"In years past, my role in my family’s Thanksgiving was to provide lame jokes that served as a buffer for unwanted, awkward conversations (dating, politics, etc.) and unplanned, rather painful moments of silence. There was one year (2018, never forget) that I stepped out of my comfort zone of comedic relief and attempted to be a glorified top chef. I got up at 7 a.m. to create a Pinterest-inspired dessert layered with crushed pretzels, cream cheese frosting, and strawberry Jell-O. “How hard could it be?” I asked. And those, my friends, were my famous last words.
This 24-ounce Stanley is the take-anywhere hydration essential that’ll make an everyday appearance.
In my attempt to prove that I was more than just a gal with some good one-liners, I actually ended up staying in my lane of providing our family humor because this layered dessert was a horrific disaster. The Jell-O never solidified, the pretzels were stuck to the bottom of the baking dish, and we ended up with a floppy dessert soup that not even my grandmother could pretend to love.
The pain of Jellogate 2018 has dissolved just enough that I’m ready to be hurt again! But this year, I’m doing my research and only tackling what I know I can handle. Enter this list of easy, Ashley-approved, foolproof recipes that are bound to wow my immediate family. If you’re not kitchen savvy, have no fear—this is our year. These recipes are simple AF but will make you feel like a top chef:
1. Maple Vegan Pumpkin Pie
Source: Jessica in the Kitchen
2. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Source: Erin Clarke of Well Plated
3. Squash and Kale Salad
Source: Pinch of Yum
4. Apple Bacon Crostini
Source: Orchids + Sweet Tea
5. Beet and Ricotta Salad
Source: FoodieCrush
6. Brie Bites
Source: Erin Clarke of Well Plated
7. Sweet Potato Casserole
Source: Orchids + Sweet Tea
8. Spiced Apple Cider
Source: Grandbaby Cakes
9. Scalloped Potatoes
Source: Gimme Some Oven
10. Harvest Salad
Source: Grandbaby Cakes
11. Sausage Rolls
Source: Jehan Can Cook
12. 7 Up Biscuits
Source: Oh, Sweet Basil
13. Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
Source: Whisk It Real Gud
14. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Source: Sweet Tea and Thyme
15. Apple Crisp
Source: Ambitious Kitchen
16. Chocolate Chip Tollhouse Pie
Source: The Everygirl
17. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
Source: Oh, Sweet Basil
18. Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Source: Jessica in the Kitchen
19. No-Bake Pumpkin Chocolate Cups
Source: Jessica in the Kitchen
20. Make-Ahead Stuffing
Source: Oh, Sweet Basil