Worth the Wait
Ah, Thanksgiving turkey. The dish we wait all year for. Then there's the pumpkin pie, the mashed potatoes and gravy, and of course, the cranberry sauce. After Thanksgiving comes all the Christmas goodies that we can (technically) only have once a year, and then we're back to waiting until the calendar turns again. Sure, while many of these treats aren't impossible to find outside their usual season, they're often only widely available for a few weeks or months. Oh, how we wish these 20 seasonal foods were available year-round...
1. Pumpkin Pie
Turkey might be the centerpiece in every Thanksgiving dinner, but it wouldn't feel complete without that delicious slice of pumpkin pie to end the night. Although you could bake one whenever you wanted, most people associate its distinctive flavor with fall celebrations.
2. Candy Canes
Sure, you might not have had a candy cane since you were a wee kid, but the moment you see them, you know exactly what it's time for: Christmas. As soon as December approaches, these red-and-white peppermint candies start popping up everywhere in every imaginable size. They might even show up on your tree!
3. Peeps
Those brightly colored marshmallow chicks? Yep, they're perhaps among the most recognizable Easter candies—at least in the US, anyway. Past their colorful exterior, Peeps are especially known for their soft, chewy interior that might satisfy your sweet tooth a little too well.
4. Candy Corn
Halloween comes with Halloween treats, and whether you love it or hate it, candy corn is practically unavoidable during spooky season. Sure, you (and your kids) are unlikely to reach for these too-sweet candies, but no one can deny how tightly they're tied to October and fall.
5. Cranberry Sauce
You know what else Americans are looking forward to every Thanksgiving? Besides the turkey, pumpkin pie, and gravy, it's cranberry sauce. Whether you prefer it homemade or you swear by the canned variety, its tart flavor has become the ultimate side to seasonal feasts.
6. Eggnog
Christmas isn't just about candy canes, of course. In fact, most adults look forward to eggnog, that rich beverage that's made with milk, eggs, sugar, (booze), and those cozy, warm spices. As soon as they start appearing in grocery stores, you're probably stocking up!
7. King Cake
Mardi Gras celebrations wouldn't be complete without king cake! This colorful, once-a-year ring-shaped pastry that's typically decorated with purple, green, and gold sugar also includes a somewhat odd surprise: a small plastic baby. Whoever finds it is the next host!
8. Green Bean Casserole
Despite containing ingredients available year-round, green bean casserole remains a Thanksgiving staple—yep, even for those who don't like green beans! Outside of fall celebrations, this creamy, crunchy side dish is a holiday favorite that many rarely think about making the rest of the year.
9. Conversation Hearts
Like candy corn, these tiny pastel-colored candies with cute messages might not be everyone's favorite sweet to snack on during Valentine's Day, but that doesn't mean their chalky texture isn't still instantly recognizable! Once February 14 passes, though, they're gone in a poof.
10. Gingerbread Cookies
If you're a big fan of gingerbread, you could pull up the recipe year-round and build your own little house, but this treat is still solely a Christmas thing. Plus, who can get enough of decorating all the windows, roofs, and doors with icing and peppermint candy?
11. Chocolate Easter Bunnies
Don't like Peeps? That's okay: there are also chocolate Easter bunnies to celebrate the occasion! These seasonal treats come in everything from miniature milk chocolate versions to enormous decorated rabbits, meaning you can mix and match as much as you want for your basket.
12. Pumpkin Spice Donuts
You know fall has arrived when you start seeing pumpkin spice everywhere! From pumpkin spice drinks to pumpkin spice donuts, the combination of cinnamon sugar and sweet glaze is, for lack of better words, to die for. And since they're only available for a limited time, you'll have to grab one before the holidays kick in!
13. Sweet Potato Casserole
Not fond of green bean casserole? Don't worry—sweet potato casserole is another Thanksgiving tradition in many American households, especially across the South. Topped with toasted marshmallows, buttery pecans, or a mixture of brown sugar and spices, it's a bummer this sweet-and-savory dish doesn't appear on our dinner tables all year!
14. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
We know, we know: chocolate-covered strawberries don't seem that seasonal, but you can't argue that they aren't closely tied to Valentine's Day! After all, when February rolls around, that's when you see all the different varieties, with specially decorated boxes featuring white chocolate drizzle, pink accents, and heart-shaped packaging.
15. Peppermint Bark
Another Christmas staple? Peppermint bark, of course! Made with layers of dark and white chocolate topped with crushed peppermint candies, it's a favorite for holiday gifting and dessert platters. You'll often find many versions during November and December, only for them to be discontinued once the New Year comes.
16. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is a classic American dessert that's especially popular when fresh strawberries are in season. That means if you want to eat a slice, you'll have to wait until late spring or early summer! That's when the berries are at their ripest and sweetest, after all.
17. Caramel Apples
You could technically melt some sugar and drizzle it all over an apple at home, but where's the fun in that? This treat is best enjoyed in the fall, when pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and Halloween festivals start popping up everywhere! More than that, these sweet apples are closely connected to autumn harvesting, which explains why they're much easier to find during September and October.
18. Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Valentine's Day doesn't just bring chalky candy hearts and chocolate strawberries—you'll also get to enjoy an abundance of heart-shaped sugar cookies. Bakeries and grocery stores often sell these specially decorated treats throughout early February, which means once the day of love passes, it's bye-bye until next year.
19. Hot Cross Buns
While hot cross buns originated in Britain, they've also become a familiar tradition in the US, so you'll see these distinct sweetened rolls when Easter rolls around! Their signature cross alone makes them instantly recognizable, and bakeries often only bake them during the weeks surrounding Easter.
20. Stuffing
What's Thanksgiving turkey without the stuffing? Heck, to some, it's even more important than the roast itself! Typically made with bread cubes, herbs, and vegetables, families often have their own treasured recipes, which helps explain why this side dish remains such an important part of the annual holiday meal.
