Presidents’ Day Recipes and Favorite Presidential Foods

Presidential perfection.

Presidents’ Day may not be a traditional food holiday. But it’s still a great opportunity to make something with a little patriotic, all-American flair. Enjoy these patriotic Presidents’ Day recipes. 

What to Cook for Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ Day may not be known as a “food” holiday, but these recipes all get our vote of confidence. From George Washington’s mother’s gingerbread to J.F.K’s favorite waffles, here are 11 patriotic Presidents’ Day recipes and foods worth celebrating, each one tested and trustworthy.

Presidents’ Day Recipes for Dessert

Red, white, and blueberry pound cake, anyone? These dessert recipes — some with historic and patriotic flair — will keep Presidents’ Day sweet, no matter what. Let’s start as nature intended: with dessert first.

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 have had a thorny 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

Winter is a perfect time to bake apples. This is the perfect excuse to bake the most iconic American dessert out there.

Mixed Berry 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.

Great Presidents’ Day Breakfasts

Make sure you get a good start to the day with these hearty, nourishing breakfasts. These Presidents’ 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

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.

Presidents’ Day Recipes for Dinner

It’s comfort food time. These satisfying Presidents’ Day recipes and foods for dinner mostly cook themselves. That way, you can watch all the action instead of stirring pots and pans.

Philadelphia Cheesesteaks

Philadelphia is the birthplace of our nation, of course. How better to honor the Founding Fathers than with a sandwich that defines the city where it all began — and George Washington’s Presidential seat.

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.

U.S. Senate Bean Soup

Both the current president and vice president are former senators. So cook up a pot of this three-ingredient ham and bean soup that’s been on the U.S. Senate cafeteria menu every day for decades.

What Presidents’ Day recipes and foods will you make this year? Here’s one recipe to get you started.