Here’s What to Make on Every Food Holiday in September

Bourbon Bacon Jam

This bourbon bacon jam showcases an irresistible blend of smoky, sweet and rich flavors. It’s a versatile condiment you can savor with breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Cheese Grits

Grits make a pleasingly neutral side dish, but these cheese grits bring a little more to the table. The cheese gives them flavor and richness enough to complement most entrees.

September 3: National Welsh Rarebit Day

Welsh rarebit is comfort food—it’s cheesy sauce on toast! This Welsh rarebit from The Cat’s Whisk is made more colorful and special with the addition of kale, plus dry mustard, cheddar cheese and a bit of Worcestershire flavor for the sauce.

Get the Welsh Rarebit with Kale Recipe

Macadamia Nut Mini Loaves

While these loaves may be small, they have a big rich flavor. The macadamia nuts make them a special treat with tropical flair. Plus, they're so pretty with the toasted coconut topping. —Kim Gilliland, Simi Valley, California

September 5: National Cheese Pizza Day

Yes, this mac and cheese pizza is exactly what it sounds like! Cheese and carb lovers, unite: Your dream dinner is served.

September 6: National Coffee Ice Cream Day

It’s easy to stir mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and crushed sandwich cookies into coffee ice cream to create this irresistible frozen dessert. —Cherron Nagel, Columbus, Ohio

Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

September 8: National Rice Month

My grandmother often made this casserole when I was young. I forgot about it until one day I found myself adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California

Steak au Poivre for 2

With the punch of peppercorns and a smooth beefy sauce, this steak is delicious. You'll love the hint of sweetness the bittersweet chocolate adds to the savory meat. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

September 10: National TV Dinner Day

This hearty main dish is a favorite at our house. It really warms you up. —Kim Kidd, New Freedom, Pennsylvania

Traditional Hot Cross Buns

On Easter morning, our family always looked forward to a breakfast of dyed hard-boiled eggs and Mom's hot cross buns. I still serve these for special brunches or buffets. —Barbara Jean Lull, Fullerton, California

September 12: National Chocolate Milkshake Day

These chocolate peanut butter shakes will make you feel as if you're sitting in a 1950s soda fountain. Add an over-the-top garnish like skewered doughnut holes or chocolate-dipped cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chewy Salted Peanut Bars

My rich bars are studded with the all-American peanut. I like to think famed peanut farmer Jimmy Carter would approve. —Ann Marie Heinz, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

September 14: Eat a Hoagie Day

All my boys (big and small) like sandwiches, and balsamic beef is a welcome change from pulled barbecue chicken. We use leftovers in quesadillas, on pizza or with rice. You can find more family-friendly recipes at my blog, theseasonedmom.com. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

Linguine with Fried Eggs and Garlic

This recipe is perfect for those nights when you want something quick, savory and healthy for your family. Even when the cupboard is bare, there are usually a couple of eggs and some cloves of garlic to work with. —E. Gelesky, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

Homemade Guacamole

I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Apple Dumpling Bake

I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

Cheeseburger Soup

Find out why this easy cheeseburger soup recipe is one of the top-rated recipes on our site!

September 19: National Butterscotch Pudding Day

One day when I had a craving for something homemade, I tried from-scratch pudding. It’s much better than the store-bought kind! —EMR, tasteofhome.com

September 20: National Rum Punch Day

This delicious drink is a fabulous way to use fresh mint and celebrate summer. If the pineapple isn't overly ripe, add a bit more sugar. Save any leftover pineapple-mint syrup in an airtight glass container, or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to use later. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Scandinavian Pecan Cookies

We enjoyed these rich, buttery cookies at a bed-and-breakfast in Galena, Illinois, and the hostess was kind enough to share her simple recipe. The pretty nut-topped treats are so special you could give a home-baked batch as a gift. —Laurie Knoke DeKalb, Illinois

White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies

Friends sometimes ask me to make these for wedding receptions. For a fancier presentation, I cut the bars into triangle shapes and drizzle white chocolate over each one individually. —Erika Busz, Kent, Washington

Cherry Bounce

Smooth and with the fragrant flavor of sweet cherries, this homemade cherry bounce recipe makes a wonderful holiday gift. For an additional treat, the drained cherries are delicious over vanilla ice cream. —Matt Warren, Mequon, Wisconsin

September 25: National Lobster Day

I had never tried grilling lobster tails at home until I tried this convenient and deliciously different recipe. It turned out amazing, and has left me with little reason to ever order grilled lobster tail at a restaurant again. Here's how to cook lobster tails on the grill. —Katie Rush, Kansas City, Missouri

Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie

Summer is peak season for Key limes—a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top. This makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina

September 27: National Corned Beef Hash Day

I created my hash to taste like a dish from a northern Arizona restaurant we always loved. We round it out with eggs and toast made from homemade bread. —Denise Chelpka, Phoenix, Arizona

September 28: National Strawberry Cream Pie Day

A rich layer of sweetened cream cheese under a glazed strawberry topping makes this strawberry cream cheese pie a standout on any dessert table.

Frothy Cafe Bombon

I discovered this layered java beverage during my honeymoon in Spain. —Keri Hesemann, St. Charles, Missouri

Mulled Cider

This is a classic warmer-upper that you can serve on chilly winter days. Pass the brandy separately for those who want it.