{"id":445,"date":"2024-06-02T12:35:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-02T04:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/22\/5-ways-to-hack-thanksgiving\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T21:04:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T13:04:57","slug":"5-ways-to-hack-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/?p=445","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Hack Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"The<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re like me, next week you\u2019re gonna be running around like a chicken ( or a turkey ) with your head cut off. You\u2019re on a time crunch, but you wanna show up to Thanksgiving dinner with something super vibey. You know? Something that makes you feel like you\u2019ve been slaving away in the kitchen to create something that everyone is going to love. This year, we\u2019re going to Cabo and needless to say, I\u2019m very excited.<\/p>\n

But you know I got ya covered when things get crazy.<\/p>\n

Today I\u2019m sharing 5 hacks that will make all the difference. We\u2019re going to discuss Kris Jenner\u2019s famous lemon cake ( it\u2019s out of a box ), homemade potpourri ( to make your house smell fucking delicious ), mulled wine ( yum ), fake cake ( yes you read that right- FAKE CAKE- it\u2019ll look like you spent 5 hours baking but actually it only takes 5 minutes ), & cinnamon cider Brussels sprouts ( this recipe is a game-changer & makes the best side\u2026let me tell ya ).<\/p>\n

We\u2019re on a bit of a time crunch ( lol ), so let\u2019s get right to it.<\/p>\n

THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL THANKSGIVING HACKS<\/h2>\n

Kris Jenner\u2019s lemon cake<\/h5>\n

We want to show up with a cake or something festive. But in reality who has time to bake 3 cakes? I sure don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Well I just solved this problem for you. Eer, well actually Kris Jenner did.<\/p>\n

Let me explain. A few years ago I was watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians<\/em>. You know the one where Kris & Khloe have a bake-off? Missed that one? Oh, well it was a good one.<\/p>\n

Anyway, they have this whole bake-off & Kris makes her famous cake. A cake she\u2019s been making for 20 years. Actually she even is said to have made it for Lamar Odom weekly when he was married to Khloe, #TBT. AND IT\u2019S A LEMON CAKE!<\/p>\n

Of course you know how I love lemon so my ears perked up from my laptop. Khloe gives her so much shit because this famous cake she bakes is out of a box. Well two boxes, actually- but we\u2019ll get to that.<\/p>\n

Listen, I am a busy bitch so something like this is right up my alley. I like Kris\u2019 style. She does it all & bakes an insane, delicious, famous lemon cake? I want IN.<\/p>\n

Like I love the whole juggle of the situation.<\/p>\n

So I investigated.<\/h6>\n

AT FIRST all I could find was Kris saying \u201cfresh eggs & fresh oil, duh<\/em>.\u201d I LIVE. But I dug deep into the deep, dark web & found one measly article on Kris Jenner\u2019s famous lemon cake.<\/p>\n

\"Kris<\/p>\n

\"Kris<\/p>\n

On I went to make the cakes. There I was, Suzy Fucking Homemaker ready to show up to Christmas ( obviously they\u2019re perfect for Thanksgiving too ) with my hands full of cakes for everyone. Not boring cakes either\u2026TASTY, buttery soft lemon cakes! You know my relationship with lemon!! In fact, this is the perfect yearly tradition for me!<\/p>\n

Who gives a shit if it\u2019s out of the box?<\/p>\n

Ok, Khloe does. But I sure don\u2019t! I\u2019m more of a Kris than a Khloe anyway. You?<\/p>\n

Moving right along.<\/p>\n

This is a total GET SHIT DONE CAKE. The \u201crecipe\u201d is so easy & no one will know.<\/h6>\n

Anyway, you don\u2019t have all day so let\u2019s get to the easiest recipe in the world?<\/p>\n

Alright: first things first- it\u2019s basically\u00a0Duncan Hines\u00a0Lemon Supreme Cake Mix, JELLO lemon instant pudding mix ( this is the SECRET ingredient I feel ), vegetable oil, eggs, & milk. There\u2019s a glaze too, made with powdered sugar, & lemon juice. YESSSS.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get exact though, according to the\u00a0Duncan Hines<\/em> site:<\/p>\n

KRIS JENNER\u2019S FAMOUS LEMON CAKE<\/h5>\n

+ Makes 12-16 servings<\/p>\n

1 package DUNCAN HINES SIGNATURE DELICIOUSLY MOIST LEMON SUPREME CAKE MIX<\/p>\n

1 package lemon instant pudding Mix ( 4 serving size )<\/p>\n

1\/2 cup vegetable oil<\/p>\n

1 cup water<\/p>\n

4 cage-free eggs<\/p>\n

+++ GLAZE: blend 1 cup powdered sugar w\/ either 2 tbsp. milk or 2 tbsp. lemon juice ( use juice of 3 lemons- we like it tart )<\/p>\n

+ directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend all ingredients in a large bowl; then beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Bake in a greased & floured tube pan, 10\u2033 or fluted at 350 degree for 45-55 minutes, until center springs back when touched lightly. Cool right side up in pan for about 25 minutes, then invert onto serving plate. GLAZE: Poke holes in the cake and then drizzle.<\/p>\n

* note: I multiplied the recipe x 4 because I made 4 cakes- my fam, Michael\u2019s, a friend, & Michael\u2019s aunt!<\/p>\n

& this my friends, is how you get<\/strong> shit done like Kris J.<\/em><\/p>\n

Anyone else want to be like Kris Jenner? Or are you more of a Khloe? Khloe does her shit from scratch. If you want to be even more like Kris Jenner, you stalk her bougie, chic cocktail glasses.<\/p>\n

Homemade potpourri<\/h5>\n

There\u2019s something to be said about the phrase \u201chome for the holidays.\u201d This homemade potpourri,\u00a0created by my step-mom, Julie, is constantly brewing at my parents\u2019 house during the holiday season. Its spicy essence creates a warm feeling of sensory memory. It immediately transforms the ambience to a Thanksgiving & Christmas feeling. The best part? No calories<\/em>\u2013 the smell of festive spirit is enough to alleviate the temptation of baked goods.<\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n

+ 1.5 cups of spicy apple cider<\/p>\n

+ 1 gala apple<\/p>\n

+ 2 oranges<\/p>\n

+ 8 cinnamon sticks<\/p>\n

+ 6 whole nutmegs<\/p>\n

+ 1 dash of ground cloves<\/p>\n

+ 2 dashes of pumpkin spice<\/p>\n

\u2661 Put everything in to a small pot. When there are people at home, turn the stove on the lowest simmer. But like, DO NOT forget to turn it off when no one is home!!!<\/p>\n

HOT TIP: This glass pot is the chicest thing ever. It\u2019s like decor for your stove. It\u2019s lightweight, but sturdy and the best part, is you can see all the beautiful colors of the ingredients.<\/p>\n

This concoction lasts for two weeks and it\u2019s totally normal for the ingredients to shrivel up over the days. Just keep adding splashes of spicy apple cider every few days.<\/p>\n

Mulled wine<\/h5>\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 bottle of red wine<\/p>\n

A handful of whole cloves<\/p>\n

A couple of cinnamon sticks<\/p>\n

Zest of an organic orange<\/p>\n

+ Directions: simmer all ingredients over low-medium heat for ten minutes. Strain & pour into mugs. Then garnish with the zest of an orange. Mandatory: drink in front of a fire. K?<\/p>\n

Cheers.<\/p>\n

\"Mulled<\/p>\n

Fake cake<\/h5>\n

Here are the details: go to the market, grab a frosting-less cake ( Yes. They have these. If your local market doesn\u2019t have these, go to another one because their cake game is OFF ), & then get some pretty flowers ( I usually choose orange & yellow ), & throwback cream cheese pre-made frosting.<\/p>\n

\"thanksgiving<\/p>\n

At home, simply cut the flowers so the stems are about one inch long. Frost your pathetic\/frosting-less cake & sprinkle pomegranate seeds down the middle of the cake, adding flowers\u00a0where ever it looks cute.<\/p>\n

Of course if you have actual<\/em> time to bake the cake yourself, well then aren\u2019t you the star of show, & by all means\u2014 be my guest. Whatever floats your boat on this one. As you can see this is a hack I\u2019ve been into for years.<\/p>\n

This festive cutie is kind of up to you\u2014 modify it to fit your needs. GET CREATIVE. Add fresh herbs, cranberries, yellow rose petals, cinnamon, &\/or pumpkin icing.<\/p>\n

Mmmmm pumpkin icing\u2026<\/p>\n

Cinnamon cider Brussels sprouts<\/h5>\n

A few years ago I was having a Thanksgiving meltdown, trying to think of the perfect TSC recipe for you guys. I didn\u2019t want to skinny-fy something though, ya know? Anyways, when it was really down to the wire, I texted my friend Carly ( aka The Preggers Pantry ) who gave me this recipe. It\u2019s become a Thanksgiving staple, & is so easy & healthy.<\/p>\n

\"Cinnamon<\/p>\n

PLUS, it has the easiest directions ever ( makes four servings ): in a large pan over medium heat, heat oil. Cook Brusssels sprouts ( cut side down ), flipping once until browned for ten to twelve minutes. Add apple & pear; cook until soft for five minutes. Add cider & cinnamon; simmer, stirring, until all liquid cooks away.<\/p>\n

Oh and, a serving offers about 3\/4 of your daily need for Vitamin C.<\/p>\n

So good it hurts.<\/p>\n

Some more TSC hot tips for ya:<\/h4>\n

Kombucha vodkas<\/p>\n

Hot buttered rum<\/p>\n

Pumpkin roll<\/p>\n

Wish you all a relaxing & fun Thanksgiving with family & friends.<\/p>\n

I am very thankful for this community. This is our 13th year celebrating Thanksgiving together & I think that\u2019s pretty major.<\/p>\n

Would love to know what you\u2019re cooking up & if you have any hacks I need to know about it.<\/p>\n

Cheers,<\/p>\n

x, Lauryn<\/p>\n

+ get your gifting done early with my favorite things of the year.<\/em><\/p>\n

++ check out these Black Friday deals.<\/em><\/p>\n

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RULE THANKSGIVING:<\/h3>\n
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\"ShopthePost<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re like me, next week you\u2019re gonna be running around like a chicken ( or a turkey ) with your head cut off. You\u2019re on a time crunch, but you wanna show up to Thanksgiving dinner with something super vibey. You know? Something that makes you feel like you\u2019ve been slaving away in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":446,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=445"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":587,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445\/revisions\/587"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottimosito.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}