Thanksgiving dessert poll (choose as many as you want)

[noodleoo]

If only 2 of you are cooking for 17 people, screw them and make what you want! Other people can pick up a dessert from the grocery store to bring if they want something else. Even the people who are traveling, dessert is easy.

But also, those sound delicious!

[StrawberryBlondie]

I would be unhappy... Because I don't like pumpkin or pecans. So I wouldn't partake if they were each individually pumpkin or pecan either. In concept they sound fine though.

I do agree that if you're the one cooking, you get to call the shots unless there's dietary restrictions though. If I felt cheated out of a dessert, I'd just make what I wanted at home after.

[lahoagie]

I don’t like pecans but I also am not a big desert person so it wouldn’t bother me and if anyone complained they should be slapped.

[sonrisa]

The complainers are [people] whose complaints about food I regularly ignore. (90% of the time when they complain about food they end up loving it).

I wanted some adult perspectives before writing them off.

@pixystix: Could you delete this? I meant to post this thread in ML (because of the @ who spurred my question) and now can't seem to delete the thread?

[StrawberryBlondie]

One thing I've learned as the designated dessert maker for my family's holidays as well as DH's... People have really strong opinions about nuts in desserts and if you're anti, their presence ruins the dessert.

[icedcoffee]

@@@those don’t seem super kid friendly and I like to have at least 1 kid friendly dessert on holidays for bribing purposes. I would make something more kid friendly.

Kind of related: 2 years ago my aunt skipped Christmas cookies and served baklava on Christmas and I will never let her live it down. It was so fucking sad.

[ECB]

I don’t like pecans and neither does DS. FIL is making a pumpkin pie with a pecan crust specifically because DS is gluten free. We’re getting another pumpkin pie with a normal gluten free crust.

[sonrisa]

Thanks for all the feedback! (I meant to put this in ML. sorry for the @ references)

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 21, 2023 18:22:10 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Those don’t seem super kid friendly and I like to have at least 1 kid friendly dessert on holidays for bribing purposes. I would make something more kid friendly.

Kind of related: 2 years ago my aunt skipped Christmas cookies and served baklava on Christmas and I will never let her live it down. It was so fucking sad.

Was it at least good baklava?

[jlt19]

I would only be sad if there was a traditional dessert you usually make and don’t in lieu of this.

My mom always makes a chocolate chess pie and my sister makes pumpkin pie. I like neither, so don’t worry about dessert on Thanksgiving.

But on Xmas, my sister makes a few types of cookies and if she all of a sudden decided to stop making them and make a pie instead I would be devastated. I need my annual spritz. And yes, only she can make them because she is the only one that has the press from our grandma and they HAVE to be from that press. It’s the law.

Oh, and nuts ruin everything for me. No allergy, just hate the texture.

[StrawberryBlondie]

One more thing.

Those look more labor intensive than regular pumpkin pie. If GF is a concern, I'd just make a crust less one and call it a day.

[icedcoffee]

Nov 21, 2023 18:39:41 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Nov 21, 2023 18:22:10 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Those don’t seem super kid friendly and I like to have at least 1 kid friendly dessert on holidays for bribing purposes. I would make something more kid friendly.

Kind of related: 2 years ago my aunt skipped Christmas cookies and served baklava on Christmas and I will never let her live it down. It was so fucking sad.

Was it at least good baklava?

I guess if Baklava is your thing. I was too mad to consider having some. Christmas is time for cookies and not baklava!!!

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 21, 2023 19:11:13 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Nov 21, 2023 18:39:41 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Was it at least good baklava?

I guess if Baklava is your thing. I was too mad to consider having some. Christmas is time for cookies and not baklava!!!

I mean, I agree and I'd be mad too, but I do enjoy a good baklava.

[mrsukyankee]

Can I just say that if you let me know you are making me a dessert that I don't like (example, pumpkin pie, which I hate), I'll offer to bring something else to share. Otherwise, I don't give a flying leap about 'traditional' desserts. Making Eton Mess for Thanksgiving? Awesome. It'd dessert. I'll eat it and be happy.

[wawa]

Nov 21, 2023 19:11:13 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Nov 21, 2023 18:39:41 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Was it at least good baklava?

I guess if Baklava is your thing. I was too mad to consider having some. Christmas is time for cookies and not baklava!!!

huh. This isn't "you made buffalo wings for thanksgiving instead of turkey"  It's baklava.  It's a small sweet thing that is delicious and honestly has total winter holiday vibes with the usual spice profile. Very christmas cookie adjacent.

You didn't ask, but I'm on team your aunt here.  I really hope you're kidding when you say you haven't let her live it down. OR that she has a better sense of humor than I do because I'd be feeling stabby stabby if a family member was complaining 2 years later that I made the wrong sugary treat once, and for damn sure I'd have I'd have told you to bring your own damn cookies next time.

As for the OP, I'm laughing that this got deleted and we're all still clicking away over here.  I gather you're making some sort of pecan crusted pumpkin pie adjacent thing instead of the usual pumpkin pie and/or pecan tart. If these are short people who can't cook their own food I'd consider picking up a storebought pie for them, but otherwise your kitchen, your menu - let them know ahead of time what you're making and if they want something else they can bring it. At our big family turkey days we end up with an average dessert to human ratio of 1:2 so I firmly believe there's no such thing as too much dessert. Pie is the traditional black friday breakfast, right?  (at small events like this year we have a far more reasonable 3:1. Unless you count the ice cream. And then we're right back at 2:1)

[wawa]

Since the OP got deleted anyway, can I just piggyback here with a holiday dessert question?
My FIL's family has this traditional dessert called snowflake pudding. I think it's freakin' delicious.

His grandmother had been the one making it when I first joined the family. And then one of his aunts "with grandma's help." And then grandma passed and it still showed up at the family holiday event, but then one day it wasn't there. And I was like, "oh no! no snowflake pudding!" and the aunt who had been makign it was like, "you're welcome to take your turn!" Which is a fair answer.

But I'm afraid to. I have the recipe, it was part of a recipe card book I was given as a shower gift when we got married along with a bunch of other family tradition foods. (which is a CUTE AS HELL idea if you ever need a cheap shower gift for somebody who likes to cook and have that kind of family. I felt so welcomed to have all the family recipes) But like...what if I do it wrong? I'd be so sad to see Uncle J who is the #1 snowflake pudding fan take a bite and make a sad face. Would you give it a whirl?

[ECB]

Nov 22, 2023 7:15:56 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Can I just say that if you let me know you are making me a dessert that I don't like (example, pumpkin pie, which I hate), I'll offer to bring something else to share. Otherwise, I don't give a flying leap about 'traditional' desserts. Making Eton Mess for Thanksgiving? Awesome. It'd dessert. I'll eat it and be happy.

THIS!!!  Let people know what the menu is and if someone wants to bring a supplemental dessert, let them!

[noodleoo]

Wait, why did OP delete?

wawa , is it a complicated recipe? I'd probably try it and then if it doesn't come out quite right, ask the Aunt for help! Or if you guys live near each other, ask her to teach you? If it is a special family recipe, best to get it figured out while the previous generation can still pass the information on.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 22, 2023 9:28:16 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Wait, why did OP delete?

wawa , is it a complicated recipe? I'd probably try it and then if it doesn't come out quite right, ask the Aunt for help! Or if you guys live near each other, ask her to teach you? If it is a special family recipe, best to get it figured out while the previous generation can still pass the information on.

She said she meant to post it in ML.

[icedcoffee]

Nov 22, 2023 9:04:50 GMT -5 wawa said:

Nov 21, 2023 19:11:13 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I guess if Baklava is your thing. I was too mad to consider having some. Christmas is time for cookies and not baklava!!!

huh. This isn't "you made buffalo wings for thanksgiving instead of turkey"  It's baklava.  It's a small sweet thing that is delicious and honestly has total winter holiday vibes with the usual spice profile. Very christmas cookie adjacent.

You didn't ask, but I'm on team your aunt here.  I really hope you're kidding when you say you haven't let her live it down. OR that she has a better sense of humor than I do because I'd be feeling stabby stabby if a family member was complaining 2 years later that I made the wrong sugary treat once, and for damn sure I'd have I'd have told you to bring your own damn cookies next time.

As for the OP, I'm laughing that this got deleted and we're all still clicking away over here.  I gather you're making some sort of pecan crusted pumpkin pie adjacent thing instead of the usual pumpkin pie and/or pecan tart. If these are short people who can't cook their own food I'd consider picking up a storebought pie for them, but otherwise your kitchen, your menu - let them know ahead of time what you're making and if they want something else they can bring it. At our big family turkey days we end up with an average dessert to human ratio of 1:2 so I firmly believe there's no such thing as too much dessert. Pie is the traditional black friday breakfast, right?  (at small events like this year we have a far more reasonable 3:1. Unless you count the ice cream. And then we're right back at 2:1)

Actually--She was flattered and had no idea her cookie tradition meant so much to me.  She made extra the next year so I could bring a platter home with me. 

[tacokick]

Nov 22, 2023 9:18:17 GMT -5 wawa said:

Since the OP got deleted anyway, can I just piggyback here with a holiday dessert question?
My FIL's family has this traditional dessert called snowflake pudding. I think it's freakin' delicious.

His grandmother had been the one making it when I first joined the family. And then one of his aunts "with grandma's help." And then grandma passed and it still showed up at the family holiday event, but then one day it wasn't there. And I was like, "oh no! no snowflake pudding!" and the aunt who had been makign it was like, "you're welcome to take your turn!" Which is a fair answer.

But I'm afraid to. I have the recipe, it was part of a recipe card book I was given as a shower gift when we got married along with a bunch of other family tradition foods. (which is a CUTE AS HELL idea if you ever need a cheap shower gift for somebody who likes to cook and have that kind of family. I felt so welcomed to have all the family recipes) But like...what if I do it wrong? I'd be so sad to see Uncle J who is the #1 snowflake pudding fan take a bite and make a sad face. Would you give it a whirl?

Could you make a test batch and don’t tell anyone? Then if it tastes correctly, make it for an event. I’m guessing you and your husband would be able to tell if it was good or not!

[wawa]

Nov 22, 2023 9:28:16 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Wait, why did OP delete?

wawa , is it a complicated recipe? I'd probably try it and then if it doesn't come out quite right, ask the Aunt for help! Or if you guys live near each other, ask her to teach you? If it is a special family recipe, best to get it figured out while the previous generation can still pass the information on.

It's a jello mold. i think it's something grandma clipped out of like a Ladies Home Journal or similar once upon a time, and has been slightly modified over the years.  So not super complicated, but I've rarely used gelatin for that kind of thing and will be just trusting the recipe.
We do not live near each other unfortunately.  

The other wrinkle is that this all feels a little silly to even think about because I'm not sure this side of the family is getting together for the holidays. The family that hosted every single year since I joined the family isn't up for hosting anymore, and it doesn't seem like somebody else is going to offer.  It makes me sad, I really enjoy my FIL's family and their get together was always really fun.  Just a whole house full of smart interesting people with good food and wine.  But nobody else is stepping up to host and we can't offer because our house is way too small for the whole crew.  Which...now that i type that all out....means, I should just make the damn pudding.  I'm the only one who will notice if it's wrong (my H doesn't even like it that much) and my kids and I will enjoy it.

[wawa]

Nov 22, 2023 9:58:05 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Nov 22, 2023 9:04:50 GMT -5 wawa said:

huh. This isn't "you made buffalo wings for thanksgiving instead of turkey"  It's baklava.  It's a small sweet thing that is delicious and honestly has total winter holiday vibes with the usual spice profile. Very christmas cookie adjacent.

You didn't ask, but I'm on team your aunt here.  I really hope you're kidding when you say you haven't let her live it down. OR that she has a better sense of humor than I do because I'd be feeling stabby stabby if a family member was complaining 2 years later that I made the wrong sugary treat once, and for damn sure I'd have I'd have told you to bring your own damn cookies next time.

As for the OP, I'm laughing that this got deleted and we're all still clicking away over here.  I gather you're making some sort of pecan crusted pumpkin pie adjacent thing instead of the usual pumpkin pie and/or pecan tart. If these are short people who can't cook their own food I'd consider picking up a storebought pie for them, but otherwise your kitchen, your menu - let them know ahead of time what you're making and if they want something else they can bring it. At our big family turkey days we end up with an average dessert to human ratio of 1:2 so I firmly believe there's no such thing as too much dessert. Pie is the traditional black friday breakfast, right?  (at small events like this year we have a far more reasonable 3:1. Unless you count the ice cream. And then we're right back at 2:1)

Actually--She was flattered and had no idea her cookie tradition meant so much to me.  She made extra the next year so I could bring a platter home with me. 

I'm glad I misinterpreted what "I will never let her live it down" meant!

[fernweh]

I missed the OP but one year my brother was put in charge of desserts. He brought a pumpkin pie and a sweet potato pie. I don’t like either, so I didn’t eat dessert. It wasn’t a big deal, thanksgiving wasn’t ruined, everyone lived.

[sonrisa]

Nov 22, 2023 9:04:50 GMT -5 wawa said:

As for the OP, I'm laughing that this got deleted and we're all still clicking away over here.  I gather you're making some sort of pecan crusted pumpkin pie adjacent thing instead of the usual pumpkin pie and/or pecan tart. 

Lol. Yes. I thought I was posting on ML and included references I wouldn't for CEP (plus - this isn't exactly news worthy). My subsequent delete attempt failed.

The item is "pumpkin pecan bars with gingersnap crust" for a group of 17 (with two adults doing almost all the cooking because the older generation is over cooking and other adults are in hotels). I usually make a pumpkin pie and a pecan tart. The bars were actually beloved by all last year - or at least tolerated with a request for seconds. (Except the gluten free person who got a pumpkin only ramekin as requested.)

parade.com/842449/nicolewashington/pecan-pumpkin-pie-bars/

[sonrisa]

Nov 22, 2023 9:18:17 GMT -5 wawa said:

Would you give it a whirl?

Absolutely. I'd ask for tips from the expert, and then do my best. Best case scenario, there is a new snowflake pudding queen. Worst case, you won't do it again. 

[jinkies]

I didn't even need to see the original post. My vote is always, and forever, you can eat what is available, you can politely decline, or you can make something yourself. You will survive if you don't get a dessert you like for one meal of your life.

[estrellita]

Just based on the poll options I picked not liking pumpkin or pecans and that I'd be a little sad if that was the only dessert. BUT I would also be willing to try a tiny bit and wouldn't bitch about it. I can be picky with desserts, especially Thanksgiving ones, so that's on me 🤷‍♀️ Now knowing what the post was I probably wouldn't have cared if the other options were just pumpkin or pecan pie. IDK, I'm weird!

[pixy0stix]

Half the time I can't stuff down dessert on Thanksgiving anyway, so I'm not going to dictate what people bring.

[basilosaurus]

I'm just ornery and voting against gluten free. And that's because I've known too many with it as preference, not necessity.

Of course I'd cater to needs, but those with needs rarely ask for that accommodation ime. I've happily cooked vegan, gluten free, whatever, but if you're coming to dinner there will be veg options (for me mostly), but unless I know your needs, it's just not on my radar for anything else