender and flaky biscuits that would make any Southern grandma proud. I’ve also learned that there’s more than one way to make a biscuit, from simple drop biscuits to cracker-like beaten biscuits (best eaten with a slice of salty country ham). 

My current favorite biscuits, butter-swim biscuits, are baked in a pool of butter. This rustic bread is so easy to make because there’s no cold butter to work in, dough to fold, or rounds to cut. In this recipe, I’ve swapped plain butter for cowboy butter infused with zippy lemon, grainy mustard, fresh chives, and smoky spices, making these cowboy butter-swim biscuits even more delicious than the original.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Buttery biscuits, made cowboy-style. Cowboy butter made of melted butter, whole-grain mustard, horseradish, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and other seasonings infuses these biscuits with blue-ribbon flavor.
  • They’re so easy to make. If you’ve shied away from making biscuits because they appeared too complicated, give this recipe a try. Stir together the cheesy buttermilk batter, then spread in a baking dish of melted, flavored butter, and bake. It’s that simple.
Golden, fluffy biscuits stacked together on a plate
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Key Ingredients in Cowboy Butter-Swim Biscuits

  • All-purpose flour: Measure all-purpose flour using the dip and sweep method. Stir the flour to lighten it, then scoop it out with the measuring cup, making sure to overfill it. Use the flat edge of a knife or spatula to scrape off the excess flour and level the top off. 
  • Buttermilk: Adds a tangy flavor to the biscuits and reacts with the baking soda to give them a light texture. 
  • Unsalted butter: Most biscuits, like our Southern-style biscuits, call for working cold butter directly into the dry ingredients. Butter-swim biscuits are different because the dough is placed in a pool of melted butter, absorbing it as it bakes. 
  • Seasonings: Add delicious flavor to the biscuits with whole-grain mustard, fresh lemon juice, prepared horseradish, fresh herbs, and savory spices. 
  • Cheese: Toss shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the dry ingredients. Other cheese, like Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or smoked provolone can be substituted. 

The Kitchn