A Very Betty Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving’s just around the corner and I’ve got a fantasy Friendsgiving on my mind. (And no, I don’t mean a sports-centric affair where guests swap stats or stress about standings.) For my make-believe potluck, I’m inviting Betty’s nearest and dearest—i.e. our beloved blogger friends—for an all-out feast. Like any good Friendsgiving, I’m delegating duties among my guests, making for a memorable menu that’s anything but traditional. (For more tips on throwing a hitch-free Friendsgiving, check out this how-to.)

Signature Cocktail: Fizzy Ginger-Cranberry Punch

Betty blogger Cindy Ensley, the brains behind the blog Hungry Girl Por Vida, will arrive first, bearing the fixings for this spicy-sweet, party-starting punch.

Appetizer #1: Baked Veggie Chips with Curried Yogurt Dip

Next to ring my doorbell is Betty blogger Stephanie Wise, the woman behind the drool-inducing blog Girl Versus Dough. Stephanie’s got a knack for making better-for-you-foods irresistible, so she’ll be toting these crispy-baked chips and a creamy curry yogurt dip.

Appetizer #2: Happy Honey Cheese Plate

Megan DeKok, our resident entertaining guru and blogger at Take a Megabite, has the cheese-plate thing down pat (as evidenced here), so for my dream dinner, she’ll whip up this sweet and savory plate for us all to nibble on while the turkey cooks.

Main dish: Ancho Chile Turkey with Maple Bourbon Glaze

Former Betty blogger Cheri Liefeld of Adventures in the Kitchen will join in the fun, sharing her spiced-up take on a classic roast turkey. With two kinds of chiles, a juicy burst of citrus and sweet maple, this versatile bird plays well with all kinds of sides.

Side dish #1: Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Our reigning queen of authentic Mexican cuisine, Yvette Marquez, author of the Muy Bueno blog, will dish up this tasty twist on mashed potatoes, made with sweet potatoes, crema Mexicana and spiced with cinnamon and chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.

Side dish #2: Honey Spiced Winter Squash

Bearing a pan of deliciously tender, honey-filled squash halves is Becky Rosenthal, who shares her seasonally focused recipes on her blog, The Vintage Mixer.

Side Bread: Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread

Sharing a slice of Southern hospitality, Stacey Little of Southern Bite, will wow the crowd with his savory pull-apart monkey bread and easy herbed dipping sauce—because we all know bacon and cheese make nearly everything better.

Dessert #1: Spiked Apple Crisp Shooters 

Our go-to gal for classic comfort foods, Jessica Walker, aka Lil’ Miss Bossy, will dish up trays of her signature small-bite sweet, made with Betty Crocker Oatmeal Cookie Mix and topped with a bourbon-spiked whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Dessert #2: Butterscotch-Maple Cheesecake Torte

And finally, with our belts just shy of busting, Sprinkle Bakes’ Heather Baird will present her fall-themed masterpiece. With two layers of maple cake, butterscotch cheesecake and a delicious buttery sweet glaze, this stunner is sure to steal the show.