“Sometimes I have loved the peacefulness of an ordinary Sunday. It is like standing in a newly planted garden after a warm rain. You can feel the silent and invisible life. All it needs from you is that you take care not to trample on it.” ~ Marilynne Robinson
Photo Credit: Instagram – @madeleinelumley
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“It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is already over,” a friend emailed me this weekend. “All that's left are the sweet potatoes.”
I know what she means. In our fridge is a lone container of bean casserole that neither of us can bear to finish off. It's our favorite thing in all of the world.
When I was growing up, my grandparents hosted Thanksgiving dinner for our family. Well ahead of the day, my grandmother would pull out her recipe card holder and begin making lists. Thanksgiving was a week-long process that included moving the furniture around, sliding leaves into tables, ironing tablecloths, grocery shopping with two carts, staying up late the night before, peeling potatoes and rolling lefse
By one in the afternoon, as relatives began to arrive, the smell of homemade pie filled the house. In their arms, braided loaves, homemade fudge, kringla, and a red tin (or two) of fruitcake that I don't remember anyone ever eating
Some of the dishes I remember most were the coconut cream pie, the turkey roasting in the oven, stuffing (always the stuffing), and the softest buns that were perfect for sandwiches the next day. There was the lefse, that could be slathered with butter, or cinnamon sugar (my favorite), or even jam made from berries picked from the garden in July
It was my job to wash the grapes, stuff the celery, stir the dip, gather the crackers, and arrange the olives on the lazy susan. (My brother ate the olives faster than I could arrange). The aunts and grandmothers chatted in the kitchen, and the men would retreat, drinks in hand, to the living room and football on t.v.
Between one pm and two, the meal was on the table, without fail. Heads would bow, while someone said grace, giving thanks for the health of everyone gathered around, blessing the food, the family, the day.
The menu never varied: turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and baked sweet potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole with french fried onions on top, warm buttery buns, and jello salad. At least two kinds of pie
Every year was declared the best year ever, with every dish the best it had ever been. Always, someone would say they'd eaten too fast. Always, someone who claimed to be too full to swallow one more bite, but would agree to seconds anyway, if only to make the moment last
Somehow, by the time the last car pulled out of the drive and disappeared into the night, the kitchen would be restored to order, the dishes done (all by hand because she didn't have a dishwasher), the turkey carcass encased in foil and tucked into the fridge, surrounded by a precarious stacks of leftovers
My grandmother made the entire thing look easy. As a result, although I'm now a middle-aged mother of two grown children (and three grandchildren), and fancy myself a moderately good cook, I've only cooked a turkey once or twice in my life
Last week, my parents hosted Thanksgiving dinner. No longer is it the whole (or same, for that matter) clan. Death, circumstances, and the passing of time have separated us. This year, with my sister-in-law at her family's, my husband in Wisconsin visiting his sons, the kids (and grandkids) far away, there were just five of us at the table.
As small a Thanksgiving as we've ever had as a family
We edited it a little, no fruitcake, no cream-of-something green beans or homemade lefsa. But otherwise, the meal was the one I've eaten all of my life. We talked about all of the familiar topics: railroading, investing, books we'd been reading, podcasts worth listening to, beer and wine worth making, cool Instagram accounts to follow
Throughout the night, each one of us saying, in our own unique ways, “I'm just glad we're still able to do this”
Earlier in the day, I'd taken a walk with the dogs and passed a house where cars were parked in the drive and on all sides of the block. For an instant then, I found myself feeling a bit nostalgic, longing for the good old days when the holiday was a production. But really, it was just for an instant. We've had that; I reminded myself. We've lived it, loved it, and have now come to a different part of life's journey.
The five of us lingered at the table for a long time that evening, enjoying one another's company as well as the meal. We savored what was ours to savor in the moment. And then, before you knew it, the time had come to divvy up the left-overs and say our good-byes.
As I type, it's a quiet Sunday afternoon and another Thanksgiving holiday has come to an end. My husband had the last bun with a bowl of soup for lunch. The tray of left-over stuffing from Food at First has been divvied up amongst the neighbors. The coconut cream pie and I have had our moment
Someday, I know, I might be in charge of the affair one day, but admittedly I hope it never happens.
I'd never be able to recreate my brother's smoked turkey or a family friend's stuffing, or the homemade beer my father keeps on tap. I'd never be able to create the feeling of connection we have when we're together, my sister-in-law's laugh, my father's kindness, my husband's silly jokes, my brother's gentle manner, my mother's gift of having the perfect wine for any occasion
I remember all of the things I'm grateful for this year. Knowing that for now, above all else: I'm grateful for the fact that I'm still somebody's daughter
I've always loved the fall, for its excitement of back-to-school, the warmth of Thanksgiving, and the joy of the holidays we celebrate as the year comes to a close. But mostly, I love it for baking. This time of year, when the days are short and the weather sometimes dreary, the pleasure of making and sharing something homemade is greater than ever
When my husband's son came to visit this past week, it was a lot of fun to try a new recipe
A homage to a favorite treat of all time. If there's anything I know for certain: chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. Luxurious decant chocolate is lovely when paired with the salty, nutty flavor of peanut butter.
Enjoy!
xoxo
~ Adapted from Food52
The Biggest (and Best) Peanut Butter Cup You'll Ever Eat
Ingredients
- Crust
- 1 ½ cups chocolate wafer crumbs
- 2 Tbsp natural sugar
- pinch sea salt
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted, but not hot
- Filling and Glaze
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- One 5.4 oz can coconut cream (or the cream from a can of coconut milk, but be very careful to use it straight from the fridge and drain off the extra liquid—you’re aiming to use only the cream)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup milk (non-dairy milks work great as well)
- 2 Tbsp natural sugar
Instructions
- Crust
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9" tart pan with a removable bottom
- Mix the crumbs, sugar, and sea salt. Pour the melted butter over the top and stir until everything is combined
- Turn the crumbs into the prepared pan and use your fingers to firmly press them along the bottom and up the sides. Poke some holes in the crust with a fork
- Freeze the tart shell for 10 minutes
- Place the tart shell on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; bake about 10 minutes or until the crust has taken on some color
- Remove the shell from the oven and allow it to cool completely
- Peanut Butter Filling
- Blend the peanut butter, cream cheese, coconut cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Pour the filling into the tart shell, then transfer the tart to the fridge and allow it to chill for at least 3 hours (and up to overnight)
- Glaze
- In a small saucepan, warm the milk and sugar until they’re hot but not yet simmering.
- Pour the hot milk over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted and the mix is glossy
- Pour the glaze over the top of the tart, being careful to stop when it reaches, but doesn’t cover, the edges of the tart shell.
- Transfer the tart back to the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour, or until the top is set.
- Slice and serve.
56 Comments
I’m an American living in Sweeden. Our neighbor always brings a raw Tuscan salad as his go-to for the many Thanksgivings we’ve hosted with friends, here. It’s divine. I made it for the fourth Thanksgiving in two years tonight and as usual, it was a hit! I’ll inbox you the recipe and highly recommend it as an addition to your Turkey Day table. x
Your family thanksgiving sounds lovely … no matter how big or small you all came together and that is what mattered. I sometimes wish that thanksgiving was more widely celebrated here in the UK.
Yes, circumstances can tear people up but if you can still make it to celebrate together, that’s admirable.And don’t worry about being in charge of the preparation someday,I trust that all will be fine even the buttercup and turkey!If only thanksgiving was celebrated in Kenya though!
It’s always nice when you can get together with family. We have a rather small table too since people can’t always travel, but I was glad to be with my parents at least. Tis pie looks spectacular. I just love peanut butter cups!
Coming from the UK, I always thought Thanksgiving was what Americans called christmas when I was growing up. I have loved reading posts about thanks giving this past week or so with the run ups and recipes. I love all the memories from childhood that come flooding back, same as for me at christmas. Times move on and circumstances change but our memories are with us forever x
My Grandma used to make Thanksgiving dinner and also made it look simple. This year was our smallest yet, just five of us, and other then my Dad being away for work it was the best Thanksgiving in years.
It’s really all about getting together with family and friends. No matter the size of the group or the amount of food before us. The food is just a portion of it, but the fellowship and quality time catching up with family and friends there’s nothing like it. Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving
This is like a trip down memory lane to remember some of my favorite recipes from over the years! This year we tried to branch out and introduce some new dishes to the menu. My sister made Brussels sprouts with an oregano drizzle and a family friend brought spicy miso-roasted delicata squash. While they were both delish, my mom’s stuffing is still the thing I put onto my plate first. Thanks for all the inspiration in the kitchen. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but I can relate to this 100% on Christmas time. We go to my grandma and she always takes care of everything and makes it looks so easy, not sure if it will be the same when we’re the ones in charge! Loved the peanut butter cake, i’m sure everyone loved it as well, xx
Yes, my grandmother always makes it look super easy… hosting & feeding a crowd. I have hosted Thanksgiving a few times and it was SO much work! Christmas is at our house this year so I’m going to start getting ready early.
It was nice to read about the Thanksgiving dinner traditions from your family, as there is no such holiday in my country and the only time my family would gather around the dinner table was Christmas. And it wasn’t the full family, so when I was old enough to travel by train alone, I would just join my grandmother and have our own Christmas, together. She also used to make it so easy. She would cook everything and by the time I would wake up all the food was ready. Later, when she got older, I started to buy all the food already made from the supermarket. She was so amazed that you can find everything there, as she grew up in times of war, when there was almost no food at all in my country. After she died I stopped celebrating Christmas completely.
Love this, it sounds a lot like our Thanksgiving growing up. Unfortunately distance separates our parents and our tiny Thanksgiving this year consisted of just the 5 of us and my sister’s 4. Too much time spent on preparing for only a 10 minute meal, but really it’s the conversations and laughter afterward that make new Thanksgiving memories.
This year we didn’t get together with extended family as I was simply too tired to travel. ☺ I do host most years though and it IS a task to cook it all! I miss the HUGE Thanksgiving of my youth, but I don’t at the same time.
We always host Thanksgiving, and it is always a production. This year we had it somewhere else, and it just didn’t feel the same. On a different note, thanks for another great recipe, Ali. Peanut butter and chocolate is such a classic combo. It never gets old.
I love how you choose to be grateful for the small things! That is so encouraging to hear and be reminded to do! Also, this pie looks so delicious! I would love to try it!
This was the first Thanksgiving that our gathering didn’t include all of my family and I missed that tradition. It’s nice to have the memories of tradition for sure.
This year was my first Thanksgiving with family in over 10 years. It was full of nostalgia and memories. Turns out the only thing missing was this pie!
Hi Ali, This is my first time leaving a comment, but I’ve been a long-time reader. I wanted to tell you that I so appreciate your love of real food and your aesthetic sensibility. On this rainy November night in London, I just want you to know how thankful I am for your writing.
Your post has brought a tear to my eye – really! You describe your Thanksgiving memories beautifully. I’m in the Uk so have never celebrated Thanksgiving, and it sounds so wonderful. I don’t have a big family, but maybe I’ll be able to give my children special memories as your family have given, and are still giving you. As an aside, baked sweet potatoes sound delicious! As does the peanut butter cup!
Beautifully put, no matter our pasts we are still someones daughters and we need to hold our memories from our past tight and never let go. Because someday they will be just that- memories- but it is always nice to spend time with family especially during the holiday season. On another note this reminds me of Reese’s peanut butter cups, they look delicious! x
I am glad you had a good Thanksgiving. I agree, our Thanksgivings have always been similar. Always the same food, same conversations and same traditions. I kind of like it that way but like you…I love introducing new twists on dishes or adding a new dessert. This recipe would be something my husband would LOVE!!
First I’ll comment on the peanut butter cup…that is my favorite candy, so I need this in my life! Haha. Now, Iove Thanksgiving memories. I have the fondest times spent with my brother and his wife and kids growing up. (he is 18 years older than me) We always had a huge spread, and the certain recipes are no longer around because family passed away far too soon.
I am so touched by your stories of Thanksgiving, Ali. I come from a close family too and they’re all such treasures. I wish we could get together more often. x
I really appreciate how you reminisce here; my family is 1200 miles away and my husband’s parents passed long before I met him. Sometimes, holidays are a little hard. There is a saying I’ve read not to regret aging because it is a gift denied to many. We just give thanks for each year and when we are with family, each who can be there and try to focus on that . And of course, the beauty of the tradition in our foods.
Can I give you my address? I’d like all the Thanksgiving leftovers 🙂 ps: We’re traditionalists at our house too, but this year my sister brought the most amazing pumpkin and wild rice soup. It was fun to branch out a bit and there wasn’t a drop left.
I loved the nostalgic tale of your Thanksgivings. Over the years my Thanksgivings like yours have ebbed and flowed. This was the first year we didn’t host in a long time. It felt weird and sad yet a little wonderful at the same time. The good news is that many of us are still able to get together, right?
It amazes me that even though we live in different continents some things are the same. The feelings you describe of your grandmom’s preparations and cooking bring memories of my own grandmom. Boy, she could cook! I am told I have her touch in the kitchen but I am not convinced. I do love to have family over for the holidays. I just can’t say with a straight face that we enjoy each others company so much. Not with my in laws we don’t.
Thanksgiving is a time for family – to be together, to create memories, to savor the warmth of togetherness. Like you, many of our relatives have passed away. However, there is always a new addition to the family, and the kids are growing fast, turning into adults right before our very eyes. Yes, I, too, am thankful that I am still someone’s daughter.
There is so much more to celebrations like Thanksgiving where the entire family gets together. There is a strange sense of belonging, bonding, but over time this seems to be losing the magic and the charm that we felt when we were kids. Not sure if it is something to do with our own growing up or the change in circumstances.
Grandmother’s definitely have some serious flare and always seem to make the baking look easy x
It must be strange how much prep you put into Thanksgiving and how quickly it’s over, I always feel like that about Christmas. I need to make this chocolate and peanut butter cup as they’re my two favourite things x
I have friends who celebrate Thanksgiving, and it seems a lovely time for a family affair. Sadly their family was broken as two of their sons are currently positioned in different countries. I know how much of an effect it can be when things change. Sounds like you have some wonderful traditions, and some lovely memories.
Your Thanksgiving memories are wonderful, I could feel the warmth of your family as I was reading 🙂 As times change and move on you will always have those shared moments to remember x
Its so nice to read about your family memories, those are the moments which become so precious to us. Here in the UK we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but we have a similar family orientated meal at Christmas which I still adore. As in your case, it’s different now than when I was a child, but still the same fun loving, affectionate time with people you love. So glad you had a good time!
When I was a kid we would visit my Aunt Brenda’s house on Thanksgiving fairly often. It was never set in stone but when we did go, I always enjoyed the food. It’s nice to learn that others have a tradition that they actually stick with, my family was never like that. This could be why it means so much to me to do that kind of thing for my daughter, we usually cook at our home and invite everyone over, this year was a smaller affair, and I enjoyed it.
It is always great to enjoy the company of the people you are close to especially on Thanksgiving. The hard part is saying goodbye in my opinion.
Holy cow Ali, the timing of this is crazy. I seriously just came to your website to look for a chocolate peanut butter pie recipe for the holidays! What are the odds we’re on exactly the same wavelength?
This looks amazing, can’t wait to make it this weekend!
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but we do have such festivals where the family comes together and traditional dishes are prepared. And I have never been able to recreate the magic that my mother and grand mothers had in their cooking style. But am not a great cook so, guess it’s ok! 😉
As alawys, thanks for sharing the recipe.
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK but I can totally relate to how you feel about Thanksgiving. Though over the years the numbers may have depleted or changed at our Christmas meals, it is generally the same – the same topics around the table, the delicious food cooked by family. Appreciating what we have and being thankful for it.
I’m definitely going to have to give this peanut butter cup recipe a try – I am sure my whole family would love it!
We don’t have Thanksgiving here, but so much of this post rang true for me when I’m with my family at Christmas, it was so wonderfully written. The love you have for your family shone through, it put a smile on my face 🙂
This peanut butter cup looks spectacular! My family doesn’t live in the states anymore, so Thanksgiving is different every year. While I love big family get-togethers, the intimate, smaller friends and family times are sometimes even more memorable.
What lovely Thanksgiving memories. I definitely agree this time of the year is perfect for baking, and eating homemade goods!
This peanut butter cup looks amazing! Although, even though I love chocolate (more than anything!) and peanut butter, I’m just not a fan of them together. But it does looks really delicious!
Reading your post bring so much emotion to me. Truly thanksgiving is a great time to bond with family, though sometimes it also brings sadness when you remember people that you use to dwell and dine with and for the current celebration is no longer around. Nevertheless, always thankful for loves ones that still within reach.
Family time is the best time! Since we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas is my most favourite family time! I am going home soon and I really can’t wait, and maybe I can make this gorgeous peanut butter cup with my mum!
Wow! This looks incredible. My oldest is a huge freak for peanut butter cups so he would love something like this. I would love to make it with my kids, what a fun idea! We did Thanksgiving back in October here in Canada and it brings me such joy to spend time with my loved ones!
We don’t really celebrate thanksgiving, but I love it whenever we get to gather aroung in my grandma’s home, and the best part is: All the yummy recipes she makes for us and the hilarious stories each family member shares with the others ♥
I read the title and I was all like *AUDIBLE GASP*! I cannot begin to tell you how much of a peanut butter cups fan I am.. Glad you had a great Thanksgiving! We don’t celebrate it here in Europe but I think we need to have a day like that when we just gather around with the family and be thankful for what we’ve got!
Your posts are always so beautifully written. But this one is my favourite. I love how grateful you are that you are still someone’s daughter. Family will always be part of us no matter what. And most of the time, repeated tradition will make us realise how important the family is.
Family get together are always a treat! We don’t have a tradition on Thanksgiving in India, but reading about your experience of celebrating it, seems like you had a amazing Thanksgiving celebration. And above all I just can resist the temptation of making peanut butter cup this weekend! Thanks to you, for sharing a wonderful recipe with us. Hope I can make it as good as yours 🙂
Oh man, this went up the day AFTER my (peanut-butter-and-chocolate-loving) husband’s birthday! Lucky for him, I promised a weekend-long celebration.
Ahh this looks so incredible! I love peanut butter cups – but this is definitely the biggest I have ever seen! I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but love reading all about how other people celebrate it. x
Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday and it’s so hard to see traditions, menus, and the guests change. I suppose that’s part of the magic of the holiday, being thankful for where we are at that point in time and who we are with.
I am from Indonesia, Bali. We don’t celebrate Christmas but we do celebrate our traditional ceremony for Hinduism it called Galungan. My parents usually prepare authentic Balinese food which you can not find anywhere in the world. We make dishes from young coconut skin with traditional Balinese herb spices. I would love to try the recipe if I have time.
I made this over the weekend for a dinner party and received rave reviews. I didn’t have a tart pan and easily used an 8-inch cake pan, the edges of the crust even stayed up. I also used gluten-free shortbread cookies and it turned out great. Added a tablespoon or so of chunky peanut butter, which made for a really nice crunch.
We dont officially celebrate Thanksgiving here, but as we have many American friends we do celebrate with them. I love this holiday and all the traditions that come along with it. It is a time to be grateful for all the things we have and to be surrounded by loved ones.
A local restaurant here in Dayton, Ohio, serves a peanut butter pie with a chocolate crust that I love, but have never quite gotten around to recreating it. And now you’ve done my work for me, plus chocolate on top!