Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 springs fresh oregano, leaves removed and chopped
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon red chile pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves
• 1-1/2 ounces elderflower liqueur (St-Germain)
• 3 ounces Prosecco or sparkling wine
• 2 ounces soda water
• Lime slices

Ingredients

• 24 miniature marshmallows
• 24 small fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 large banana, cut into 24 slices
• 24 large green grapes
• 24 wooden skewers or long toothpicks

Ingredients

• COOKIE CRUMBLE:
• 1 cup gingersnap cookies
• 1 cup cream-filled vanilla sandwich cookies, cream removed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• CHEESECAKE FILLING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• Dash salt
• 2 tablespoons instant cheesecake or vanilla pudding mix
• 2 tablespoons cold whole milk
• WHIPPED TOPPING:
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ingredients

• SAUCE:
• 3 tablespoons ponzu soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• SPRING ROLLS:
• 1/3 pound sushi grade salmon, cut into 1/2-in. pieces
• 1/3 pound sushi grade ahi tuna, cut into 1/2-in. pieces
• 3/4 cup shelled edamame
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds, to taste
• 6 rice papers (8 inches)
• 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
• 1 to 2 medium ripe avocadoes, peeled and sliced
• 1/3 cup pickled carrot and daikon

Ingredients

• 5 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
• 3/4 cup brown rice syrup
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• ICING LAYER:
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked long grain rice, cooled
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• DRESSING:
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free reduced-sodium tamari soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons mirin (sweet rice wine) or honey
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• Fresh gingerroot, optional
• VEGGIES:
• 4 cups shredded red or green cabbage
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 2 cups chopped cucumber
• 1 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed
• Sliced green onion, sesame seeds, chili crisp or shichimi togarashi seasoning, to garnish

Ingredients

• VERDE SAUCE:
• 2 pounds tomatillos, husked
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
• 1/2 cup media crema table cream or sour cream
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ENCHILADAS:
• 2-1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
• 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 12 corn tortillas (6 inches)
• Diced avocado, sour cream and fresh cilantro, for topping

Ingredients

• 1 can (12-1/2 ounces) chunk white chicken, drained or 1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken
• 2 cups torn romaine, finely chopped
• 4 ounces cherry tomatoes, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons creamy Caesar salad dressing
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 4 ciabatta rolls, split and toasted
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 4 thin slices prosciutto, cut into 1-in. strips
• 1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-in. slices
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 8 slices honey wheat bread
• 8 slices pepper jack cheese
• 4 to 7 teaspoons pepper jelly
• 1 teaspoon everything seasoning blend, optional

Ingredients

• Guacamole
• Cotija cheese, crumbled
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Sliced American cheese
• Green olives with pimientos
• Pitted ripe olives
• Sweet red pepper
• Tortilla chips

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/3 cups sugar
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons tahini, divided
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa
• 4 ounces vanilla or chocolate halva

Your Fall Baking Bingo Card

Ready to get in on the fun? All the recipes on our fall baking bucket list can be found on this bingo card. Bake five things in a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) to get a Bingo!

Fall Baking Recipes

Of all the fall baking recipes out there, here are 25 on our bucket list this year:

• Apple dessert: Anyone who loves toting home a bakery bag full of warm apple cider doughnuts will love this Bundt cake version. Every bite of Apple Cider Doughnut Cake is filled with brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and there’s even a cinnamon-sugar coating that’s true to the apple orchard favorite.
• Pumpkin bread: The recipe on our baking bucket list every single year is the humble loaf of Pumpkin Spice Bread. Bake a batch in the morning and steal a slice all throughout the day. Our secret to the perfect loaf? Always use the best canned pumpkin.
• Fall pie: Good-quality bourbon adds a welcome twist to the classic sweet, gooey and nutty pecan pie. With notes of vanilla, caramel and fall spice, you’ll love how much more elevated our Bourbon Pecan Pie tastes, and all it requires is that one extra ingredient.
• Soft pretzels: Attending an Oktoberfest party? That’s the perfect excuse to whip up these Soft Giant Pretzels and check off a bingo slot in the process! Our recipe bakes a traditional batch of German pretzels, but we included ways to plus it up with garlic and Parmesan, everything bagel seasoning or a cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Maple syrup dessert: With real maple syrup, white chocolate chips and chopped pecans, Maple Cookies are a wonderful fall dessert for anyone who might be a little tired of apples or pumpkins by now.
• Cardamom-flavored bake: Save Swedish cardamom buns for a Saturday project and indulge on Sunday morning or at an afternoon Swedish fika.
• Salted caramel bars: An irresistible salted caramel and melted chocolate filling layer runs through the center of these tender Chocolate Salted Caramel Bars. Store-bought caramel candies make this recipe so easy, so there’s no tricky caramel-cooking or candy thermometers needed.
• Flavored focaccia: Anyone who’s a bit apprehensive about homemade bread should start with this simple, no-knead Squash Focaccia. The dough is basically foolproof, and thinly sliced squash and fresh sage leaves make this focaccia recipe undeniably fall-forward.
• Cranberry baked good: Cranberries are the ultimate palate cleanser, so I love serving these Cranberry Curd Bars after heavy fall meals. Plus, the bright pink hue adds such a cheerful pop of color!
• Small-batch bake: We scaled down a British favorite so there’s just enough for two. Sticky Toffee Pudding for 2 is perfect for a romantic date night in. The cinnamon and ginger-spiced date cake gets even more autumnal with a homemade toffee sauce poured on top, soaking into the spongy cake.
• Pumpkin snickerdoodles: We only had to add one ingredient (pumpkin!) to turn a classic batch of snickerdoodles into the perfect fall cookie. Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger pair beautifully with the pumpkin puree, making these Pumpkin Snickerdoodles taste like fall itself.
• Muffins: If you’re only saving cranberries for winter, these Cranberry Muffins will change your mind. Tart, juicy cranberries bake with sweet cinnamon, warm nutmeg, zippy ginger, bright orange zest and crunchy pecans for a full-flavored but perfectly balanced batch of muffins that taste just like fall.
• Bakeable challenge: In place of the free space is our monthly Bakeable challenge. Each month, members of our Bakeable community bake a special recipe with us and share their photos in the Bakeable Facebook group. Come bake along with us!
• Sourdough bread: If you’ve always been a bit intimidated by the sourdough-making process, let’s rip the band-aid. Our Sourdough French Bread walks you through the technique of making the perfect loaf of sourdough, from creating and feeding a foamy starter to kneading and shaping a boulangerie-worthy loaf.
• Coffee-flavored treat: There’s so much to love about these Cappuccino Muffins. Each one is filled with cozy cinnamon, chocolate chips and buzzy coffee, but they become unexpectedly delicious with a smear of coffee cream cheese spread.
• Dutch oven bread: Our no-knead Dutch Oven Bread just needs a simple score and a quick bake. It takes eight hours to rise, so start it in the morning so it’s ready for dinner.
• Chai spice bake: Chai’s blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger and cloves inherently lends itself to a plethora of fall recipes. We decided to mix it into a cinnamon roll’s brown sugar and cinnamon filling in these Chai Cinnamon Rolls. They’re similar to a dirty chai latte for a buzzy morning jolt.
• Coffee cake: If there was ever a way to welcome in a chilly autumn morning, it’s with this Apple Coffee Cake that’s heady with fall spices and chunks of tart apples. The secret ingredient (sour cream!) makes every bite exceptionally tender, and the brown sugar and spiced pecan topping adds a lot of nice crunch and warmth.
• No-bake dessert: Everyone’s talking about tiramisu lately, so we were inspired to create an elevated version of the classic. Earl Grey Tiramisu trades buzzy espresso for the namesake tea, imparting herbal and woodsy bergamot that’s unexpectedly fall.
• Biscuits: Warm, fresh Buttermilk Biscuits are hard to beat. With a flaky, buttery interior and slight outer crunch, they’re perfect as-is. During the fall season, though, I love using them as a raft for pumpkin or apple butter.
• Brown butter dessert: There’s so much to love about these unexpectedly autumnal Brown Butter Blondies with Speculoos Buttercream. From the softly spiced cookie butter frosting to the toasty browned butter blondies and the crunchy walnuts studded throughout, every bite has a perfect harmony of flavor.
• Olive oil cake: Apples get a lot of love during the fall season, but here, pears are the star. Our Pear Olive Oil Cake combines the fruit with warm cinnamon, good-quality olive oil and a bit of almond flour for a nutty flavor and toothsome bite.
• Something nutty: Baklava is a traditional dessert in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, where filling variations abound. Here, we follow the Greek version, filling the phyllo dough with walnuts, cinnamon and cloves and finishing the pastry with a sticky honey-citrus glaze.
• Morning buns: Have you ever wanted to learn how to make laminated dough from scratch? Morning Buns are the best project to perfect the skill. They’re filled with a cinnamon and orange zest filling and baked into buttery puffs of flaky pastry with a cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Apple bread: Pineapple upside-down cake inspired this autumnal bread version. Upside-Down Apple Bread steams and caramelizes sliced apples, concentrating their flavors and melding their tart taste with warm cinnamon and sweet brown sugar.

Bingo!

Did you bake five recipes in a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal)? Great job! Fill out the form below before October 31 to receive a complimentary Christmas Cookies eBook in November. Limited to the first 100 participants; one prize per person.

The post Your 2025 Fall Baking Bucket List appeared first on Taste of Home.

Today’s home cooks make the most of their slow cookers—and we want to hear those secrets!

If you have a slow-cooker dish people can’t get enough of, share the recipe, and you may walk away a winner! We want the slow-cooked app that everyone asks for. What about a new take on mains, like honey Sriracha chicken, saucy tortellini or Greek beef stew simmered to perfection in the slow cooker? Let us know! If you created a low-and-slow side or even a sweet treat, your recipe might earn you the $500 first prize.

Submit your recipe between September 1 and October 31, 2025.

What We’re Looking For

• New dinner mashups
• Healthy takes on classic comfort foods
• Trendy appetizers, sides or desserts people can’t get enough of

Get Inspired by Our Slow-Cooker Recipes

38 Easy Slow-Cooker Dessert Recipes

25 Slow-Cooker Side Dishes to Make Tonight

Our Favorite Slow-Cooker Stew Recipes

The Prizes

Three talented home cooks will have the chance to win:

• 1st prize: $500
• 2nd prize: $300
• 3rd prize: $150

How to Enter

Submit your recipe by filling out the form below between now and October 31, 2025.

Submit Your Recipe

The post Modern Slow Cooker Recipe Contest Announcement appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 1 pinch salt
• PARMESAN BREAD CRUMBS:
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• SOUP:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup sliced fennel bulb
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 3 cups chopped fresh kale
• 1 cup crumbled cooked bacon, divided
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
• 1 package (8 ounces) potato gnocchi
• 2-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, warmed
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Ingredients

• 1 package (12 ounces) dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 package (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 12 ounces (10 cups) Rice Chex cereal
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Ingredients

• HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons minced chives
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• CHICKEN DIP:
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1-1/2 cups homemade ranch dressing, divided
• 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• Toasted French bread baguette slices or tortilla chips

Great Clubs has some seriously enticing snack subscriptions, including options that rival our beloved Goldbelly box. But for casual beer fans, there’s no better box than the brand’s beer of the month club. Each box arrives with 12 beers from bespoke breweries across the nation. Subscribers can also upgrade their box to include a 24-pack for bigger crowds. Tester and Content Director Nicole Doster notes that the box contains a good amount of variety, ranging from a super light summer ale to a heavier, hoppier mountain ale.

Her box included three bottles of each of the following: Geary’s Brewery Original Pale Ale, Geary’s Brewery Maine’s Summer Ale, The Shed Brewery Co. Mountain Ale and The UFO Beer Company White Ale. It also came with a copy of the beer club’s monthly publication, “Beer Expeditions,” detailing information about all of the breweries featured within the box. It’s one of the better newsletters we’ve seen, complete with a charming article and prompt to mail in your beer ratings.

“The 12-pack was perfect for entertaining. I invited some friends over to help taste test. The group enjoyed the UFO White Ale the best as it tasted like a fancier Blue Moon—light with hints of orange peel. It was perfect for a summer afternoon,” she says. “I was definitely tickled by the old-school printed newsletter that came with the box. It was full of tasting notes, descriptions of the breweries and interesting facts about beer. It was really fun to read as we drank through the box. It even had a place to rate the beer on color, clarity, head, smell, taste and aftertaste, which helped us pick apart why we liked each beer.”

That said, the box arrived with two beers from the same brewery, so expect to see a few familiar brands here and there on your tasting journey. However, given that this is one of the better value boxes on the list, we don’t mind. In fact, that’s part of what makes this box so intriguing. It’s like taking a beer tour without leaving the couch!

Best Customizable

Beer Drop

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Those who prefer sticking to just a few brew types can still enjoy the beer club experience with Beer Drop. First, fill out a beer profile by choosing three types of beer from eight different categories, including options like Belgian beers, light beers, malty beers and popular picks. Then choose from six, eight or 10 beers in each shipment. The per-can price lowers with larger shipments, though the rather pricey $18 shipping fee remains the same.

“There were four 12-ounce cans (two sours and two wheats) and two 16-ounce cans (two porters),” says editor and tester Mary Henn, who tried the box. She chose sour, fruity and dark beers for her profile. “The Blackbeary Wheat from Long Trail is an American wheat ale with a hint of blackberry. It was light in color and very refreshing. It was my favorite and great for summertime.”

While she enjoyed the picks and didn’t identify any duds, she wishes the subscription included more surprising flavors by default. “There was an ad for a cookie porter that sounded great, but wasn’t included in my box. I was expecting more unique or fun flavors. I also would have loved to get six different beers instead of just three flavors—but I guess two of each is nice if you’re tasting with a partner,” she notes.

Beer Drop differs from other club options (like many cheese of the month clubs) in that it sends a preview of each box for your approval prior to shipping out. At that point, each subscriber gets the option to skip or swap out any beer in their box for a different flavor, which they can personally choose from the expansive Beer Drop catalog. However, keep in mind that swapping out flavors adds to the price of the box, which is already steep thanks to the higher shipping cost.

Best for Hop Lovers

Hop-Heads Beer Club

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Enjoy the bitter side of beer? You will go bananas for the Hop Heads beer club. It’s ideal for those who prefer a hearty IPA to lights or sours. Each monthly shipment delivers 12 hand-crafted, hoppy beers in three different flavors from U.S. craft microbreweries and international breweries. There’s also a newsletter that details additional information about each brew.

“This would be a great gift for someone who is just developing an interest in beer and/or brewing,” says tester Pamela Bondurant. “The newsletter gave a great description of the flavor profiles of each of the three beers, such as ‘floral tones and a light dash of piney herbaceousness.’ The packaging was secured really well using molded cardboard to hold both the base and the tops of the bottles and cans.”

The newsletter is a nice touch, and it gets pretty in-depth about each inclusion. It outlines the beer style, serving temps, alcohol by volume, International Bittering Units (IBUS), suggested glassware, strains of the malts used and the types of hops. Background information on the microbrewery is also given, along with taste descriptions and recommended pairings.

“The beers were somehow appealing the way they were placed in packaging, and I was eager to see the flavors,” says Pamela. “The canned beer lined in the middle of the bottles was a nice touch.” Overall, she gives it a thumbs up for those who appreciate a good, hoppy option. “I’m thinking it might appeal to young professionals who are trying to expand their palette and beer education. It also appeals to an older crowd because microbreweries exploded when that age bracket was in their 20s, and IPAs and hoppy beers were especially popular.”

Best for Gifting

Craft Beer Club

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For a giftable experience, turn to the Original Craft Beer Club. While one of the pricier beer of the month club options, the sheer variety in each box—along with the sleek, informative newsletter—make it a great pick for almost any brew head. Our box came with four beers from two different breweries, along with a duplicate can of each flavor for two-person taste testing.

“The box included 12 craft beers from two featured breweries, Texas Leaguer Brewing and Roughtail Brewing Co. of Oklahoma City. I liked that there was a lot of diversity in the beers that were featured in this delivery,” says Nicole, who tested the subscription. While Nicole opted for the 12-pack with four different flavors, there’s also the option to upgrade to a 24-pack.

“You have everything from a super-hoppy IPA to a sour to a rich and smooth bock. While some of the IPAs were a little hoppier than I’d prefer, I appreciated that I got to try a little bit of everything. I fell in love with the strawberry lemon sour, which was a big surprise!”

Unfortunately, this was also the only beer club of the month with an “explosive” surprise in store for us. Whether it was the Florida heat or a rocky shipping trip, two of the beers burst open prior to arrival. Because the packaging was about on par with the other beer clubs we tried, we chalked this up to a one-time issue—but it’s worth noting, especially for the rather high price point.

“The pamphlet included in this box felt more premium than the Great Clubs box but had less information and character. I felt like this was less of a ‘club’ and more of a gift,” says Nicole. “However, (sans beer explosion) I would not mind this as a gift!”

Best for Brewing Enthusiasts

City Brew Tours

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The City Brew Tours club really is a club, complete with its own monthly podcast for die-hard brewski fans. While the main arm of the business focuses on in-person tours, long-distance beer lovers can still enjoy tasting and learning about bespoke breweries across the nation with the monthly beer box. Each iteration of this beer of the month club introduces subscribers to eight different beers, each hailing from four breweries in a single city. It really feels like taking a boozy tour of a new city each month!

The City Brew Tours staff hand-curates each selection and includes a detailed printout containing information about the tasting notes and breweries chosen, plus a little about the featured city. Inclusions range from sours to IPAs and everything in between, so it’s an ideal subscription for those who appreciate beers of all kinds. While only one of each type of beer comes in the box, that means that you get to enjoy eight different beers, instead of only two or three flavors each month. It’s the ideal option for the solo taste tester.

While the beers are great, the club’s biggest appeal is the monthly, subscriber-only interactive Zoom call tasting featuring guest speakers, brewing experts and fellow beer enthusiasts. It’s a great way to connect with other brewers, gain insight and discuss flavors and new brew methods. Additionally, each subscription comes with a discount on City Brew Tours tickets in case you ever get the itch to join in person.

My box arrived filled to the brim with brews from Pittsburgh. The insert with an overview of the city, facts about Pittsburgh brewing and info about each beer was incredibly enlightening and a great introduction to what the city offers. My favorite was Brew Gentlemen’s Mexican coffee, which was a deep and java-rich experience. It was also cool to have access to the tasting notes and enjoy two brews from each brewery—not to mention all the one-on-one insight gleaned from the Zoom call.

best non-alcoholic

Athletic Brewing Co.

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For those who want a refreshing beer sans the alcohol, look no further than Athletic Brewing Co. For $29 a year, Athletic Club members receive everything from free shipping and discounted six-packs to exclusive, members-only brews and merchandise. Unlike their beer subscription, which ships your favorite non-alcoholic brews regularly, members can order whatever they want whenever they want it. The only catch? Members have to order a minimum of four six-packs per order. With member pricing at $10.99 per pack, that’s a $44 minimum. Luckily, shipping is free.

“Earlier this year, my husband decided to make the switch to non-alcoholic beer,” says tester and staff writer Marisa Hillman. “He loves the variety, affordability and, of course, the taste of the Athletic Brewing Co. beers he’s tried so far.” Marisa received a variety pack of best sellers along with two limited edition 6-packs. Her shipment arrived just in time for a large get-together at her home where her husband wasn’t the only one who had recently switched to non-alcoholic brews. “All of the beers were a hit with my husband and guests,” she says. “Everyone agreed you’d never know you were drinking a non-alcoholic brew. They’re that good.”

Athletic Brewing Co. offers an impressive variety. Those who have trouble deciding what to order can filter brews by style, season and flavor profile. And if you don’t like beer, Athletic Brewing Co. also offers hops infused sparkling waters that members can enjoy for just $8.99 per six-pack.

What To Look for When Choosing a Beer of the Month Club

While some may purchase a beer subscription for themselves to explore new flavors, others might consider snagging one as a gift for a beer lover in their life. When choosing a beer of the month club, it’s important to consider the recipient. Folks who enjoy a variety of flavors might do well with a club that offers many different brews in each box. On the other hand, those who are a bit pickier may prefer a box that focuses on one type (i.e., pilsners or IPAs) or comes with customization options.

According to Bart Watson, Vice President of Strategy and Chief Economist for the Brewers Association, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a beer club. That said, one big obstacle is shipping.

“What are you looking to learn more about or taste by region, style, or brewery? Pick something that’s going to make you excited every month,” he says. “One note is that many breweries will be limited in their ability to offer beer-of-the-month clubs directly to consumers based on DtC laws, which is why the Brewers Association is working at the Federal and State levels to make it easier for breweries to ship directly to customers, just like wineries can in the vast majority of states.”

If you’re hunting down a beer of the month club subscription as a gift, think about the presentation. Some beer clubs arrive with a wealth of information on the brewing process and featured breweries. Many others offer bonuses like monthly classes. Alternately, some beer subscriptions emphasize sourcing exotic options rather than focusing on gift-ready packaging and in-depth info. These are typically for folks who are simply interested in taste testing rather than the entire brewing process.

How We Found the Best Beer of the Month Clubs

To find the best beer of the month clubs, we began by recruiting a few beer-loving editors. We looked into as many beer of the month clubs as possible, focusing on finding those with the best reviews and recommendations. From there, we purchased five different subscriptions from the most popular services. Depending on the service, we tried each option for a total of one to three months.

During testing, we focused on the taste of each inclusion, the variety, customization options, any info or brochures and the packaging. We also made note of any special extras, including limited-edition inclusions or other fun finds. Throughout the process, we thought about who would best enjoy each subscription and whether it would make a good gift. In the end, we found the best beer of the month club for brew newbies, beer experts and everyone in between.

Why You Should Trust Us

As Taste of Home’s resident food and drink expert, I’ve tasted everything from the best snack boxes to cookie of the month clubs and beyond. I would never recommend something that feels like a waste of space in my own kitchen or tummy. My passion lies in testing everyday kitchen items, food and other finds so that no one has to experience potential disappointment after spending their hard-earned dollars on a subpar product.

Combined, our team has decades of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best flower delivery services to coffee clubs and baking boxes. While choosing inclusions for the best beer of the month clubs, we focused on finding subscriptions that offer delicious brews and a solid bang for our buck.

For this piece, I also spoke to Bart Watson, Vice President of Strategy and Chief Economist for the Brewers Association. Bart is a stats geek, beer lover, and Certified Cicerone. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, where in addition to his dissertation, he completed a comprehensive survey of Bay Area brewpubs one pint at a time.

The post Raise a Glass for the 6 Best Beer of the Month Clubs appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• Cheddar cheese
• Sliced green olives with pimientos
• Green grapes
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Sweet red pepper
• Fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
• Sliced pepperoni
• Summer sausage

Ingredients

• DIPS:
• 8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrispy, Gala), whole and sliced
• 2 cups caramel apple dip
• 1 cup cream cheese fruit dip
• TOPPINGS:
• 1 cup crushed mixed nuts
• 1 cup M&M's minis
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup sprinkles
• DIPPERS:
• 1 sleeve graham crackers
• 1/2 package pretzel rods
• Popcorn balls
• Wooden skewers, for dipping

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
• 1 jar (16 ounces) picante sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• Hot cooked rice, optional

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 medium bananas, sliced
• 2 tablespoons spiced rum
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• BREAD PUDDING:
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 loaf (17 ounces) brioche bread, cubed
• Whipped cream, for garnish

Ingredients

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 cup whole milk
• TOPPING:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Ingredients

• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup unsalted cashews, roughly chopped
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounces) prepared angel food cake, divided
• 2 cups cherry pie filling, divided
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream or whole milk
• 1 tub (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, optional

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 ounces Scotch
• 1 ounce amaretto
• Orange peel strip

Ingredients

• 115 grams bread flour or whole wheat flour
• 115 grams room temperature water

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 each large egg yolk, room temperature
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• ROLLING SUGAR:
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Week 1: Bread Dough Basics

Good bread starts with good bread dough. We’ll walk you through how to proof yeast, knead dough and proof dough. To step up your bread game, we’ll show you how to score bread to create picture-perfect loaves. Finally, we’ll teach you how to tell when bread is done so you know when to pull it out of the oven. You got this!

Week 2: Bread Pans

Bread comes in all shapes and sizes. Learn how to make bread in a loaf pan, a round pan, a Dutch oven and a cast-iron skillet. Even no pan at all! (Well, actually, you’ll make it free-form on a sheet pan.)

Week 3: Shaping Bread

Now that you’ve developed your bread dough skills, it’s time to have fun shaping it into different forms. From braids to knots to pumpkins (cute!), these are our favorite ways to shape bread dough.

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