Ok, just to be clear: These are not meant to trick anyone into thinking they are sweet cupcakes with real frosting. These little cakelettes are supposed to be appreciated and enjoyed for the quirky novelty that they are—turkey meatloaf, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy all in one festive package. Want to see the layers up close?
We found these cupcakes over at the Fetette blog, and we think they're kind of spectacular. Are they everyone's cup of tea? No. Are they right for a formal dinner with Great Aunt Iris who's suuuper picky about the family recipes? Not really. But for a casual Thanksgiving dinner, they're a fun change.
Anyone who likes to mix everything together on the plate (or who loves those day-after sandwiches layered with turkey, stuffing, and potatoes) would be on board. And even if you don't serve these on Thanksgiving, they're a great way to use up extra mashed potatoes and stuffing; just make a turkey meatloaf and then top them with leftovers.
• Thanksgiving Plate Cakelettes, at Fetette (via Cup of Jo).
What do you think? Do you like your Thanksgiving dishes all mixed together like this? Or does this fall into the "ew" category?
Related: Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe: Mashed Potato Puffs
(Images: Fetette)
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That would be awesome, except for the cranberry. Just not my thing. But, otherwise, it looks great.
First: What a fun take on both thanksgiving and cupcakes! I would happily dig in!
Second: Isn't it kind of sad that commenters on TheKitchn have gotten so intensely persnickety that the author felt the need to defend this quirky concoction right from the get go, anticipating backlash?
I say, bring on more of the weird, funky, mind-melting, palate-discombobulating foods :) You guys rock.
I'm not sure I could eat this without worrying that towards the end I would inflate into a big red cranberry and have to have oompa loompas roll me away.
I wouldn't eat them (partially because I'm a vegetarian and partially because I hate mixing foods), but I love the idea. They would be really good to pack in post-Thanksgiving lunches as well.
I bet you could make a bunch of these, wrap them in tin foil, freeze them and thaw them later for a quick and easy meal. (I'm really big into freezing things for quick and easy meals later... after a weekend of ravioli making and ramekin pot pies)
you can also ditch the cupcake wrapper and do the same thing with rolls - we call it thanksgiving in a roll! not as pretty as these cupcakes, but just as delicious :) (i'm a vegetarian, and my husband just leaves the turkey out of a few of them for me - still good. but i think that cranberry makes everything good!)
Why not just microwave a Hot Pocket and have done with it? Or blend it all into a super-nutritious, holiday-riffic shake? Even if it all mixes up (violently) in your stomach later, putting all the food together into one item is unappetizing and seems beside the point of a holiday feast.
This would be better if the cranberry were between the turkey meatloaf and the stuffing, instead of on top of the mashed potatoes. Cranberry sauce + potatoes = yuck. Cranberry sauce + delicious salty meats = yum.
Cute idea, though. Full disclosure: I am the person who likes to mix things. Except I don't usually do it on the plate. I'm more like a, stab a piece of turkey, smear on some cranberry sauce, eat it, have a bite of potatoes, have a bite of pickle, have a bite of stuffing, etc. Then I do it all over again, generally in the same order.
I feel like this could be especially fun for kids.
Use a dollop of cranberry sauce as the filling for the meatloaf portion (this satisfies vintagejenta's concern) and then put something from the relish tray on top as the "cherry."
The true purpose of these "cupcakes," though is not Tg dinner. The true purpose is "what to do with leftovers on the Friday during a blizzard with several antsy mid-sized children." Elaborate cupcake construction keeps 'em busy and quiet.
QUOTE:I say, bring on more of the weird, funky, mind-melting, palate-discombobulating foods :) You guys rock.
Agreed.
there was a great thanksgiving cake last year similar to these, i love the cupcakes too. im totally going to have cake and cupcakes for thanksgiving some year.
I love this. But then again, I am a HUGE fan of the day-after-Tday sandwich. Yum.
This reminds me of what I imagine the concept was behind the KFC bowls.
My parents have this tradition of turning Thanksgiving leftovers into an inedible soupy slop of gravy, turkey and dressing. I suppose it's a quick way to heat everything up in one pot, but I'm not a fan.
#justthrewupalittleinmymouth
I will never make these (my ambition is exhausted by regular two-part cupcakes), but they are still totally awesome.
Haters gonna hate.
I'd love one of these right now.
Here in the UK there are a few similar (called Christmas though) things sold in various shops - sandwiches with turkey and all the trimmings as well as a soup!