123 surprise recipes

Surprise your family at the next gathering with these scrumptious appetizers that are sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

Easy turkey soup with elbow macaroni, frozen mixed vegetables, and a surprising splash of orange juice concentrate. A fast weeknight soup ready in 35 minutes.

Pinto bean bread, a soft yeast loaf made with mashed pinto beans for extra protein, fiber, and a dense, tender crumb. Rustic and surprisingly good for sandwiches.

Surprise your loved one with this scrumptious chicken dish that will add a kick to anyone's tastebuds.

Jerry's Barbecue Sauce: a slow-simmered BBQ sauce with white wine, honey, dried mint, and three cups of onion. Cajun-style with a surprising herbal note. Makes a generous batch.

Pinto bean fudge blends strained beans with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and nuts for a surprisingly creamy candy. No one will guess the secret ingredient.

Easy cola beef pot roast braised in cola and chicken broth with onion, carrot, and peas. Surprising soda-tenderized beef with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce.

Traditional German Dampfnudeln: soft steamed yeast dumplings stuffed with prunes, drizzled with buttery poppy seed sauce. A cozy Bavarian dessert that's surprisingly simple to make.

This decadent snack made with milk chocolate and marshmallow cream is perfect for surprising relatives at the next Christmas dinner!

Fettuccine with red lentil sauce simmered with canned tomatoes, garlic, and a surprising pinch of cinnamon. A high-protein, plant-based pasta dinner ready in under an hour.

Spooky Halloween spider cake shaped from two round layers with black frosting, licorice legs, and gumball eyes. A fun green gelatin surprise hides inside the body.

Mrs Fields-style lemon chocolate chip buttons with lemon extract, ground coriander, and mini chocolate chips. Tiny, soft, pale cookies with a surprising citrus-spice twist.

This easy yet delicious ice-cream chocolate bottom pie will be a sweet surprise to your loved one at Valentine's Day.

Guacamole with serrano heat, white onion, and a surprise hit of pureed zucchini for body. Mexican-style avocado dip finished with tomato, green onion, and cilantro garnish.

Seared beef tenderloin with a three-citrus butter sauce made from lemon, lime, and orange juice reduced with red wine. Restaurant-level elegance, surprisingly simple.

No-cholesterol chocolate cake gets its tender crumb from a surprising swap: cholesterol-free mayonnaise stands in for eggs and butter. One bowl, no creaming, deep cocoa flavor with a moist tight crumb.