Forget the turkey and stuffing! Leave the mashed potatoes to someone else! I’m sharing some of my very favorite appetizers, breads, desserts, and cocktails to add a creative touch to your Thanksgiving dinner. These are perfect if you’re searching for a dish to bring to a friend’s house or just looking for something fun to bake at home.

Appetizers

What is a holiday celebration without a good charcuterie board? Simple and stunning, they are always a crowd-pleaser whether you’re sharing with friends or just having dinner for one.

Fall Mediterranean Snacking Board: The best part of this board is the dips. So. Many. Dips. Paired with pita for scooping, a few fun cheeses, and fruit to round the whole thing out.

A Holiday Charcuterie Board How-To: A step-by-step guide (map included) for building your own, very classic charcuterie and cheese plate with lots of tips on how to customize and make it your very own.

Breads

Focaccia: I will never ever get tired of telling you to make focaccia. This is the easiest (and most delicious) bread in the world. Stir it together before you go to bed, wake up, stretch it out, let it rest, and bake it. That’s it.

My Everyday Challah: Challah is a great complement to any meal and the fun braiding is sure to impress everyone at your table. It can be made in one day, can be topped with all sorts of fun things, and is exceptionally delicious leftover, toasted with lots of butter.

Spiced Scallion Semolina Bread: This is also a same-day bread, filled with caramelized scallions and toasted spices. Leave the stuffing at home and bring this bread instead.

Briolata: There is nothing that says “holidays” to me like Briolata. It is the most famous family recipe and it’s been a part of every family gathering I can remember. A thick, Italian bread dough is filled with roasted garlic, Italian sausage, and lots of freshly-cracked black pepper.

Desserts

Roasted Squash Pie with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Bavarian Cream and Candied Pecans: This is the fancy version of your traditional pumpkin pie. Roasted squash subbed for pumpkin, a cinnamon-y Bavarian cream takes the place of whipped cream, and the whole thing gets topped with candied pecans. If you want to show off your baking skills, this one is for you!

Buckwheat and Black Plum Crumble: This is your very easy, very high reward Thanksgiving dessert. Make a big batch of crumble topping and sub the plums for any fruit you have laying around. Bake the whole thing until bubbly and serve with lots of vanilla ice cream.

French Apple Torte: If you aren’t interested in pie, may I persuade you with cake. This torte is very light, very easy, and the apples on top give it a very fancy feel. 10/10 would recommend.

Hawaij Snickerdoodles: These are for those people who put their Christmas tree up on November 1st. The Hawaij spice has a very autumnal feel that can easily transition into Christmas if that feels like you. And cookies are always a crowd pleaser.

Drinks

Pomegranate Sage French 75: This cocktail has bright, fruity flavors, earthy herbal components, gin, and Champagne. What more do we need? It’s a drink that can take from Thanksgiving all the way into the New Year.

Lavender Hot Chocolate: My favorite hot chocolate is thick and rich, made on the stove top with lots of homemade whipped cream. This one has lavender buds steeped into it for a fun and floral flavor and feels like being wrapped in a big warm blanket.