MAKE IT CUTE

The best time to get the girls out of the group chat and around the dinner table with some good eats is Friendsgiving. Unless you're a chef in the making, however, figuring out something you can bring to dinner that everyone's going to like can be pretty intimidating. We are officially putting our aprons on and rounded up dishes that will have everyone getting in line for seconds. 'Tis the season to be grateful and a master chef.

Appetizers

A classy charcuterie board

@oharramellette

If the turkey centerpiece didn't already sell you, a charcuterie board will win you some serious Friendsgiving points on aesthetic and taste. Adding in cheese, hummus and every cracker you an imagine, this all-in-one dish elevates your typical snack platter. We suggest sending a text in the group and asking for your friends' fave snacks to build a board filled with fan favorites.

Cranberry brie bites 

@delishuk

We've all been there. You're sitting at a restaurant when they bring you a warm basket of fresh bread and maybe a side of olive oil. Before you know it, you've had one too many slices and are dreading having to face your entrée. Introducing the brie bite: Aside from being ah-dorable, this small bread-meets-cheese appetizer packs a salty-sweet punch that won't entirely leave you full—AKA more room for dessert. You'll need:

+ Crescent Pastry Dough
+ Brie wheel
+ Cranberry sauce
+ Chopped Pecans (optional)

Roll out your dough, and cut it into square pieces that you can put inside a muffin tin. Then, place the brie and cranberry sauce on top. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until your pastry is golden. You can add chopped pecans for an extra crunch. Serve up on a pretty platter.

Don't have puff pastry? Nbd, you can replace it with a Ritz cracker and skip the baking process while still getting the same taste (yep, we basically just reinvented lunchables).

Entrées

Thanksgiving sliders

@soulfullymade_

Turkey's great, but for the girlies on entrée duty that might have waited a little too late to cook something up, baking a whole turkey is probably not the move. These turkey sliders bring Thanksgivingcore to an easy, tasty sandwich style. (We suggest King's Hawaiian rolls.) Put sliced turkey (lunchmeat will do in a pinch), swiss cheese and some cranberry sauce on a roll. If you wanna spice these up, you can lightly brush garlic butter on the bread first and pop in the oven to make the rolls crispy.

Salad skewers

@cleanfoodcrush

Don't be fooled: This entrée might look small, but it's actually the perf dish to add to your plate. Chop up some veggies, boiled eggs and any kind of meat (diced chicken works best!). Using a stick or these fall-inspired skewers, stack your veggies. Finally, drizzle on any dressing of your choice! Try adding mozzarella balls, tomatoes and spinach for a margherita-inspired salad skewer.

Sides

Baked mac & cheese

@sweet_tea_thyme

You just can't go wrong with mac and cheese. Whether you make your own cheese sauce and noodles or buy a box of Kraft, take this classic up a notch by baking it. After making your mac and cheese, lay it out on a deep dish pan. Sprinkle on some shredded cheese and breadcrumbs and bake in the oven. Enjoy a crunchy top and gooey center with every bite.

Serving up stuffing 

@tastesoflizzyt Grandma’s Thanksgiving, turkey stuffing recipe. #stuffing #thanksgiving ##thanksgivingdinner ♬ original sound - Tastes of Lizzy T

Would it be Thanksgiving without stuffing? This buttery, flavor-packed dish is allll comfort. Just make sure to add in eggs after mixing together dry bread cubes, chopped onion, celery and seasoning, then bake in the oven 'til golden. Cheers to a fluffy, delish treat.

Dessert

Apple pie but make it mini

@murmurs.of.ricotta

These apple pies are as fun to make as they are to eat! You'll need:

+ Dough (store-bought or homemade)
+ apples
+ Cinnamon
+Granulated Sugar

Line a muffin tin with the dough. Then, thinly slice your apple and mix with cinnamon and sugar. (We recommend using Granny Smith, since the sugar and cinnamon will complement the tart flavor.)

After everything is mixed together, put one tablespoon of the filling on the dough. With your leftover dough, cut long, rectangular strips and weave them together. Place a few strips on top of every pie. Bake until golden, then garnish with sugar and whipped cream on top.

Hint: For a unique, caramel-apple taste, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar. 

Pumpkin pie with a twist

@flashesofstyle Pumpkin Pie bites! These would be so cute for Friendsgiving or on Thanksgiving 🥮🍂🍁 #autumntreats #autumnaesthetic #pumpkinpie #pumpkinseason #thanksgivingpie #thanksgivingtreats #autumnmood #autumnvibes #fallaesthetic ♬ Amas Veritas - Alan Silvestri 

Pumpkin pie is a Turkey Day classic, but a bite-sized version is just the kind of treat to take you from dessert cliché to cooking slay. Bake or buy a pumpkin pie, then use a cylinder cooking cutter to cut out little pieces. Garnish with some pumpkin spice whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. A sweet treat has never been this easy (and delicious).

Feeling creative? You can use a pumpkin or leaf-shaped cookie cutter instead for a more aesthetic pumpkin pie (your IG feed will *so* thank you later).

What dish are you bringing to Friendsgiving? Tag us in your pics on Insta @girlslifemag!

In your cooking era? Check out these posts for more fall recipes!

🧁 5 sweet apple cider treats you need this fall
🧁 Fall in love with these delish pumpkin recipes
🧁 5 must-try Trader Joe's fall treats

Top image: @glamfettico
All GIFs via GIPHY

by Annika Chaves | 11/16/2023