Reese Witherspoon Recipes: 13 Southern Holiday Classics Inspired by Her Book Whiskey in a Teacup, From Caramel Cake to Tomato Pie

These Reese Witherspoon recipes bring the warm, generous spirit of a Southern holiday table straight to your kitchen. The actress was born in New Orleans, grew up in Nashville, and in 2018 shared her love of hosting in her first book, Whiskey in a Teacup, a lifestyle book shaped by her Southern upbringing. We gathered 13 Reese Witherspoon recipes in that same spirit, the kind that fill a buffet at Thanksgiving, Christmas and every family gathering in between. You will find a glossy caramel cake, pimento cheese, tomato pie, flaky cheddar biscuits, shrimp and grits, pecan pralines, sweet tea and more. None of these are copied from the book; they are simply the dishes that make a Southern table feel like home. Pull up a chair and start planning your menu..

Southern Caramel Cake, the Showstopper of Reese Witherspoon Recipes

Every Southern holiday table needs one dessert that makes people gasp, and caramel cake is it. Reese Witherspoon, a New Orleans native who grew up in Nashville, has long celebrated this kind of from-scratch hospitality. Tender yellow layers are wrapped in a cooked brown sugar icing that sets into a soft, fudgy shell. It takes patience, but the first slice is worth every minute. For more layer cakes in the same spirit, browse our classic Southern cakes collection..

You will need: 3 cups cake flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, softened, 4 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla. Icing: 1 cup butter, 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch pans. 2. Cream the butter and sugar, beat in the eggs, then add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk and vanilla. 3. Bake 28 to 32 minutes and cool completely. 4. For the icing, boil the butter, brown sugar and milk for 2 minutes, then beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla. 5. Spread quickly between the layers and over the cake while the icing is still warm.

Pimento Cheese Party Spread

Pimento cheese is the unofficial welcome mat of the South, and no list of Reese Witherspoon recipes would feel right without it. Sharp cheddar, a little mayonnaise and sweet red pimentos come together in five minutes, yet guests will hover over the bowl all night. Serve it with crackers and celery, spread it into crustless tea sandwiches, or tuck it into warm biscuits the morning after. Grate the cheese yourself for the best texture, because bagged shreds are coated and never get quite as creamy. Make it a day ahead so the flavors have time to settle in.

You will need: 8 oz sharp cheddar, freshly grated, 4 oz white cheddar, grated, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 jar (4 oz) diced pimentos, drained, 2 oz cream cheese, softened, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne, black pepper, crackers and celery for serving.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. 2. Stir in both cheeses, the pimentos, garlic powder and cayenne. 3. Season with pepper and a pinch of salt if needed. 4. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. 5. Serve with crackers and vegetables or spread on soft white bread for tea sandwiches.

Classic Deviled Eggs for the Holiday Buffet

No Southern gathering is complete until someone carries in a tray of deviled eggs, a must among Reese Witherspoon recipes for entertaining. They are cheap, easy and always the first thing to disappear from the buffet. The secret to a silky filling is pressing the yolks through a sieve before mixing them with mayonnaise, a little mustard and a splash of pickle juice. Pipe the filling for a pretty look, then finish with a dusting of paprika. Boil the eggs a day ahead and fill them a few hours before guests arrive.

You will need: 12 large eggs, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish or pickle juice, 1/4 tsp salt, pinch of black pepper, smoked paprika, fresh chives (optional).

How to make it: 1. Place the eggs in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. 2. Turn off the heat, cover and let stand 12 minutes, then move to ice water. 3. Peel, halve and pop out the yolks. 4. Mash the yolks with the mayonnaise, mustard, relish, salt and pepper until smooth. 5. Pipe or spoon into the whites, dust with paprika and chill until serving.

Southern Tomato Pie, a Brunch Star of Reese Witherspoon Recipes

Tomato pie is pure Southern comfort, and it deserves a spot on your holiday brunch table. Sliced tomatoes are salted and drained so the crust stays crisp, then layered with fresh basil under a rich blanket of cheddar, mozzarella and mayonnaise. It bakes into a golden, bubbling top that slices beautifully once it rests. In the colder months, use firm Roma tomatoes or good grape tomatoes, which hold more flavor than winter slicers. Serve it warm or at room temperature with a green salad.

You will need: 1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust, 4 large or 6 Roma tomatoes, sliced, 1 tsp salt, 1/3 cup chopped basil, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 3/4 cup mayonnaise, black pepper.

How to make it: 1. Blind bake the crust at 400°F for 12 minutes. 2. Salt the tomato slices and let them drain on paper towels for 20 minutes, then pat dry. 3. Layer the tomatoes, basil and green onions in the crust. 4. Mix the cheeses, mayonnaise and pepper and spread over the top. 5. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits With Honey Butter

Hot biscuits are the heartbeat of Reese Witherspoon recipes and every Southern holiday menu. These cheddar drop biscuits skip the rolling pin entirely, so you can have a basket on the table in 25 minutes. Cold butter and cold buttermilk are the keys to tall, craggy tops and tender insides. Brush them with honey butter as soon as they come out of the oven and watch them vanish. Leftovers make wonderful sandwiches with holiday ham or a spoonful of pimento cheese.

You will need: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp sugar, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup cold buttermilk. Honey butter: 3 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp honey.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 450°F. 2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, then cut in the butter until it looks like coarse crumbs. 3. Stir in the cheese and buttermilk just until combined. 4. Drop 10 to 12 mounds onto a lined sheet pan. 5. Bake 12 to 14 minutes and brush with the honey butter while hot.

New Orleans Shrimp and Grits for Holiday Brunch

Shrimp and grits turns a sleepy holiday morning into a celebration, and few Reese Witherspoon recipes fit a New Orleans-born host so perfectly. Creamy stone-ground grits are cooked low and slow with butter and cheese, then topped with garlicky shrimp in a smoky pan sauce. The whole dish comes together in about 40 minutes, and most of that time the grits simply bubble on the back burner. Cook the grits ahead and loosen them with warm milk before serving. Add a pot of coffee and the family will linger for hours.

You will need: 1 cup stone-ground grits, 4 cups water or broth, 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp butter, 1 cup shredded white cheddar, 1 lb large shrimp, peeled, 4 slices bacon, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp lemon juice, green onions.

How to make it: 1. Simmer the grits in the water and milk, stirring often, for 30 to 40 minutes until creamy, then stir in the butter and cheese. 2. Crisp the bacon in a skillet and remove. 3. Season the shrimp with Cajun spice and cook in the drippings 2 minutes per side. 4. Add the garlic, broth and lemon juice and simmer 1 minute. 5. Spoon the shrimp and sauce over the grits and top with bacon and green onions.

Creamy New Orleans Pecan Pralines

Pralines are the sweet souvenir everyone brings home from New Orleans, and as Reese Witherspoon recipes go, they make a wonderful homemade holiday gift. Brown sugar, cream and butter are cooked to the soft-ball stage, then stirred with toasted pecans until the mixture turns creamy and just starts to thicken. Work quickly and drop spoonfuls onto parchment, where they set into fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth rounds. A candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of it. Pack them in tins with wax paper between the layers for neighbors and teachers.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup milk, 6 tbsp butter, 1 1/2 cups toasted pecan halves, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Line two sheet pans with parchment. 2. Combine the sugars, cream, milk and butter in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. 3. Cook, stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 238°F. 4. Remove from the heat, stir in the pecans, vanilla and salt, and beat 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thick and creamy. 5. Quickly drop by tablespoons onto the parchment and let set 30 minutes.

Southern Sweet Tea Punch for a Crowd

In the South, sweet tea is less a drink than a way of saying welcome, so it rounds out these Reese Witherspoon recipes nicely. For a holiday crowd, stretch a big batch into a sparkling punch with lemonade, a splash of peach nectar and chilled ginger ale added at the last minute. It is alcohol-free, kid-friendly and easy to refill from a large glass dispenser. A pinch of baking soda in the steeping tea keeps it smooth and never bitter, a trick many Southern grandmothers swear by. Freeze some tea in ice cube trays so the punch never gets watery.

You will need: 8 black tea bags, 8 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1/8 tsp baking soda, 2 cups lemonade, 1 cup peach nectar, 1 liter ginger ale, chilled, lemon slices, fresh mint, ice.

How to make it: 1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from the heat and add the tea bags and baking soda. 2. Steep 10 minutes, remove the bags and stir in the sugar until dissolved. 3. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and chill. 4. Just before serving, combine the tea, lemonade and peach nectar in a dispenser. 5. Top with the ginger ale, lemon slices, mint and ice.

Grandma’s Yellow Squash Casserole From Our Reese Witherspoon Recipes

Squash casserole is the side dish that quietly steals the show at Southern holiday dinners. Tender yellow squash and onion are folded into a creamy mix of eggs, sour cream and sharp cheddar, then covered with a buttery cracker crumb topping. It is rich, comforting and a sneaky way to get vegetables onto every plate. Assemble it the day before and bake it while the turkey or ham rests. Even the pickiest eaters usually come back for a second scoop.

You will need: 2 lb yellow squash, sliced, 1 onion, chopped, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 sleeve butter crackers, crushed, 4 tbsp butter, melted.

How to make it: 1. Simmer the squash and onion in salted water for 8 to 10 minutes, then drain very well and mash lightly. 2. Whisk the eggs, sour cream and mayonnaise and stir in the squash, cheese, salt and pepper. 3. Spread in a greased 2-quart baking dish. 4. Toss the crushed crackers with the butter and scatter over the top. 5. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and set.

Spicy Southern Cheese Straws

Cheese straws are the little nibble every Southern hostess keeps in a tin for drop-in guests, and they are the easiest Reese Witherspoon recipes to gift. Extra-sharp cheddar, butter, flour and a kick of cayenne are piped or cut into long strips and baked until crisp and golden. They taste like the best cheese cracker you have ever had, only flakier. Bake a double batch, because they keep for a week in an airtight container and make a thoughtful gift in a pretty jar. Serve them with sweet tea punch or a cheese board.

You will need: 8 oz extra-sharp cheddar, finely grated, 1/2 cup butter, softened, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, 1 to 2 tbsp cold water.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cheese and butter until creamy. 2. Mix in the flour, salt, cayenne and paprika, adding water just until a dough forms. 3. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut into long thin strips, or pipe with a star tip. 4. Arrange on a lined sheet pan and chill 15 minutes. 5. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and cool on the pan.

Brown Sugar Pecan Pie Among the Best Reese Witherspoon Recipes

A Southern holiday without pecan pie is hard to imagine, so this classic belongs on any list of Reese Witherspoon recipes for the season. Toasting the pecans first deepens their flavor, and a mix of brown sugar and corn syrup gives the filling a rich caramel taste. Bake it until the center has only a slight wobble, then let it cool completely so it slices cleanly. Make it up to two days ahead to free up the oven. Serve each slice with a cloud of whipped cream.

You will need: 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust, 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 4 tbsp butter, melted, 2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350°F and fit the crust into a pie plate. 2. Whisk the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and salt until smooth. 3. Scatter the pecans in the crust and pour the filling over them. 4. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until the edges are set and the center barely jiggles, covering the crust if it browns too fast. 5. Cool at least 3 hours before slicing.

Easy Berry Cobbler With Frozen Fruit

Cobbler is the dessert Southern cooks turn to when they need something sweet and fast, which makes it one of the most practical Reese Witherspoon recipes here. Frozen berries or peaches work perfectly here, so you can make it any time of year without waiting for summer fruit. The fruit bakes into a bubbling, jammy layer under a buttery, golden biscuit topping that is crisp on top and soft underneath. There is no need to thaw the fruit first, which makes it a true pantry rescue. Spoon it warm into bowls with vanilla ice cream.

You will need: 6 cups frozen mixed berries or sliced peaches, 3/4 cup sugar, divided, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 6 tbsp cold butter, 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp coarse sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375°F. 2. Toss the frozen fruit with 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch and lemon juice in a 9×13 dish. 3. Whisk the flour, remaining sugar, baking powder and salt, cut in the butter and stir in the buttermilk. 4. Drop spoonfuls of dough over the fruit and sprinkle with coarse sugar. 5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden and the fruit bubbles.

Hoppin’ John for Good Luck on New Year’s Day

The holiday season in the South ends with a bowl of Hoppin’ John, eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck, the perfect finale for these Reese Witherspoon recipes. Black-eyed peas simmer with smoked ham hock or bacon, onion and a little spice until tender, then are spooned over fluffy white rice. Tradition says the peas stand for coins, and many families serve them with collard greens for extra fortune. It is hearty, inexpensive and a smart way to use a leftover holiday ham bone. Make a big pot and share it with friends.

You will need: 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, 1 smoked ham hock or 6 slices bacon, 1 onion, diced, 1 green bell pepper, diced, 2 celery ribs, diced, 3 cloves garlic, 6 cups chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, salt, 3 cups cooked white rice, green onions.

How to make it: 1. Brown the bacon or render the ham hock in a large pot, then add the onion, pepper, celery and garlic and cook 5 minutes. 2. Add the drained peas, broth, bay leaf and pepper flakes. 3. Simmer 45 to 60 minutes until the peas are tender. 4. Remove the bay leaf, shred any ham into the pot and season with salt. 5. Serve over the rice with green onions.