The Top Fall Recipe in Every State

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall treat. But my family likes them so much, they ask me to make them all year long! —Brenda Keller, Andalusia, Alabama. Pumpkin is one of the superfoods nutritionists eat every fall.

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays.—Jacque Capurro, Anchorage, Alaska. Leftovers are one of the many reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving.

Tart, juicy cranberries enhance the delicate pumpkin flavor of these muffins. Sometimes I dust the tops with powdered sugar to add a little sweetness. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona. A simple muffin recipe, like this one, is something everyone should know how to cook before 35.

People really do “eat with their eyes,” and no one ever misses the fat and calories in this dish when they see how yummy and attractive the makeover version is. —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas. And this secret ingredient will totally transform your sweet potatoes.

After taste-testing apple cake recipes, I’ve found this particular recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California. Apples are one of the foods that taste so much better in the fall.

This is a wonderful recipe I discovered and changed a bit to suit my taste. I love the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to take to work, he said they disappeared in record time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado. Even seasoned bakers might not realize these baking mistakes you might be making.

This golden, honey-sweetened squash is just as hearty and comforting as your favorite potato dish. With its bright color, it makes an attractive side for special autumn meals. —Bianca Noiseux, Bristol, Connecticut. This recipe just one way to incorporate fall superfoods into your diet.

For a finger-licking finale to any holiday meal, I turn to this light and luscious sweet potato pie laced with just a hint of lemon. Funny how folks always seem able to find room for this delectable dessert! —Peggy West, Georgetown, Delaware. Plan ahead to avoid buying ingredients for this classic pie on the worst day to shop for Thanksgiving.

Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family’s taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida. Add this to the ultimate Thanksgiving menu your family will love.

Tailgating at Friday night high school games brings our children and friends together to share great food. Gumbo is a southern standard that definitely feeds our hungry crowd. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty, and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Or you could switch things up with one of these Thanksgiving recipes with secret ingredients.

As a four-generation Idaho family, we love our easy cheesy potatoes. I have served this cheesy potato recipe for weddings, family dinners and more. These company potatoes have become a favorite for many. —Karla Kimball, Emmett, Idaho. These mashed potatoes are one of the best Thanksgiving recipes of all time.

Cranberry fans will ask for this sauce again and again. It’s loaded with their favorite fruit—in fresh, dried, and juice form. Orange and allspice make it awesome. —Arlene Smulski, Lyons, Illinois. Since you have these recipes ready to go, round out your celebration with these meaningful Thanksgiving traditions.

I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family’s tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana. And we have the secret hack to keep apples from browning.

These creamy tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa. Prepping food ahead of time is one of 25 brilliant kitchen shortcuts you’ll wish you knew sooner.

A touch of cinnamon helps blend the flavors in this tender pumpkin chocolate chip bread. And since the recipe makes two loaves, you can send one to a bake sale and keep one at home for your family to enjoy. —Lora Stanley, Bennington, Kansas. Be bold and use fresh pumpkin from one of the best pumpkin patches in America for this recipe.

My grandmother lived in the Appalachian Mountains and always served straight-from-the-garden corn and beans. I updated her dish with quinoa and herbs. — Kari Napier, Louisville, Kentucky

My father grows a large buttercup squash patch, so each fall, I get an ample amount of his harvest. I make this treat to share with my co-workers. They rave about the moist cake, the crunchy streusel and the applesauce between the layers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine. Coffee is such a versatile ingredient! There are many other ways to cook with coffee.

My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all of the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family’s heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland

This recipe is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts. Don’t for get to add this game-changing secret pie ingredient.

One of my piano students taught me the perfect lesson in holiday recipes: this fresh cranberry salad. The keys are tangy fruit, fluffy marshmallows, and crunchy nuts. —Alexandra Lypecky, Dearborn, Michigan

Pork chops on the grill are hard to beat. The marinade is simple and so good. —Nicholas King, Duluth, Minnesota. Take note of the biggest mistake people make when cooking pork.

If you’re hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner this year, add this simple slow-cooked stuffing to your menu to ease entertaining. The recipe comes in handy when you run out of oven space at large family gatherings. I use this Crock Pot dressing recipe often. —Donald Seiler, Macon, Mississippi. Falling for these slow cooker mistakes could ruin this dish.

I started roasting veggies and serving them often with dinner. Now my children say, “Is it OK to finish the veggies?” Pinch me. —Joan Duckworth, Lee’s Summit, Missouri

My parents stayed with me at a friend’s beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night’s first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana. The best fall superfoods for weight loss include lots of fruits, veggies, and salads.

My family agrees that our Thanksgiving feast would not be complete without these light-as-air crescent rolls. They’re a nice accompaniment to any menu. Baking them always puts me in the holiday spirit. —Rebecca Bailey, Fairbury, Nebraska. Crescent rolls are never a bad idea for a fall side dish, but these Thanksgiving mistakes certainly are.

Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada

My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire. You can take this recipe to the next level if you read how to make meatballs like a professional chef.

I come from a line of family cooks and have liked to cook and bake since I was young. Mother and Grandmom were always in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. These carrot cupcakes were Grandmom’s specialty, and we always have them at family gatherings. —Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio, Vineland, New Jersey

There’s no last-minute rush before the party when you slowly simmer this punch. It has all the tantalizing flavors of fall. —Alpha Wilson, Roswell, New Mexico. Consider adding some of these things to your apple cider, too.

My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy molasses cookies are also great for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York. You just need to choose the right type of molasses.

My favorite way to make baby carrots is to steam them, then drizzle with an orangey glaze that makes them candy-sweet. —Heather Clemmons, Supply, North Carolina

This apple cheesecake won the grand prize in an apple recipe contest. With caramel both on the bottom and over the top, every bite is sinfully delicious. —Lisa Morman, Minot, North Dakota

This beautiful layered cake has a creamy filling with a mild pumpkin flavor and a little spice. It’s quick and always turns out so well. The nuts and caramel topping add a nice finishing touch. —Trixie Fisher, Piqua, Ohio.

For me, football, cool weather, and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma. Or trick your guests with this copycat Wendy’s chili recipe.

If you are traveling to a friend’s or loved one’s for the holidays, bring them something even better than a bottle of wine—this easy to whip up treat! —Arisa Cupp, Sherwood, Oregon

Some of the cooks at the restaurant where I work were talking about stuffed pepper soup. We decided to stir up similar ingredients for a stuffed pepper soup recipe. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania. Slurp down this warm and spicy soup while looking at the best spots for fall foliage in America.

Gorgonzola cheese and sweet potatoes add a fun and flavorful twist to classic stuffed shells. Delicious with a sprinkle of Parmesan, the pasta can be topped with leftover gravy, too. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island

This is one of my husband’s favorite meals. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad, and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina. Make room on the grill for these foods you wouldn’t think to grill, but should, too.

Crazy about chocolate chips? This chewy, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie has plenty, not to mention lots of heart-healthy oatmeal. The gang’ll come back for seconds so this big batch recipe is perfect. This is the best “oat choc chip cookies recipe” you’ll ever taste! —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota. Baking delicious fall treats with friends is one of the best fall bucket list items.

Mom loves sweet potatoes and fixed them often in this creamy, comforting baked sweet potato casserole. With its nutty topping, this side dish could almost serve as a dessert. It’s a yummy treat! —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

One of my friends gave me this recipe, and it quickly became a family favorite. I especially love making this dessert for Thanksgiving. But be forewarned—you can’t eat just one slice! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas. If this recipe sounds like too much sugar, opt for one of these savory pumpkin recipes instead.

Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does. I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah. You could also opt for another crowd-pleaser—this chicken soup recipe with over a million views.

This is one of my family’s favorite dessert recipes, especially for holiday gatherings. —Mary Gecha, Center Rutland, Vermont

I came across this recipe in a local newspaper about ten years ago, and I still make the bread on a regular basis. The recipe conveniently yields a number of mini loaves, making gift-giving easy. —Linda Wood, Roanoke, Virginia

This easy green bean casserole has always been one of my favorite dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington. Speaking of refrigerators, this is how long Thanksgiving leftovers will last in the fridge.

My Great-Aunt Lou made a luscious fresh apple cake recipe that became a family tradition. My mom makes it for our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia

I live in apple country, and a delicious crisp is one good way to use them that doesn’t take a lot of time. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin.

Since trying this stuffing recipe from my sister, I haven’t made any other kind. It’s so moist and tasty. When a big bowlful starts circulating around the table, happy holiday smiles get even bigger! —Connie Olson, Green River, Wyoming. After you finish baking all the recipes on this list, grab some friends to enjoy the best fall activities in every state.