All these recipes get our vote.
Inauguration Day may not be one of those traditional food holidays like, say, Thanksgiving. But it’s still a great opportunity to make a little something special to celebrate or take comfort from, depending. Enjoy these patriotic Inauguration Day recipes.
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What to Cook for Inauguration Day
Inauguration Day will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025. I live in Washington, D.C., so for District residents, this usually means extensive road closures, security perimeters, existential angst or jubilation (depending on your candidate), and lots of visitors.
But I like to think it also means really good eating. Whether your candidate won or lost, we all can agree on these recipes, designed with winter comfort and a little patriotic flavor in mind. From Mary Washington’s gingerbread to J.F.K’s favorite waffles, here are 11 Inauguration Day recipes worth celebrating.
Inauguration Day Recipes for Dessert
Red, white, and blueberry pound cake, anyone? These dessert recipes — some with historic and patriotic flair — will keep Inauguration Day sweet, no matter what.
American Flag Fruit Tart
How gorgeous is this? This centerpiece dessert fresh fruit tart has a base of lemon curd or pastry cream (your pick), plus a tender shortbread crust.
Mary Washington’s Gingerbread Cake
Our first president, George Washington, may not have had the best relationship with his mother, but the woman sure could bake a cake. Her moist, generously-spiced gingerbread takes the cake for all-time great winter desserts — with patriotic flavor to match.
Loaded Cowboy Blondies
Cowboy cookies became well known during the 2000 Bush-Gore election, when Laura Bush’s cowboy cookie recipe beat Tipper Gore’s gingersnaps. These buttery blondies are absolutely stuffed with all the goodness of the original cookie — think pecans, coconut flakes, chocolate chips — but taste fudgy (and frankly, better).
All-American Apple Pie With Butter Crust
Apples are delicious and seasonal right now, making this the perfect reason to bake the most iconic American dessert out there.
Red, White, and Blueberry Pound Cake
A sweet, all-butter pound cake folded with tons of sweet, juicy raspberries and blueberries. This red, white, and blueberry pound cake looks and tastes spectacular.
Patriotic Breakfasts to Start Inauguration Day Right
Make sure you get a good start to the day with these hearty, nourishing breakfasts. These Inauguration Day recipes will keep you fueled up.
J.F.K’s Favorite Waffles
Everyone needs a good waffle recipe. So why not choose light, flavorful buttermilk waffles that just happened to be the favorite of an iconic American president? Here’s Jackie and John Kennedy’s recipe for waffles.
Sour Cream Coffee Crumb Cake
New Jersey crumb buns meet classic coffee cake in an all-American treat. Cake for breakfast is always a right decision on a celebration day, and this one pairs perfectly with your morning cup of joe.
Multigrain Porridge Oatmeal
Channeling good physical as well as mental health today? This recipe takes creamy oatmeal to another level, with quinoa, millet, and lots of good, well-balanced toppings. Top with mixed fresh berries for a red, white, and blue theme.
Sweet Potato Morning Glory Muffins
Sweet potatoes are an indigenous American food, and Morning Glory muffins were first invented in California. This recipe combines both all-American aspects into one moist, flavorful muffin full of goodness like apple chunks, coconut, and nuts.
Inauguration Day Recipes for Dinner
It’s comfort food time. These satisfying Inauguration Day recipes for dinner mostly cook themselves. That way, you can watch all the action instead of stirring pots and pans.
U.S. Senate Bean Soup
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is a current U.S. senator. So cook up a pot of this patriotic, three-ingredient ham and bean soup that’s been on the U.S. Senate cafeteria menu every day for decades.
New England Fish Chowder
A creamy soup from America’s northeast. Authentic, flavorful, and loaded with thick chunks of fresh fish.
Grandmom-Style Eggplant Parmesan
Red tomato sauce and white, melty mozzarella cheese add patriotic colors. Eggplant parm is the ultimate vegetarian comfort food that takes old world to your world.
The Best, Juiciest Turkey Meatloaf
The one, the only. When I think of classic American suppers, I think meatloaf. This turkey version is moist and full of flavor.
Truly Great Vegetarian Chili
Make it in advance, top with heaps of cheese, sour cream, and scallions, and enjoy this heartiest of soups.
Herb-Roasted Pork Tenderloin
This dinner roasts easily in the oven and looks oh-so-special. Pair it with this homemade chunky applesauce.
What Inauguration Day foods and recipes will you make this year? Share below! And here’s one recipe to get you started.
Patriotic Red, White + Blueberry Pound Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or individually quick frozen (IQF)
- 1 1/2 cups raspberries, fresh or individually quick frozen (IQF)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease well a standard tube pan.
- With an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until very smooth and light. Scrape the bowl to make sure everything is emulsified.
- Stir in the baking powder, salt, and flour and mix on low until combined. Do not over-mix. Fold in the berries and stir until just mixed throughout.PRO TIP: If using frozen berries, do not thaw them. Add them to the cake batter right from the freezer. This will make the cake batter somewhat stiff, but that is fine. Do not over-mix or your batter will become purple!
- Bake in the center of the oven until a cake tester comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes, or slightly more. If using frozen berries, it will be closer to 1 hour 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool in the pan until the cake can be handled. Run an offset spatula or knife around the edges of the cake pan. Invert onto a dish, then right side up again onto a cooling rack. Cool fully.
- Decorate with a simple powdered sugar glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or some buttercream topped with freeze-dried or fresh berries.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is provided for courtesy purposes only, and is an estimate not verified by medical or nutrition experts. Read the full nutrition disclaimer.
6 comments
Lisa
Hi Lisa
would this work in a Bundt pan?
Also
can fresh strawberries
&
frozen blueberries be used?
Thanks!
Lisa
Unpeeled
Hi! Absolutely. The time may be a little different, though, so keep an eye on things. As for the berries, frozen blueberries are a perfect substitute. Just add them right from frozen into the batter. This will stiffen the batter a little and increase the cooking time slightly, but no big deal. As for strawberries, fresh strawberries have more moisture than blueberries and could be watery. I recommend quartering and macerating them in a little sugar first for about 30 minutes. Then drain the liquid (makes a great addition to lemonade!) and use the berries from there. Happy baking!
Joanne
One big thumbs up for the cowboy cookie blondies. These are absolutely delicious.
Maggie Wahler
I made the gingerbread cake over Christmas and it was moist and delicious.
J.Y.
Delicious cake. Can’t wait to try the pie next!
Meghan Underhill
Fantastic cake that tasted moist and sweet.