Blog Posts by Southern Living

Mull over these apple cider recipes to warm up and get in the winter spirit. Creamy, mulled, spiked, or sparkling, we guarantee you'll love them! Pair them with a roaring fire for a perfect winter evening.

Try one of these cozy apple cider recipes on a cold winter night.
See More Cozy Winter Drinks

Hot Cider Nog
Whisk together 2 cups half-and-half, 1 cup each milk and apple cider, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp. each salt and ground nutmeg in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup bourbon, if desired. Top each serving with sweetened whipped cream. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and apple slices, if desired. Makes: 5 1/2 cups

Cider Tea
Place 6 regular-size hibiscus tea bags and 2 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 2 cups. Remove tea bags, and stir in 4 each whole allspice and cloves and 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks.

Whether you say pee-can or peh-kan, we're pronouncing these pecan recipes as some of the best we've ever tasted!

Mama's German Chocolate Cake
Mama's German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Parchment paper
2 (4-oz.) packages sweet chocolate baking bars
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Coconut-Pecan Frosting
Garnish: chocolate-dipped toasted pecan halves

Coconut-Pecan Frosting
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 2 cups chopped pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool completely (about 20 minutes). Meanwhile, cook 1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup butter, and 6 lightly beaten egg yolks in a heavy 3-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cook, stirring constantly, 12 to 14 minutes or until mixture becomes a light caramel

We cut more than half the fat and sugar in our favorite Thanksgiving side, and we like it better than the original! Try one of these three delicious versions at yourThanksgiving dinner.
Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole
Don't Miss: Thanksgiving Menus, Sides, and Dessert Recipes

Incorporate the colors of fall to create a woodsy and rustic theme for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Rustic Elegance
More from Southern Living
How To Set a Stunning Table
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Recipe Collection
100 Fall Decorating Ideas

Start With a Plate
Start With a Plate
Simple white plates paired with timeless flatware and thin stemware keep this more rustic setting looking elegant. Bold orange napkins give the setting a pop of seasonal color.

Love It? Get It!
China: White Oak by Sophie Conran for Portmeiron; portmeirion.co.uk

Related: 12 Ways with Pecan Pie (Cheesecake, Brownies, Deep-Fried, and More!)

Multilevel Centerpiece
Stack a Multilevel Centerpiece
Use cut logs to create different levels at the center of the table. You can also use wooden boxes or vintage books. Stack the logs along the length of the table, and top some with moss, others with small arrangements, and still others with candles.

Love It? Get It!
Log slices: Winter Woods; winterwoods.com

Related: Simple Slow-Cooker Thanksgiving Sides

Small Floral Arrangments
Create Small Arrangements

an't get enough of the gooey, sweet flavors of pecan pie? We've got you covered! Try our classic pecan pie recipe or get creative with delicious variations like Pecan Pie Brownies or Pecan Cheesecake Pie. Everyone at your Thanksgiving dinner will thank you.

Pecan Cheesecake Pie
Pecan Cheesecake Pie
Ingredients
1/2 (15-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs, divided
3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
1 cup light corn syrup

Preparation
Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions. Fold edges under, and crimp.

Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and salt at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture into piecrust; sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.

Whisk together corn syrup and remaining 3 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla; pour mixture over pecans. Place pie on a baking sheet.

Bake at 350° on lowest

In honor of Thanksgiving, Test Kitchen Professional Norman King turns a Thanksgiving essential into a fried one-bite appetizer.

See Deep-Fried Pecan Pie, Jack Daniel's, S'mores, and More!

SL

This Thanksgiving dinner essential gets a much-needed makeover from fresh veggies and a lightened (but super-rich!) homemade sauce.

Home-Style Green Bean Casserole
Home-Style Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed
2 Tbsp. butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1 Tbsp. Ranch dressing mix
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. butter
1 (8-oz.) package sliced fresh mushrooms
Vegetable cooking spray
1 cup French fried onions, crushed
1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover in a Dutch oven 4 to 6 minutes or to desired degree of doneness; drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain and pat dry.

Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in Dutch oven over medium heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk; cook, whisking

Set a festive table that is both inviting and impressive. Charleston event designer Tara Guérard shows us how to mix old with new, traditional with modern, and heirloom with inexpensive for beautiful holiday table.

Sparkling Holiday Table
More from Southern Living
Easy DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece
27 Ways to Set a Stunning Table
100 Fall Decorating Ideas

Champagne and Pink Palette
Family-Style Thanksgiving Table
Tara looked to a family china patter for inspiration. The result is a pretty color palette of Champagne and gold with subtle touches of pink. Linens establish the palette, which is carried out all the way to the pale pink taper candles. Tara paired her traditional family china with modern gold-rimmed glass chargers she rented for just $1 apiece.

Love It? Get It!
Chargers: Glass Gold Rim Hammered Charger; snydereventrentals.com
China: discontinued; for similar items, search for "pink rim china" at replacements.com

Related: 60 Spectacular Thanksgiving Sides

Expanded Dining Room Table
Expand Your Table
To accommodate a large guest list, Tara topped