Every April Fool’s, there are always a bunch of recipes meant to trick people into thinking what looks like dessert is really an entree. Take, for instance, a thick slab of meatloaf, topped with mashed potatoes meant to look like a brownie with whipped cream. Or the hamburger that’s really a cake. Funny stuff! That was the first thing I thought when I saw this clever recipe. It’s totally practical and quite impressive as a way to serve three side dishes together. But it’s also a hoot because it looks like a cake, with frosting and a pretty glaze. Involve the kids in making this dish. They’ll have fun freaking out Aunt Mary!

FoodNetwork.com has some great Thanksgiving recipes and tips. Check out the recipe below for Stuffing in a Bundt Pan! Watch the video for a hunger-inducing tutorial.

Prep Time:45 min               Cook Time:30 min

Level: Easy                           Serves: 8 to 12 servings

Ingredients
Stuffing:
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups minced yellow onion
1 cup minced carrots
1 cup minced celery
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 1/2 pounds loose sausage
Three 6-ounce boxes stove top stuffing
Chicken stock, as needed per stuffing directions
Cooking spray
3 eggs, lightly beaten with salt and pepper

Creamy Mashed Potatoes:
4 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
Kosher salt
3 cups heavy cream, heated
Freshly ground pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons butter

Cranberry Sauce:
One 8-ounce frozen package cranberries, thawed
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 orange, zested and juiced
Kosher salt
Fried onions, for garnish
Chopped chives, for garnish
Prepared gravy, for serving

Directions
For the stuffing: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add the butter to a large saute pan and allow to melt over medium heat. Once melted, add the onions, carrots and celery. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Allow the vegetables to saute until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sausage, sprinkle again with salt and pepper and break up the sausage with a wooden spoon while it browns, 7 to 10 minutes. Once the sausage is cooked through, turn off the heat.

While the sausage is cooking, prepare the stove top stuffing according to package directions. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Spray a bundt pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Add the stuffing to a large bowl. Add the sauteed veg and the lightly beaten eggs to the stuffing and toss to combine. Evenly pour the stuffing into the prepared pan and press down.

Bake until browned on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool briefly.

For the creamy mashed potatoes: Add the potatoes to a pot and cover with water. Season with salt and turn the heat to high. Once the potatoes come to a boil, cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and pass the potatoes through a potato ricer into a bowl. Stir in some of the heated cream until the consistency is thick, creamy and pourable, adding cream as needed. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the butter.

For the cranberry sauce: Add the cranberries, sugar, orange zest and orange juice to a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries have burst and the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Season with salt, remove from the heat, strain and set aside.

To serve: Loosen the stuffing from the sides of the pan with a butter knife. Top the pan with a cake stand and flip to invert. Remove the pan. Garnish with the creamy mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, fried onions and chives. Slice, plate and drizzle with gravy.

For more Thanksgiving recipes and tips, visit FoodNetwork.com!

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