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holiday food
holiday food
The Wizard of Oz: The Official Cookbook, Marie Reginato, Molly Farrell
Recipes

12 Recipes To Impress Your Significant Other’s Family During The Holidays

Are you meeting your significant other’s family for the first time over the holidays? You’re not alone. This time of year often brings introductions of new partners over a holiday meal. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving or any of the later holidays, deciding the perfect dish to bring may be difficult. We put together a list of the best recipes to impress your significant other’s family that will be sure to leave the best opinion on the family of the one you’re with, no matter their food preferences.  

Field of Poppies Focaccia Bread

With the new “Wicked” movie coming out this Friday, what better way to celebrate than with a Wizard of Oz inspired focaccia bread? This recipe uses either pepper ends or tomatoes to create red flowers that look like poppies on top of the bread. This bread is sure to be a hit amongst everyone who tries it or even gets to see it. You’ll be able to show your creative side to your partner’s family in a unique way. 

Charcuterie Board 

This charcuterie board is sure to get you off on the right foot. This board takes only five minutes to put together and serves four to six guests. Get creative with the ingredients to make this appetizer even more personal and show off more of what makes you you. 

A Thousand Reasons Meatballs

This meatball recipe is based on the classic Swedish dish and blends beef, pork, and veal into a rich brown sauce. Inspired by the movie Frozen, this recipe is the perfect warm meal on a cold holiday evening, and it is simple enough to appeal to almost anyone you encounter in your partner’s family.  

Mom’s Potato Salad

A simple potato salad is sure to satisfy almost anyone. While not a typical holiday dish, show your creativity with this easy recipe. With only a 30 minute prep time, this is an easy side to put together if you’re tight on time but still want to make a good impression. 

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes And Peanut Butter

hasselback sweet potato
Photo by Emma Stoloff for Spoon University

Looking to bring a unique dish to your partner’s Thanksgiving dinner? This variation of the traditional sweet potatoes and marshmallows combo uses peanut butter instead, and these two ingredients might go better together than you would think. To ensure that everyone in the family is happy, you could even try this recipe along with a classic sweet potatoes and marshmallow dish. 

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

pumpkin chiffon pie
Photo by Molly Farrell for Spoon University

There’s no better dessert at the end of a Thanksgiving meal than pumpkin pie. This pumpkin chiffon pie recipe uses a mousse like filling to create a delicate and airy treat for the end of your meal. A pumpkin pie is a classic choice for any holiday event, especially one where you might not know exactly what to expect. 

Frozen Hot Cocoa Martini

frozen hot cocoa martini
Photo by Madeline Bokan for Spoon University

Want to spice up your holiday contribution with a drink rather than a dish? Look no further than this festive frozen hot cocoa martini. This is the perfect way to welcome in the holiday season and is sure to please. For those who may not drink alcohol, make a mocktail version so that everyone is happy.

Anginetti Cookies

anginetti cookies
Photo by Kelly Troop for Spoon University

These classic Italian anginetti cookies are a must-have in my house for Thanksgiving every year. The tiny cookies frosted with vanilla frosting are sure to be a hit even amongst the pickiest eaters. You’ll be prepared for everything with this dessert. 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Muffins

pumpkin spice muffins
Photo by Stefanie Trepper for Spoon University

Nothing says the holidays more than pumpkin spice. This classic pumpkin spice muffin recipe adds in chocolate chips for some extra sweetness. The muffins also stay good wrapped in plastic for up to three days, so they’re the perfect dessert to serve and give your hosts the leftovers. 

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Photo of Snickerdoodle Cookies from “CRUMBS: Cookies & Sweets from Around the World” by Ben Mims.
Photo by Simon Bajada

Holiday dinner isn’t complete without a classic snickerdoodle cookie. This basic recipe is easy to make, yet yields 30 of the sweet, cinnamony treats we all know and love. These are a safe choice for any holiday party, and your hosts will surely thank you for the sugary contribution. 

Berry Chantilly Cake

whole food chantilly cake
Photo by Stefanie Trepper for Spoon University

This Whole Foods Copycat Berry Chantilly Cake may take a little longer than some other dessert recipes, but the results are incomparable. You will end up with a deliciously fruity cake that gives Whole Foods a run for its money, and impress your significant other’s family while you’re at it. 

Chocolate Mousse With Raspberries

For a sweet treat at the end of the meal, try out this easy chocolate mousse dessert with raspberries. Even better, this recipe uses silken tofu and plant based milk, making it friendly to guests with dietary restrictions as well. This unique confection is sure to leave a lasting impression on your partner’s relatives for your creativity. 

Amanda Sinofsky is a contributing writer for the Spoon University National Writers Program.

She is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism pursuing a double major in Journalism and English with a Media Studies focus. She is from a New Jersey suburb 25 minutes outside of Philadelphia. At UMD, she is a copy editor for The Diamondback, the university's student-run newspaper, and is the music & arts editor for The Campus Trainer, an online lifestyle magazine at the university.

In her free time, Amanda is a part of a student-run dance company and enjoys reading, listening to music (anything Taylor Swift), and spending time with her friends.