Technically this is a (*insert hand quotes)  dairy free  buttermilk spice cake with orange and cinnamon infused cream cheese icing. Frosting. Same difference. Regardless, I couldn't fit that all in, but this cake is magic so do not fear.

 Season's Eatings! Greetings! Same thing. When the holiday vibes hit, that is when you know it is time to whip out the ole cake pans and butter churners to impress your family, friends and random acquaintances with your homemade goodies. But let's be real. It is 2016. No one has butter churners (this is a blanket statement, I understand, but you just let me know if  you know someone with a butter churner).

Anywho, I was home for Thanksgiving and had a hankering to make a layered cake from scratch. My brother has a dairy allergy, so the struggle is finding ways to substitute ingredients like cream cheese, buttermilk and sour cream without losing the inherent flavor and texture that they bring. No fear! Nowadays, it is extremely easy to find alternative products that work perfectly. This is a buttermilk spice cake with cream cheese icing, and you may be thinking what on earth is she thinking, that  is anaphylaxis waiting to happen!  However, I took it on, and it was a nice little challenge. Regardless, I learned how to make dairy-free  buttermilk and cream cheese icing. LOVE IT ALL. And let me tell you, it was a hit. 

Happy Thanksgiving! All I can say is that I am absolutely stuffed but am somewhat looking forward to all the leftover goodies that currently reside in our fridge. Here are some quick stats:

• One 18 pound bird
• Five side dishes
• Five pies (three pumpkin, one apple, one rhubarb-cherry) + pecan bars
• Nine hungry stomachs
• Five dogs
• Four homemade garlands
• A whole lot of butter

I'm not totally positive on how we acquired six desserts, but regardless, we are left with three now - we sent the rest home with grandpa. Let me tell you, this was the Thanksgiving to be at this year...not that anyone else was invited, but it was HAPPENING.  I would rate this one a 10/10. Anyway, I whipped out my camera and snapped some beauteous photos of our Thanksgiving lineup, which I have graciously provided for you here. 

I must say, I was pretty proud of my contributions to this day of glory and food. This week, I made a magnolia leaf garland for one of the windows (using leaves from a tree that we don't actually have in our yard), three pumpkin pie garlands (they were super easy), homemade dairy-free dinner rolls (nom) and the most beautiful apple pie the world has ever seen. Most of these can be seen below in the gallery, but I will be posting a few recipes from this soon. It will all be worth your while! So just keep on scoping Tiny Crumbs for some new updates, recipes and food blog excitement.

For now, enjoy the photos of my mother's cumulonimbus cloud of mashed potatoes and the rest of our Thanksgiving feast. Shout out to the fam for making this day so wonderful #thankful.