15 Regional Treats Santa Would Love That Aren't Milk And Cookies
Move over sugar cookies.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Torie Cox
Milk and cookies, plus maybe a few carrots for the reindeer, might be what Santa is expecting on Christmas Eve, but why not leave out something a little more special and unique to the South? And we're not talking pimiento cheese, potato salad, Brunswick stew, or gumbo: Those beloved recipes won't curb a sweet tooth.
Some of these Santa-worthy desserts are tied to individual states, like Kentucky Bourbon Balls, or are even hyper-local to a particular city, like Round Top's Texas Trash Pie; others are claimed by the wider South, like pralines and cheese straws. But wherever in the region the recipe hails from, you're sure to be on Santa's nice list when you give him a taste of the South with these treats—many of which have garnered attention outside of their hometowns to become widely known as Southern specialities. This season, switch out your ho-hum cookies for one of these regional treats Santa is sure to love.
German Chocolate Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Although the name suggests otherwise, this chocolate cake with coconut-pecan frosting hails from Dallas, Texas, and dates back to the 1950s. As one of the most popular Southern cakes of all time, your family is sure to enjoy it before you leave out a slice for Santa.
Mississippi Mud Cake
Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
Any guesses where this decadent dessert first got its start? The rich chocolate cake speckled with pecans is topped with a layer of marshmallows then drizzled with chocolate frosting after baking.
Kentucky Bourbon Pie
As one of the South's most beloved desserts, the combination of bourbon, chocolate, and pecans is hard to beat. Also known as Derby Pie, its history is more layered than one might expect.
Southern Cheese Straws
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
While cheese straws might not be tied to a particular part of the South, you might find the recipes vary slightly by region. Regardless, these six-ingredient, cheesy snacks with a hint of heat are truly beloved by all.
Classic Southern Pound Cake
While every Southerner claims to have their own perfect version of this old-time classic, we're claiming this recipe as the ultimate simple Southern delicacy. And we think Santa will agree when he gets a slice.
Texas Trash Pie
The original recipe for Texas Trash Pie was created by the Royer family in Round Top, Texas. While it's still a staple in the Texas Hill Country, you'll find bakers across the South making this pie that relies on pantry staples.
New Orleans Beignets
If you've ever been to New Orleans, chances are you've stopped by the historic Cafe du Monde to try their famous beignets and chicory coffee. Our recipe is a taste of the fan-favorite doughnuts at home.
Kentucky Bourbon Balls
Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
We can all thank the Bluegrass State for these six-ingredient, no-bake confections that get an extra coating of chocolate. You're practically guaranteed to be left with an empty plate—just be sure to save one for Saint Nick.
Pecan Pralines
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Torie Cox
This pecan praline recipe is specific to the Lone Star state where they are relatively flat, hard, and somehow both creamy and crispy. If they're chewy, they're not Texan.
Bourbon Balls
These small bites pack a powerful punch thanks to the Southern spirit. While they've been a long-time favorite across the region, they're said to have originated in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1938.
Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
It's not exactly clear how Texas got the credit for this fudgy sheet cake, but what we do know is it's a crowd favorite that Santa is sure to devour.
Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines
This well-known New Orleans favorite puts a Southern twist on a traditional European sweet with Southern-grown pecans and rich buttermilk.
Over-The-Moon Chocolate Pie
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Inspired by MoonPies which have been made in Chattanooga since 1917, this layered pie is made with a graham cracker crust, rich and silky chocolate filing, and marshmallow meringue.
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding
This traditional Southern dessert shouldn't be confined to backyard barbecues. While it's not connected to a certain state, no one from Texas to Virginia can resist this homemade dish with layers of vanilla wafer cookies, banana slices, vanilla custard homemade, and fluffy meringue.
Brennan's Bananas Foster
Though you'll now find bananas foster on menus across the United States, the recipe was originally created in 1951 at Brennan's, an iconic New Orleans restaurant. The simple recipe is decadent enough for a holiday dinner—or Santa's midnight snack.
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Read the original article on Southern Living.
