Festive Holiday Recipes to Impress Your Guests

The holiday season is fast approaching, and cooks everywhere are searching for recipe ideas that will wow their guests! As the saying goes, "You eat with your eyes first," so we've come up with a few beautiful and delicious ideas to include on your holiday table this year.

1. Apple Upside-Down Cake

A delightful twist on the classic pineapple upside-down cake, this Apple Upside-Down Cake features a dense cake and tart Granny Smith apples that balance the sweetness. For a sweeter version, Golden Delicious apples are an excellent substitute that holds its shape during baking.

Ingredients

Topping

• 3 ½ Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Cake Batter

• ½ Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apple, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated (or 2 teaspoons powdered ginger)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup sour cream

Directions

Topping

1. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thick slices.
2. In a 10-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet, melt the butter and stir in the sugar until it begins to dissolve.
3. Arrange the apple slices in the skillet and sprinkle walnuts in the spaces between the apples (if using).
4. Cook the apple mixture over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes until the apples are tender and the sauce turns golden.

Cake Batter

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and ginger, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream.
4. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients and fold in the finely chopped apple pieces.
5. Carefully pour the cake batter over the cooled apple mixture in the skillet.
6. Place a jelly roll pan in the oven and set the skillet on top. Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Use a knife to loosen the edges, then invert onto a serving platter.
8. Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or at room temperature with whipped cream. Enjoy!

2. Fresh Fruit Cornucopias

Convenient and portable, these Fresh Fruit Cornucopias are a delightful addition to your Thanksgiving table! This fun way to serve fresh fruit allows guests to help themselves to their very own cornucopia.

Ingredients

• Sugar ice cream cones
• Assortment of fresh fruit (in-season is always best)
  • Grapes
  • Strawberries
  • Melon
  • Pears
  • Peaches

Directions

1. Wash and cut the fruit into bite-sized chunks.
2. Fill the sugar cones with a variety of fruit and stack them on a serving platter for a beautiful display.

We hope these simple yet festive treats will add flavor and flair to your holiday table this year. Share this post with your friends on social media to inspire them with new ideas for the upcoming holiday season!