October 20, 2021

Recipes for a Sweet Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the one holiday that’s centered around the simple theme of gratitude. It reinforces the idea that family, friends, and food are the only things we really need in order to share joy and spread love.

As a treat to show you just how thankful we are for you this Thanksgiving, we’re sharing a few of our favorite delectable dessert recipes, straight from our members’ kitchens! These are sure to sweeten the deal at your Thanksgiving dinner table! 

Mama’s Sweet Potato Casserole

Submitted by Mary Layssard | Lodge 260 | Louisiana

BetterLife member recipe for baking with sweet potatoesIngredients for Filling
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes or yams
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs

Ingredients for Topping:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup flour
4 tablespoons butter

Mix filling ingredients together and place in casserole dish. Sprinkle with topping. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Fresh Apple Cookies

Submitted by Helen Irish Ackerson | Iowa

Baking BetterLife member recipes with dadIngredients
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups finely chopped, unpeeled apples
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Ingredients for Frosting
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cream shortening. Add sugar; beat well. Add egg and milk; beat well. Combine flour, soda, salt, and spices. Add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Stir in nuts and apples. Drop by rounded teaspoon 1 1/2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Cool and frost if desired. Makes 4 1/2 dozen. 

Pumpkin Crunch

Submitted by Helen Schwake | Lodge 20 | Wisconsin

Baking BetterLife member Thanksgiving dessert recipesIngredients
2 cups pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 box of yellow cake mix
2 sticks melted butter

Ingredients for Topping
8 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups Cool Whip

Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour in 9×13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over mixture. Gently pour melted butter over dry cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool.

For the topping, mix cream cheese, sugar, and Cool Whip. Spread on cooled cake. Refrigerate.