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Seasonal gatherings, Southern traditions, and something sweet.
Sweet pineapple, crisp cabbage, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing come together to create a refreshing, delicious coleslaw that is a perfect side dish for cookouts, backyard barbecues, family reunions, and Fourth of July celebrations.
This classic Southern macaroni salad is creamy, tangy, and full of flavor from chopped eggs, sweet pickles, and crisp vegetables. It is the perfect make-ahead side dish for cookouts, potlucks, and family gatherings, and it is always a crowd favorite.
This easy no-bake cheesecake dip is one of those recipes every Southern hostess needs. It takes just 4 ingredients, requires no oven, and is always the first thing gone at a gathering.
A creamy Southern pea salad with crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, red onion, and a sweet, tangy dressing. It is an easy make-ahead side for Easter, potlucks, cookouts, and family dinners.
This easy strawberry cheesecake dip is light, fluffy, and ready in minutes. A swirl of seedless strawberry jam makes it a pretty no-bake treat for showers, brunches, spring parties, or a simple family dessert.
Soft and chewy Peanut Blossom cookies made with creamy peanut butter, rolled in sugar, and topped with a chocolate kiss. A classic cookie everyone loves. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Cookie Swaps or anytime you want a special treat .
Feeds a crowd
Freezer friendly
Dessert15 minutes + 45 minutes chill time in refrigerator or 20 minutes in the freezer if you are short on time
Soft and chewy gingerbread cookies dipped in silky white chocolate and sprinkled with festive holiday sprinkles. A classic Southern Christmas cookie! Easy to make, warmly spiced, and perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or adding to your holiday dessert trays .
Feeds a crowd
Freezer friendly
Side dish10 minutes -Plus 30 to 45 minute chill time
A bold, refreshing summer salad with cucumbers, grape tomatoes, red onion, feta, and a zesty lime-honey dressing. Spiced with jalapeño and cilantro perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or weekday lunches.
This creamy Southern coleslaw is made with freshly shredded green cabbage, carrots, Duke’s mayonnaise, sweet salad cubes, and just a hint of sugar and apple cider vinegar. A perfect side dish for BBQs, hot dogs, sandwiches, or Sunday supper. A classic you’ll turn to all summer.
Creamy cucumber, tomato and Vidalia onion salad is a cool, tangy side dish made with mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and dill. This refreshing salad is perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, and family dinners.
This classic Southern cucumber, tomato, and Vidalia onion salad is a refreshing summer side made with a combination of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar, juicy garden vegetables, and a touch of sweetness. The perfect dish for cookouts, Sunday suppers, and backyard gatherings.
This Crunchy Oriental Coleslaw is packed with crunchy ramen noodles, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer BBQs!
This easy Easter Brunch Casserole is made with crispy bacon, savory ham, shredded hash browns, and a creamy egg base with Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese. Perfect for holiday mornings, this make-ahead breakfast casserole is freezer-friendly and great for feeding a crowd. A cozy and comforting dish for Easter, Christmas, or any weekend brunch.
This creamy strawberry poppy seed dressing is a sweet, tangy, and velvety smooth addition to any salad. Made with fresh strawberries, a hint of honey, and a touch of tangy vinegar, it gets its luscious creaminess from mayonnaise, creating the perfect balance of flavors. Light yet indulgent, this homemade dressing pairs wonderfully with mixed greens, fresh berries, and nuts for a refreshing and vibrant salad.
Moist strawberry cheesecake muffins filled with a rich cream cheese center, fresh strawberries, and topped with a crunchy white sugar streusel. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, brunches, and holiday gatherings. An easy Southern-inspired recipe your family will love!”
Warm, Southern Comfort in Every Bite This classic New Orleans-style bread pudding is rich, creamy, and infused with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Made with heavy cream and baked to perfection, it’s topped with a decadent buttery bourbon sauce that soaks into every bite. Whether served warm for dessert or as an indulgent brunch treat, this bread pudding is pure Southern comfort at its finest.
Hoppin’ John’s is a Southern classic that brings tender black-eyed peas, smoky ham hock, and fluffy rice together with a flavorful kick of onions, peppers, and Cajun seasoning. This hearty and savory dish has just the right amount of spice to make it a crowd-pleaser, especially when paired with a slice of hot crispy cornbread. Perfect for New Year’s Day or any time you crave a comforting and delicious meal!
Collard greens are a beloved Southern staple, celebrated for their rich, savory flavor and tender texture. These are slow-cooked to perfection with smoky seasonings, they’re a dish that brings everyone to the table, ready to savor the comforting taste of tradition. Paired with cornbread or enjoyed on their own, collards are the heart of a true Southern meal.
If there’s one dish that perfectly captures the essence of Southern charm, it’s Southern Ambrosia. This iconic fruit salad combines the bright, citrusy sweetness of pineapple and mandarin oranges with the festive flair of maraschino cherries, all embraced by the delicate nuttiness of shredded coconut. Soft, tender marshmallows add a creamy texture, creating a dessert that’s as inviting as a front porch swing and as comforting as your grandma’s Sunday best. Whether gracing a holiday table or cooling down a summer picnic, Southern Ambrosia is more than a recipe, it’s a cherished piece of tradition that brings joy to every gathering.
Mexican wedding cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats with a rich, nutty flavor and a buttery, powdered sugar finish. Their crumbly texture pairs perfectly with the warmth of finely chopped nuts, creating a truly indulgent bite. These classic cookies are simple yet elegant, perfect for any celebration or a sweet everyday indulgence.
You’ll love this juicy Cajun fried turkey, perfectly seasoned with a blend of bold spices that bring out its rich, savory flavor. The golden-brown, crispy skin gives way to tender, moist meat that melts in your mouth. It’s a deliciously satisfying dish that’s sure to be the star of any gathering!
These buttery homemade sugar cookies are impossibly light, crisp around the edges, and melt in your mouth with every bite. Topped with festive red and green sprinkles, they bring just the right amount of holiday cheer to your dessert table. Perfectly sweet and delicately thin, they’re a treat that’s as nostalgic as it is irresistible.”
It's a comforting, aromatic drink that not only warms the body but also the soul. The blend of spices, the sweetness of the apple, and the tangy hint of citrus create a symphony of flavors that is truly Christmas in a cup.
Southern pecan pie is the crown jewel of Southern desserts, a rich, buttery masterpiece that blends the warm, toasty flavor of pecans with a velvety, caramel-like custard made from dark and light corn syrup, sugar, and just the right touch of vanilla. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of gooey sweetness and nutty crunch, all cradled in a flaky, golden pie crust.
These Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars are the ultimate fall treat, perfect for cozy autumn days and a delightful addition to any Thanksgiving spread. Layers of creamy, rich cream cheese blend beautifully with sweet-tart apples and topped with a delicious cinnamon crumb topping that’s drizzled with a creamy caramel sauce.
The Mississippi pot roast is a beloved American dish known for its simplicity, flavor, and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s made with only 5 ingredients and cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
These buttery shortbread cookies filled with raspberry jam will literally melt in your mouth! They are super easy to make and will be perfect for any occasion.
These light and tender cake-like cookies are so delicious! Topped with a thick, cream yummy frosting, they taste like something baked from a fancy bakery. This cookie recipe is super easy to make and you can enjoy them for any holiday or occasion!
Really, a delicious, tender honey-flavored ham with a crisp, crackley, sugary spiced crust that tastes exactly like you get from The Honey Baked Ham store? Yes, and the best part is, it’s only a faction of the cost.
This Southern Cornbread Dressing is super moist and absolutely delicious! It will be the only cornbread dressing recipe that you will ever need! Serve it with turkey or chicken for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Sunday Dinner.
This luscious Hawaiian Pie is like a banana split on steroids. It’s a deliciously elegant dessert that can be made in about 2 minutes-no of baking to it! Perfect for any occasion and a dessert that everyone will absolutely love!
A delicious light and fluffy salad or dessert made with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, nuts, and cool whip. It can be whipped up in a snap. Perfect for potlucks! A taste of heaven on earth.
A sweet and salty party mix made with Corn Chex’s, dry roasted peanuts, M&M’s, salted pretzels coated in a rich creamy white chocolate. It’s simply out of this world delicious and perfect for the holidays!
Feeds a crowd
Freezer friendly
Side dish45 minutes (includes boiling sweet potatoes)
This Southern Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole is light, fluffy, and topped with a buttery pecan, brown sugar topping . A holiday favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
This slow cooker bbq apple cider bbq pulled pork will melt in your mouth. It’s cooked to perfection with a delicious sweet & spicy homemade bbq sauce and rub. Pile it up high on a toasted buttered bun and enjoy!
This classic Southern Strawberry Pretzel Salad combines a salty-sweet pretzel crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and a bright strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, and summer gatherings, this make-ahead dessert is always a crowd favorite and easy to prepare.
If you like pecan pie, you will fall madly in love with these mini treats. It’s hard to believe anything so good could be so simple, easy and yummy! I’ll be making these by the dozens all during the holidays. Once you take a bite, you will be too!
I believe, and this is saying a lot, that these cheesecake bars are the best thing that have come out of my oven in a long, long time. Oh my goodness, seriously they are to die for! You can’t just have one! I almost ate the whole pan myself!
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies will be your go to sugar cookie recipe for any occasion. Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes and have fun baking, frosting and decorating!
Do you like your hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows?
On a cold wintery day, I’m a girl who likes to curl up on the couch with a soft warm blanket and a cup of “steamy” hot chocolate topped with a mountain of whipped cream and marshmallows!
For those cold snowy winter days, there is nothing more comforting that a warm cup of hot chocolate. You just can’t beat it. It warms the heart and soul.
Just when you thought life couldn’t get any sweeter….here comes a crunchy, gooey, buttery, chocolatey slice of heaven, Chocolate Pecan Pie with a little splash of bourbon. That’s Kentucky bourbon, of course!
As you know, anything with chocolate in it is my weakness. And then when you add loads of crunchy pecans and freshly whipped cream. Oh my, It’s enough to bring a strong man to his knees!
This slice of heaven is a perfect ending to a holiday meal or to take to a potluck or office party. I promise everyone will rant and rave over it!! It will become a holiday favorite!
Red Velvet Cake needs no introduction. It’s simply without question the holy grail of holiday cakes. It’s beautiful, magical, mysterious, romantic, and undoubtedly one of the best tasting cakes that I ever put in my mouth!
Side dish45 minutes (includes boiling sweet potatoes)
This classic Sweet Potato Soufflé with Toasted Marshmallows is the ultimate Southern holiday side dish. It’s made with creamy, buttery sweet potatoes and topped with a golden, gooey marshmallow layer. This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and family gatherings. It’s easy, comforting, and always a crowd favorite.
Are you enjoying the fresh strawberries in your area this spring? Here in Georgia, we are thoroughly enjoying the all the sweet, delicious, gorgeous strawberries coming up from Florida. I just can’t get enough!
Every time I cook this pot roast, it brings back precious memories of my childhood Sundays. After arriving home from church, we would be greeted with the mouth-watering smell of mama’s pot roast cooking in the oven.
Warmed jalapeno Cranberry Sauce takes the traditional out-of- the-can cranberry sauce to a whole new level. With healthy dose of ginger and a splash of jalapeno this sauce will spice up your holiday table.
You might expect this cranberry sauce to be quite fiery, and it does have some bite, but it has a great sweetness from the apricot preserves as well which makes it perfect to pair with roasted meats such as turkey, chicken, and pork. Trust me after you try this sauce, you will never ever want to ever go make to canned cranberry sauce. The fresh orange juice and zest ties all the wonderful favors together and gives it a nice tang. You can all ways take out the jalapenos it you prefer a milder taste. With or without the jalapenos, it’s the best cranberry sauce.
The Christmas holidays are soon approaching. How exciting! It’s my favorite time of year, and I want this year to be extra special so I’m going to jazz up my holiday dinner table with just a few new twist to my traditional holiday classics.
Savory Turkey Breast Stuffed with Fruit and Nuts is going to be our Christmas dinner treat. You are going to love it too! This savory turkey breast is stuffed with a sweet, spicy fruit and nut mixture topped with a beautiful, shinny pear glaze.
Sounds yummy, doesn’t it?
The spicy fruit and nut mixture turns your everyday turkey breast into a wonderful festive main course.
It may look complicated, trying to stuff a turkey breast, but it’s not. I’ll walk you through it. Put the breast on a cutting board and holding your knife parallel to the a cutting board or work surface, slice open the turkey breast horizontally, working from the thicker side of the lobe to the thinner side and not cutting all the way through.
Open the turkey breast like a book and season with salt and pepper. Spread the fruit and nut filling evenly over half the opened turkey breast, leave a little border around the outer edges. Fold the other half of the turkey breast over the stuffing. Tie the breast crosswise with kitchen string in four or five places to hold it all together.
I’m going to serve this savory turkey breast alongside a super moist Apple Chestnut Cornbread Dressing and Orange Candied Yams. Be sure to check my recipe for these sides. Merry Christmas!
Enjoy!
Aletia
This pasta salad has the works! Pecans, crisp red and green peppers, sweet red onions, black olives, broccoli, chicken, and Parmesan cheese covered in a creamy, sweet, tangy dressing that is impossible not to love.
I love this salad. It’s just soooo good and beautiful with all the colorful veggies plus, adding the chicken makes it a complete meal.
I got the recipe from a friend at a Christmas party years ago and have been making it ever since.
If you have extra vegetables on hand, you should throw it into this pasta salad. Like cherry tomatoes, artichokes, shredded carrots, diced cucumbers and chickpeas are delicious in this salad too.
I simply can’t say enough about the dressing. It truly makes the whole dish come together. Something magical happens when Caesar, Italian, and honey mustard dressing are blended together.
are the best words to describe Pineapple Cheese Casserole. Pineapple Cheese Casserole is both sweet and savory. It’s literally a Southerner’s dream all rolled into one casserole-the perfect mix of canned pineapples, cheddar cheese, sugar, and buttered Ritz crackers.
For potlucks, church suppers, family gatherings, this is my dish to bring. It’s supper easy and can be whipped up in a snap and EVERYONE goes Stark Raving Mad over it! And never a crumb left!
It goes well with ham, pork and fried chicken. My family loves this casserole. Our holiday meals wouldn’t be complete without it.
Enjoy!
Aletia
Looking for a last minute dessert kind-of- dessert to bring to a family dinner or potluck at the office? Don’t despair! I have got you covered! It’s a Pecan Pie Trifle layers of chunked pecan pie, whipping cream/Mascarpone cheese mixture, fudge, caramel and toasted pecans. Doesn’t that sound divine? Well, it is!
This is one of my favorite appetizers to bring to a party especially this time of the year. It’s so delicious and it’s bursting with all the season’s flavors-cinnamon, nutmeg, fresh orange and topped with toasted pecans. I promise every bit will be devoured! This beautiful appetizer can be made in a snap! Trim rind from the top of the brie. Spread the cranberry filling on top and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Bake and serve hot with assorted crackers, gingersnaps, apple slices, pears, or baguette rounds. I hope you enjoy this for a holiday party!
Feeds a crowd
Make ahead
More family favorites are being carefully added to Aletia's recipe box.