Sunday, November 16, 2025

Great American Thanksgiving Feast by Joan Reeves

Mums, pumpkins, corn in shucks, and squash characterize autumn as much as cooler temperatures and shorter days.

Like many home chefs, I've been shopping for those items along with sweet potatoes, fresh cranberries, and turkey.

Yes, it's time here in America where we plan Thanksgiving dinner with as much organization and intelligence gathering—is anyone at the table allergic to pecans?—as a general planning a military campaign.

The menu is set for the big day, the board games are selected, tasks are assigned, and all that is left is to feed the houseguests who will arrive the night before the big feast.

Fortunately, a hearty bowl of gumbo, salad, and home baked crusty French bread are easy to prepare in advance. I know those are universally liked by everyone showing up at my house for the Thanksgiving Eve dinner. To finish the simple meal with panache, I'll fix a chocolate cherry dessert that will get rave reviews when served hot—with vanilla ice cream for those who like an extra kick of sweetness.

That recipe is my Thanksgiving gift to you! It's super easy and is loved by most people who try it. Yes, it's an old-fashioned dump cake and must have been created by some busy woman who was a genius at making something delicious, easy, and time saving.

No, it's not low calorie or low fat, but it's a once a year treat so enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CHERRY DELIGHT

Ingredients

2 cans cherry pie filling

1 box of chocolate cake mix

1 stick of butter, salted or unsalted

1 9x13 baking dish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (190 degrees C.)

2. Prepare the casserole dish by spraying with Pam or something similar that doesn't have a distinctive flavor.

3. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly in the dish.

4. Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the top of the cherry filling but don't mix it in.

5. Cut the stick of butter into pats and place them evenly all over the top of the cake mix.

6. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

7. Remove from the oven and let stand at least 10 minutes so it won't scald anyone's mouth when they eat it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU...

AND ALL THOSE GATHERED

AROUND YOUR TABLE.

P. S. Be sure and check out my holiday book that goes on sale on Thanksgiving Day as well as all the other books I have on sale.

As always, find me online at these usual places. 
  
Find me online: 




Want advance notice of sales and new releases along with exclusive content?
Sign up for I LOVE READING, Joan's free newsletter.

1 comment:

  1. I had forgotten about Cherry Delight. Now I need to have some! Happy Thanksgiving, Joan.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting on Smart Girls Read Romance. We love readers and love their comments. We apologize that due to a few unethical spammers we've had to institute comment moderation. Please be patient with us... we DO want your genuine comments!