Ree Drummond's Mother-in-Law Left Behind the Most Delicious Family Recipes
They're so full of love.
There's hardly a recipe in Ree Drummond's collection that doesn't carry a story, but the ones connected to her mother-in-law, Nan, hold something extra. Nan was, as Ree has said, "such a rock for all of us"—a quiet and steady presence whose love for family showed up in everything she did, especially her cooking. "She was always there, ever-present, over the course of my life with Ladd," Ree shared after her mother-in-law passed away, remembering how her kids spent as much time in Nan's kitchen as their own.
Nan's recipes are woven into the fabric of the Drummond family: holiday desserts, hearty sandwiches, and simple dishes that linger in memory long after the plates are cleared. She taught by doing; she was never flashy and never fussy, just faithful to the joy of feeding people she loved. "My mother-in-law, my husband's mom, my children's grandmother, my friend," Ree says. "She truly was magnificent."
This collection celebrates Nan's legacy through the food she shared and inspired: the cakes, salads, and comfort dishes that brought everyone to the table. They're family recipes in the truest sense—full of warmth, grace, and the kind of love that never really leaves a kitchen once it's been there.
Chocolate Sheet Cake
Ree got this recipe from her mother-in-law when she first got engaged to Ladd and she's been making it ever since. The icing is poured right over the warm cake, creating a fudgy layer that seeps into every bite. It's moist beyond imagination, chocolatey and rich like no tomorrow, and has been known to cause actual moans at the table!
Get Ree's Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe.
Thanksgiving Dressing
Ree says Nan's dressing is what "made everything clear and beautiful" in the world. It's light, crumbly, and never soggy, with big golden pieces of baked bread running through every bite. The top turns just crisp enough to make it feel like a celebration all on its own.
Get Ree's Thanksgiving Dressing recipe.
Christmas Rum Cake
This was Nan's signature Christmas dessert. She made it every single year and now, Ree still keeps the tradition alive. The buttery rum glaze soaks into the tender cake until it's sweet, sticky, and perfectly festive. If you ever needed proof that dessert can taste like a memory, this is it.
Get Ree's Christmas Rum Cake recipe.
Grilled Ribeye Sandwich Spread
This is Nan's recipe through and through—though what you call it depends on where you stand in the Drummond family. Nan used to say "Roast Spread," her own mother called it "Sandwich Spread," and Ree stuck with that. Think of it like tuna salad or chicken salad, but with chopped beef, mayo, and all the fixings. Piled onto soft bread, it's the best kind of ranch lunch.
Get Ree's Grilled Ribeye Sandwich Spread recipe.
Chocolate Almond Sheet Cake
This one started as a happy little accident. Ree misread her mother-in-law's original chocolate sheet cake recipe and added way too much butter and chocolate—which, as it turns out, was the best mistake ever. Now she makes all kinds of variations on that same base, each one as rich and irresistible as the last. This version with almonds is a family favorite!
Get Ree's Chocolate Almond Sheet Cake recipe.
Layered Salad
Nan made this classic salad all the time, and Ree still swears by it for potlucks and luncheons. Crisp lettuce, colorful veggies, and a creamy dressing stacked high in a glass bowl—it's a staple from Nan's neck of the woods and always a crowd pleaser. You can switch up the layers based on whatever's in your fridge.
Get Ree's Layered Salad recipe.
Cornbread Dressing with Dried Fruits and Nuts
Ree calls this one of her very favorite food memories of Nan. The two of them created it together, giving classic cornbread dressing a new twist with bits of chewy dried fruit and a little crunch from the nuts. It's warm, bready, and full of sweet surprises in every bite.
Get Ree's Cornbread Dressing with Dried Fruits and Nuts recipe.
Bread Pudding
Ree will be the first to tell you she never liked bread pudding—until Nan brought this version over for the Super Bowl. One bite changed everything. Made with sturdy sourdough cubes and a drizzle of whiskey cream sauce, it's crisp around the edges, soft in the middle, and nothing like those cafeteria versions of old. It's the dessert that made Ree see the light.
Get Ree's Bread Pudding recipe.
Burgundy Mushrooms
When Ree talks about recipes she "couldn't bear to live without," these mushrooms are at the top of the list. Her mother-in-law first made them for a holiday dinner years ago and the scent alone nearly knocked Ree out cold. They simmer for hours in red wine and butter until they're so rich and decadent you might just faint, too.
Get Ree's Burgundy Mushrooms recipe.
Blackberries with Sweet Cream
Ree and Nan first shared this dessert at a Ruth's Chris Steak House in Denver shortly before Ree and Ladd were married. They both agreed it was probably the most delicious fruit dessert they'd ever had. Ree even called the chef to ask how it was made! Fresh berries and silky sweet cream make it simple, elegant, and full of happy memories.
Get Ree's Blackberries with Sweet Cream recipe.
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