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12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season

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Whether you just started dating, recently got engaged or just tied the knot, if you've been invited to your partner's parents' home this holiday season, you don't want to show up empty-handed. And while flowers and wine are a nice touch, we all know the REAL way to someone's heart is through their stomach. Not sure what to whip up to ensure your in-laws fall head over heels in love with you? Well, our friends at Food52 have shared 12 easy to make recipes that will earn you a permanent spot at their holiday table. Enjoy! 1. Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Puffs: These light, sweet puffs are like a delicious doughnut hole...only better thanks to their cake-like consistency, crispy edges, and cinnamon sugar coating. They're best enjoyed while they're still warm, so get up a little early one morning and have these bad boys on the table when everyone else wakes up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=j0gJMUGPIhQ 2. Lazy Mary's Lemon Tart: If your mother-in-law is a fan of all things lemon, this tart dessert is guaranteed to put you in her good graces. The best part? It's quick and easy to make, so you can whip it up at the last minute and still impress everyone with your skills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbjjkiKR1pg 3. Quinoa Cookies with Chocolate Chunks: Who doesn't love a good chocolate chip cookie? We've fallen for this recipe for its use of quinoa; it not only provides a chewy texture and earthy flavor, but the health factor makes us feel a little less guilty if we overindulge. Your father-in-law will appreciate that defense when he's being scolded for going back for thirds! Major brownie points. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by James Ransom  4. Cider Caramel Apple Pie: Step up your baking game with this playful take on apple pie. The tender, flaky crust, the hint of sweetness from the caramel, and the bright apple flavor will make this the official pie at their Thanksgiving table for years to come. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by Mark Weinberg  5. Black Pepper Popovers with Chives: While this recipe is meant to be a breakfast treat, if you were to sneak one at lunch, dinner, or somewhere in between, we wouldn't blame you. The savory nature of these popovers will offer a much-needed respite from all of the sweets on the table. Plus, if you don't finish them at one sitting (you will), your in-laws can reheat them in the oven to enjoy over the next few days. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by James Ransom  6. Roasted Tomato Jam: Perfectly gift-able and undeniably delicious, this tomato jam offers a savory spin on traditional spreads. It's the perfect addition to your bread basket at Thanksgiving dinner and will add some much-needed flavor to your brother-in-law's annual holiday leftover sandwich. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by the Food52 team  7. Gran's Gifted Cheesecake: Show up to your in-laws with this cheesecake in hand, and congratulations, you've just won the holidays. This might just be the best cheesecake ever created thanks to its graham cracker crust, tangy-sweet filling, and hint of almond extract. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by James Ransom  8. Russian Honey Cake: This light yet satisfying cake will be the perfect finale to a heavy holiday meal. And, since you'll bake this one in a bundt pan, it will look all fancy and sophisticated even though it's secretly really easy to make. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by Mark Weinberg  9. Drop Biscuits with Molasses: These biscuits are light and fluffy and sure to satisfy everyone from your partner's grandmother to your new niece or nephew. And the fact that these biscuits are adaptable (you can add dried fruit or dark chocolate chunks) means you can tweak the recipe to accommodate your in-laws' favorite ingredients and become their new favorite guest. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by James Ransom  10. Paul Virant's Pumpkin Butter: Sweet and spreadable, this pumpkin butter doubles as a homemade gift. Bring some for breakfast (transforms toast into a treat) and then present your in-laws with a jar wrapped in ribbon as a thanks for their hospitality. Your in-laws won't be able to stop raving about this butter...or you, for that matter! It's a win-win really. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by James Ransom  11. Brown Butter Bourbon Banana Bread: Show off your spunky personality with this bold twist on the traditional banana bread, which calls for brown butter, bourbon, and caramelized bananas. This is a surefire way to make a good impression because this bread is, well, bananas. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by Alpha Smoot  12. No Fuss Vegan Cornbread: Does one of your partner's parents not eat meat? Let them know you've been paying attention with this vegan cornbread. Even your meat-loving fiance will enjoy this side dish when coupled with a hearty serving of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. 12 Surefire Recipes to Win Over Your In-Laws This Holiday Season Photo by Alpha Smoot   
Kimberly Watson
About The Author
Senior copy editor at Razorfish.
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