And that’s just the baking part.
This took me hours and hours while still forgetting to let the cream cheese reaching room temperature; so I had to wake up earlier to do the cheesecake.
I just apologized to my mom for not helping out more as a kid. She laughed and told me that she enjoyed making Thanksgiving dinner as much as she appreciates the help she gets, now that we’re older.
I hope you guys have a good day. 🥧
by caf4676
47 Comments
Totally. Your spread looks great!
Anyone who makes an entire meal without complaining is an incredible person! I also apologized to my mom for not helping as a kid. Maybe treat her to something nice once the holidays are over?
Your spread looks incredible!
Happy Thanksgiving, American friends!
So real. My grandma passed not too long ago, and every Thanksgiving, my parents, my siblings, and I always say “how tf did she do everything on her own???” while trying to make everything between the six of us lol.
that i think apple pie looks heavenly. the way it bubbled is just absolutely chefs kiss.
I have never understood families that have one person make the entire Thanksgiving meal, my family has always been potluck style. That seems like an insane amount of pressure to put on one person
I know! My mom had so many pies, had to have everyone’s favorite. She did this well into her 70s/80s.
I’m tired just thinking about it. And this was all the day before the main meal cooking. And if you were a guest in her home, she would cook a huge full breakfast for everyone before preparing the celebration meal (Thanksgiving or Christmas).
My grandmother did the same. Makes you realize what you should have been thankful for. Slow release thanks.
I loved making the pies as a kid.
I can’t believe you did all that yourself. I’m exhausted and when I thought about it, I only did the shopping and made whipped sweet potatoes, lemon cream pie and almond cream pie. And I gave up at the end and used store bought crust. I premade the almond cream on Sunday and my daughter zested and squeezed all the lemons for the cream. And I still was up until 10:30 last night cooking and cleaning.
Anyway! Yes, I can’t imagine it not being a joint effort…every family contributes. My kids also have started helping make pies a few years ago because they all have a favorite pie they want at the table but I can’t make that many pies! So they all make one to bring to the gathering. They are older teens and it’s been a good way to build their skills and also show them what a labor of love cooking can be.
Your pies look amazing!
She must have gotten the keys to the city.
My mother used to do all of it too!!! Only because she refused to let anyone else do it. It was only when she got older and realized she was too old for that shit that she started letting us help.
So much of getting older for me has been moments like this where I realize how little I noticed of how much my parents were doing for us. Your post reminded me to be a little extra thankful for them today, so thank you. Your pies look incredible also!
My daughter and I share the bulk of the work. I used to do 90% of it by myself.
Same here, I went to bed late baking and woke up early cooking LOL. Enjoy your day!
It looks delicious and you’re very talented. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Could you please tell us what all those pies are? I’m not american, so can only guess one might be pumpkin.
I’m eyeballing that chocolate cream pie… Okay, off to blind-bake a pie crust!
Just going to say this now, was planning pumpkin pie and cheesecake, but didn’t think about the cream cheese and now pulling them out, thank you!!!
I very much appreciate anyone who enjoys making such a huge meal. I am not cut from that cloth. We did catering this year, and I’m so happy. 🤗
I realize now that I took a lot for granted; I would give anything to wake up to the smell of her Thanksgiving cooking.
Good job and Happy Thanksgiving!
Not gonna lie… I love doing the whole meal plus desserts. The kitchen is my happy place.
The spreads my mum used to make. I can’t fathom!
Sometimes extra “help” isn’t help at all.
I am nearing 80 so my daughter who is nearing 50 helps do the heavy lifting. I prepare the turkey for the oven and she puts it in. Same with pies. Yesterday, my granddaughter and I baked and I supervised. LOL…She did great making pie crusts.
I do it all by myself. I host upwards of 20-25 people for most major holidays. I enjoy doing it. My body hasn’t enjoyed it as much over the last few years, but I’ve learned how to be more efficient, which helps.
Edit: A good tip is to gather all your ingredients on the counter the night before (except for milk, eggs, whipping cream, and cream cheese). I put everything out, including the butter (except for butter that has to be used cold). Then first thing the next morning, before I even pour my coffee, I get out the cream cheese and any eggs I’ll be using to warm, so that by the time I’m ready to start, everything is usually perfect.
It’s 7-8 pies..if you’re used to it it’s nothing and takes no time. Your mom is still amazing for making her what seems to be a “signature” contribution and they look great!
Isn’t it nuts?!
Also, what is the pie on the far left? It looks so silky and delicious!
My son (15) and I started Tuesday, chopped all the veggies. Yesterday we made 4 pies and put together dinner rolls. Today we cook everything, but with all the mise en place done it should be pretty easy.
Thanks for reminding me that I need to pull out my cream cheese lol
A great chef loves their work. I can tell – if this is just part of what your mom would do – she’s a great chef. Well-organized, great management and multitasking skills.
Her reaction to you tells me she is a treasure. As a mom or adults myself, I applaud you for appreciating her (and telling her!) and I’m sure she’s a great mom. 💜
The most i ever hosted was 12. I did everything (including cleanup) and loved every minute. I wouldn’t want to do it every year, but I was so proud of that meal.
That’s one superhero mom, that is!!
Aussie here….. I can’t fathom thanksgiving. It’s hardly a month away from repeating the said effort for Christmas?
My dad would do that too, the day before thanksgiving or christmas was all baking.
That’s so much pie! And it all looks delicious. How many people are you feeding?
I wish I could take over Thanksgiving lol. I really love cooking, my mom doesn’t but she still insists on cooking once a year for Thanksgiving.
When I was younger my great great aunts would do the entire thing themselves. The prepping and cooking and serving. They we’re in their 90s. Like… how!?
Also your stuff looks great!
Yeah, it’s just my husband and kids each year, but I go all out because it just seems like what you’re supposed to do. I’m a zombie from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through New Years.
But my kids are happy and building memories. I just hope when they’re grown they’ll think they were special times.
Looks awesome! I just baked a pound cake and I’m exhausted. 🤣
In my younger days, I’d have welcomed that challenge. Now I’m doing good if I can whip up one pumpkin pie lol.
Growing up my mom would always do everything, until I got old enough to help. I like the way my in laws do it! They just have everyone bring a couple dishes and boom it’s not overwhelming for anyone!
I enjoy making Thanksgiving dinner for my family, but what envy of the OP is the barren countertops. The only thing I wish I had was a bit larger kitchen.
Our moms were built different.
Seriously. My grandma too and I come from a huge family. As a kid it was just as fun and magical as christmas because I could help and couldnt wait for my cousins and family to come over. I hosted ONCE as an adult for my immediate family and that was plenty 😂
Whats the choclatey looking pie at the end there??
I love baking day with mom! But it does take a lot
I’m doing solo Thanksgiving prep this year and honestly, it’s so much easier. Normally my in-laws host and I split with my MiL but they’re flying back from visiting their daughter today. We have a small crew so I made:
Chocolate cream pie
Pumpkin pie
Apple pie
Sweet potato casserole
Potato au gratin
Mac and cheese (for the kiddo who will eat nothing else)
Mashed potatoes (au gratin is a new recipe and I’m not sure if it’ll be a winner)
Green bean almondine
Turkey
Rolls
Cranberry sauce
All from scratch. Honestly, planning and cooking by myself is less stressful than splitting with my MIL.
In Hawaii our culture is always pot luck style. Bring a dish, paper plates, drinks, anything you can. Come hungry, stay and holo holo then crash out! lol