Quick and Easy Desserts for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving should be a wonderful time of family fun and favorite foods. But often, it turns into a stressful affair of trying to cook dishes perfectly (and at the same time) to make an envy-worthy feast.

This year, take some stress off your plate with quick and easy desserts that maximize flavor and minimize your time in the kitchen. They can even be made in advance and stored in the fridge, so all you have to do is serve and enjoy!

Our first pick is these delicious Pumpkin Bars from Taste of Home! Not only do they come together in about 25 minutes of hands-on time, but they also make two dozen servings, so you can easily feed a crowd!

 Pumpkin Bars

•       4 large eggs
•       1 2/3 cups sugar
•       1 cup canola oil
•       1 15 oz can pure pumpkin
•       2 cups all-purpose flour
•       2 tsp ground cinnamon
•       2 tsp baking powder
•       1 tsp baking soda
•       1 tsp salt

Icing

•       6 oz cream cheese, softened
•       2 cups confectioners’ sugar
•       ¼ cup butter, softened
•       1 tsp vanilla extract
•       1 to 2 TBSP 2% milk

Instructions

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
2.     Beat eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a bowl until well blended.
3.     Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
4.     Pour into an ungreased 15x10x1 inch baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until set.
5.     Cool completely.
6.     Beat the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, butter, and vanilla in a small bowl.
7.     Add milk until you reach a spreading consistency and spread icing over the bars.
8.     Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Are you dreaming of tart apples and cranberries for your Thanksgiving feast? This deliciously easy Cranberry and Apple Cake from Food Network will satisfy your cravings in no time! Make it in advance and set it out about an hour before serving to enjoy it with your friends and family.

Cranberry and Apple Cake

•       12 oz fresh cranberries (rinsed and de-stemmed)
•       1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
•       ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
•       1 TBSP grated orange zest (approx. 2 oranges)
•       ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
•       1 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
•       2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
•       1 cup, plus 1 TBSP granulated sugar
•       1 stick unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
•       1 tsp pure vanilla extract
•       ¼ cup sour cream
•       1 cup all-purpose flour
•       ¼ tsp kosher salt

Instructions

1.     Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F).
2.     In a medium bowl, combine cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Set aside.
3.     Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.
4.     Set the mixer to medium, add 1 cup of granulated sugar, butter, vanilla, and sour cream, and beat until just combined.
5.     On low speed, slowly add flour and salt.
6.     Pour fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate.
7.     Pour batter over the fruit, covering it completely.
8.     Combine the remaining 1 TBSP of granulated sugar and 1/8 tsp of cinnamon and sprinkle over batter.
9.     Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean and fruit bubbles around the edges.
10.   Cool and serve at room temperature.

Looking for an easy way to elevate your desserts? Try a raised cake stand! You can artfully arrange your pumpkin bars in a stack or place your pie plate on top of the stand for an instant touch of elegance that looks great on any Thanksgiving tablescape.