Special Recipes for Special Events (2024)

• 1 1/4 cup pecans
• 1/3 sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 14 tablespoon softened unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 large egg yolk

4.4/5(83 Votes)

• SAUCE:
• 2 pounds ground beef chuck
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans in spicy
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 green chile peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon bacon bits
• 4 cubes beef bouillon
• 1/2 cup beer
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 (10.5 ounce) bag corn chips such as Fritos®
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese

4.7/5(21 Votes)

• CAKE:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 1/2 cups (packed) light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• GANACHE:
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
• BUTTERCREAM:
• 3 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
• 1 cup Nutella
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sprinkles (for decorating; optional)
• SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
• A candy thermometer

4.4/5(19 Votes)

• 16-ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 12-ounces evaporated milk
• 3 cups cheddar
• 8-ounces cream cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

3.8/5(3537 Votes)

• 1 (14.3-ounce) package of Oreo cookies
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (12-ounce) container of Cool Whip
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 (3.4-ounce) packages of vanilla or chocolate instant pudding mix

4/5(437 Votes)

• 3 different variations of Kool-Aid (such as grape, cherry, and lime)

4.4/5(278 Votes)

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 4 cups onion, chopped
• 2 (28-ounce) cans Muir Glen organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup steak sauce
• 1 (16-ounce) American cheese loaf, cut into cubes
• 1 (22-ounce) bag frozen waffle fries
• 2 cups lettuce, shredded

4.5/5(200 Votes)

• 1/2-ounce Malibu rum
• 1/2-ounce light rum
• 1/2-ounce blue curaçao
• 1/2-ounce apple pucker (or melon liqueur)
• Equal parts sweet 'n sour mix and pineapple juice

4/5(221 Votes)

• CHILI GRAVY:
• 3 tablespoons Canola oil
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano is preferred if it’s available)
• 2 tablespoon chile powder (either homemade or a dark brand such as Gebhardt’s or Whole Foods)
• 2 cups chicken broth or water
• CHEESE ENCHILADAS:
• 6 corn tortillas
• 12 Kraft American 2% Cheese singles (or velveeta for TexMex authenticity)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cups chili gravy

4.2/5(196 Votes)

• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and seeded
• Kosher salt to taste
• 2 cups 2% Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large clove garlic, finely grated
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mint or oregano
• 2 cups fresh parsley leaves, chopped, about 1 large bunch
• 1/2 cup chopped, pitted kalamata olives
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 2 (14-ounce) cans artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers, about 14 ounces
• 2 cups pita chips, crushed, plus more for serving
• 2 cups prepared hummus
• 1 cup crumbled feta, about 8 ounces

4.5/5(138 Votes)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon (adjust to your taste; I like 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon)
• 2 cups nuts (pecans or walnuts are excellent, whole almonds are good too)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 cup water
• Optional: substitute 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste, instead of cinnamon and definitely gives a great pop of flavor

4.3/5(148 Votes)

• 3/4 sticks butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 tablespoons French's mustard
• 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 package King's Hawaiian Rolls
• 12 slices honey baked ham
• 12 slices provolone cheese

3.9/5(219 Votes)

• 3 (11-ounce) cans sweet corn with diced peppers, drained (also called Fiesta corn)
• 1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies
• 1 (6-ounce) can chopped jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (16-ounce) package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 to 3 bags of Frito Scoops or other tortilla chips

3.8/5(298 Votes)