If Saturdays are for the boys, then Saturday nights are for the girls. Well, at least this Saturday night is! Oh yes, tomorrow evening this Mama is swapping her stretchy pants and sweatshirt for…fancy stretch pants and a somewhat fancy sweatshirt and going out on the town. Aka having two cocktails then crawling into bed at 10:30pm. Still!
If you’re a woman in your 30s you can probably relate to the fact that it feels next to impossible to get two or more of your gal pals together in one spot at the same time. The last time I got together with the group of ladies I’m heading out with this weekend, it took us two months to plan a brunch then everyone backed out at the last minute and we had to re-plan for another month away. Why women have such a hard time making and sticking to plans, while Ben grabs drinks or late night bites with friends all the time, I’ll never know. I think we wait for the perfect conditions and feel the need to plan ahead instead of simply calling each other and saying, ‘let’s go out’!
That being said, sometimes it’s easier when your friends come to you. While I’m heading out Saturday evening, at this stage of my life most girl’s nights are spent in my or someone else’s home, gathered around a kitchen island in our sweats and messy ponytails. What can I say, sometimes good company, a few bottles of wine, and some tasty nibbles with your kids tucked in upstairs is a lot more fun then stuffing yourself into fancy clothes, straightening your hair, and agonizing over overpriced cocktails and getting glutened at some restaurant or bar.
That’s where today’s post comes in. Ladies, call your gal pals – you’ve got 15 girl’s night recipes to catch up over!
I don’t want to generalize that all women love festive drinks, delicious dips, and chocolatey desserts, but if your friends do then you’ve come to the right place. All the recipes I’m sharing below can be prepped or made ahead of time and are perfect for sipping and nibbling on during a night of great conversation.
While I’m excited to hit the town tomorrow, I can’t say I’m not looking forward to the next time I have everyone over to enjoy this amazing spread for girl’s night!
15 Girl’s Night Recipes:
Sparkling Hard Apple Cider Sangria
If you’re like me and love sangria but don’t keep liqueurs or mixers on hand, my lazy-girl’s Sparkling Hard Apple Cider Sangria is for you. Spoiler alert: it’s just wine, hard apple cider, and sliced fruit. ‘Tis the season, y’all!
French 75s
If the idea of a lemon drop martini is appealing but you don’t enjoy sweet cocktails, try a French 75. These sparkly sippers are tart, fun, and super easy to make.
Chambord Margaritas
Not to generalize that all women love pink, but come ON – the adorable blush color of these Chambord Margaritas are too fun (so is the tequila!)
Extra Giggly Sparkling Maple Bourbon Ciders
Another crazy-easy, 3-ingredient, fall-inspired cocktail recipe for ya! If your girls are gigglers – Extra Giggly Sparkling Maple Bourbon Ciders will really get them rolling.
Gluten-Free Mozzarella Bites
If your buds don’t love molten cheese then I hate to break it to you but you’re hanging out with the wrong crowd. There, I said it. All good girlfriends deserve Gluten-Free Mozzarella Bites!
No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
Trust me when I tell you this no-frills-yet-knock-your-socks-off dip will be the HIT of your next girl’s night. No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip calls for just 3 ingredients, is make-ahead, and can be made dairy-free too.
Fig and Prosciutto Goat Cheese Dip
Good girlfriends don’t judge how much dip you can shovel into your mouth at one time, which is a good thing because you’ll be piling each cracker HIGH with this easy, sweet and savory, Fig and Prosciutto Goat Cheese Dip. Readers go CRAZY for the combination of fig, prosciutto, and goat cheese.
Click here for the recipe >
Bacon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Sweet Pepper Poppers
Finger foods are a must for girl’s night and my Bacon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Sweet Pepper Poppers are the most delicious little 2-biters. Prep ahead of time then bake right before you’re all ready to nibble.
Click here for the recipe >
How to Make a Cheese Platter
Any time my friends and I get together, there’s undoubtedly a giant cheese platter involved. Making a cheese board isn’t hard, nor does it have to be expensive. My How to Make a Cheese Plate for Entertaining post tells you how much cheese to have on hand for everyone, plus provides lots of yummy ideas for fillers. Don’t forget the Herb and Garlic Marinated Olives!
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Basic or not, your friends will ADORE Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Covered Pretzels. These babies are incredibly addicting and pair perfectly with a juicy glass of cab.
Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownies
Never have I ever seen chocolate NOT go over well with a group of gal pals. My Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownies are made in one bowl with 6 everyday ingredients, and are dense, chewy, and chocolatey. BRB going to go make a batch.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecakes
I can’t be the only girl who squeals at individual-sized desserts that taste like giant peanut butter cups, right?! No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecakes are rich and decadent, yet portion controlled – they’ll be a hit with your buds.
Berries in a Cloud
Berries in a Cloud SCREAM ‘girl time’! They’re so, so adorable, light, and have just the right amount of sweet. Great for your friends who are trying to eat healthier but still want something special. Bonus points for all the components being make-ahead, too.
Triple Berry Crumb Bars
Easy, colorful, pairs well with wine. Triple Berry Crumb Bars are checking all the girl’s night dessert boxes!
Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Print out multi copies of the recipe for Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies because your friends are going to be asking for it. Friends don’t keep amazing cookie recipes from friends!
I’ve only been trying gluten free for a few weeks but feel so much better. I really appreciate your gluten free recipes! Thanks!
I’m so glad to hear that, Alice! Thrilled you’re enjoying the recipes. :)
Love the way you have decorated and it’s more presentable.
This message spoke to me. haha. I have literally been planning two events with my friends for MONTHS and my husband just picks up and goes out for drinks with no second thought and EVERY ONE of his friends show up. What the actual heck.
I hear you about the challenge to plan a night with your girlfriends! It seems to only get harder as you age…
thank you for all of these wonderful entertaining recipes, love having cocktails and appetizers in one inspiring place, whether for girls night out, boys, boys and girls or whatever!
You’re right, Sabrina – mozzarella bites for all! ;)
Thank you for this post. Its very inspiring.
This post is perfect timing, my girlfriends are all coming to my house tomorrow night for girl’s night! We used to do it once a month but are now just glad to do it when we can! Have fun!
Oh my gosh, it’s fate. I hope you ladies had a blast!
I just screenshot the intro to your post and sent it to all my girlfriends. SPOT on! Thanks for the laugh & truth..and recipes of course. Enjoy a good girls’ night!
The struggle is reeeeeeal! Glad we’re not the only ones! ?