Give your family a warm holiday memory that will transport them to the great hall and kick off this holiday season in New Mexico with a little bit of magic!
In our home, nothing says fall and the beginning of the holiday season like Harry Potter. This year, I decided to add a new tradition to kick things off with a very special and extremely magical evening where we brought the Great Hall home to The Land of Enchantment with floating candles, cottage pie (chicken pot pie), pumpkin pasties, and a flight of magical drinks.
🧹 1. Prepare for Magic
Gather Decor, Costumes, and Ingredients
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Plan the menu and shop. Be sure to check to see what ingredients you need to buy and which ones you already have on hand. *I will give you a shopping list that you can copy and paste for the food and beverages below.
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Set the table and decorate the space. Pro Tip: I like to decorate the table a day ahead and feed the family at the kitchen table or kitchen island for a few meals. I do this for holidays and dinner parties as well because that one step being complete always gives me a little bit of peace of mind.
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Get costumes and wands ready! This is not required, but definitely adds to the magic. If you don’t want to spend the money on costumes for the family and if your son isn’t the actual Harry Potter like mine (wink), have everyone dress in their Sunday Best to make it extra special.
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Get the kids involved! They will love to be a part of the setup, and it can be a lot of work putting it all together, so having some extra hands, even if they are small hands, is like having your own magic wand and will go a long way to ease some of the stress of prep and execution of the feast!
🕯️ 2. The Decor
Transform your Dining Room into The Great Hall
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I chose to use a neutral linen blanket, but you can also use a tablecloth that you have on hand. I kind of bunched it up in the center of the table like a table runner, and the textures gave a nice touch to add to the decor.
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Use pumpkins, faux battery-operated candles, cauldrons if you have any from brewing your potions, and other decor that feels like home, like wooden charcuterie boards, etc.
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Here are some of my favorite decor items:
- Floating candles from Amazon (and the wand that controls them!)
- Cauldrons add the best touch of witchcraft and wizardry
- The Flight of Potions came to life with this amazing set
🍽️ 3. The Dinner: A Feast Fit for Your Head Boy or Girl
Cottage Pie: A Chicken Pot Pie that is golden, creamy, cozy, and feels like a hug from Hogwarts.
🍗 Ingredients
For the filling (can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated until ready for use):
- ¼ cup butter (plus up to 2 Tbsp more if needed)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Up to 1 quart chicken stock (add gradually)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded (or 1 lb pre-shredded cooked chicken)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- 1 t. garlic powder
- 1 t. onion powder
- 1 t. garlic salt
For assembly:
- Pie crusts (use store-bought or your favorite pie recipe)
- 1 egg, beaten + 2 Tbsp heavy cream (for egg wash)
🔥 Instructions
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Sauté the Mirepoix:
In a large skillet, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cook until vegetables are soft and translucent (about 5–7 minutes). -
Build the Roux:
Sprinkle in ¼ cup flour and stir to coat the vegetables.
Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, adding an extra tablespoon or two of butter if the mixture feels too dry. -
Create the Sauce:
Gradually whisk in chicken stock, a little at a time, until smooth and thickened. Then add 1 cup heavy cream and whisk until creamy and velvety. -
Add the Chicken:
Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken and minced garlic. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired. -
Cool the Filling:
Let the filling thicken slightly, then cool and refrigerate until ready to assemble your pies. (You can make it up to two days ahead!) -
Assemble & Bake:
Roll out or spread pre-made pie crusts into individual ramekins and poke the bottom with the tines of a fork. Spoon the chilled filling in almost to the top and top with either a lattice or rolled out pie crust. If not using a lattice, make sure to poke a few holes in the top with the tines of the fork to allow the pie to breathe. Brush with egg wash, and bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling. (Add a sheet of tin foil over the top for the first 15 minutes to prevent over browning.)
🥧 4. The Dessert: Sweet Treats that Feel Like Home
Pumpkin Pasties: A delightful and decadent treat!
🎃 Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 small can (15 oz) pumpkin purée
- 1–2 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (divided: one for filling, one for egg wash)
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- Pinch of salt
Crust:
- 1 package pre-made pie crust (2 sheets)
- Flour for dusting
- 1 additional egg (for egg wash)
🔥 Instructions
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Make the Filling:
In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, brown sugar, 1 egg, and mashed banana until smooth and creamy. Add a pinch of salt and taste—it should be lightly sweet and warmly spiced. -
Prep the Crusts:
Roll out the pre-made pie crusts on a lightly floured surface.
Using a large round cookie cutter (about 4–5 inches), cut out circles of dough. -
Assemble the Pasties:
Use a small cookie scoop (about 1½ Tbsp) to place a dollop of filling in the center of each dough circle.
Fold the dough in half to create a half-moon shape.
Press the edges firmly together and crimp with a fork or your fingers to seal well. -
Add the Egg Wash:
Beat the second egg in a small bowl. Brush the tops of each pasty lightly with the egg wash for that beautiful golden sheen. -
Vent and Bake:
Use a fork to poke small holes on top of each pasty to let steam escape.
Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 375°F for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly puffed. -
Cool & Serve:
Let the pasties cool for at least 10 minutes before serving—the filling will be piping hot!
Optional: Drizzle with maple glaze for extra enchantment.
🧪 5. The Flight of Drinks: A Potion Flight that Delights!
The flight set from Amazon is a perfect way to present this indulgent flight of sweet drinks. The flavor of the Polyjuice Potion makes it the perfect ending drink to turn your little witches and wizards back into themselves after this epic meal.
🥛 Boo Brew: Chocolate milk with marshmallow ghosts and whipped cream.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups chocolate milk (or chocolate oat milk)
- ½ cup marshmallow fluff or large marshmallows
- ½ cup whipped cream
- Mini chocolate chips or melted chocolate for ghost eyes
Instructions:
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Pour chilled chocolate milk into clear glasses.
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Pipe or spoon marshmallow fluff ghosts onto the rim of each glass, or cut large marshmallows into ghost shapes with kitchen scissors.
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Add eyes with tiny dots of melted chocolate or mini chocolate chips.
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Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and enjoy!
🕯️ Tip: Serve with chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder for extra “ghostly” glamour.
🍏 Polyjuice Potion: A bright, earthy blend of apple cider and spinach.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups apple cider (chilled or warm)
- 2 cups baby spinach (fresh)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Ice (if serving cold)
Instructions:
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In a blender, combine apple cider and spinach.
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Blend on high until completely smooth and bright green.
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Taste—if you’d like a touch more sweetness, add honey or maple syrup.
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Serve immediately over ice (for a cool potion) or warm gently in a saucepan (for a cozy cauldron brew).
💚 Tip: Serve in clear goblets so the vivid green color shines!
🎃 Pumpkin Juice: Sweet, spiced, and creamy. Hogwarts’ most beloved fall drink.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Whipped cream, for topping
Instructions:
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In a saucepan, whisk together pumpkin purée, apple cider, and pumpkin pie spice.
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Warm over medium heat until steaming (do not boil).
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Stir in vanilla extract and pour into mugs.
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Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
🍺 Butterbeer: The most iconic Hogwarts treat! Get transported in one sip.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cream soda (chilled)
- ½ tsp butter extract
- ½ tsp caramel extract
- Whipped cream
- Butterscotch syrup (for topping)
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, combine cream soda, butter extract, and caramel extract. Stir gently.
- Pour into chilled mugs or glasses.
- Top each with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch syrup.
Mischief managed, and our wizard hearts are full. Stay cozy this fall and winter, and we wish you many magical dinners!
*Shopping List to Copy and Paste:
Dairy & Refrigerated
■ Butter (1 lb)
■ Heavy cream (2 cups total)
■ Eggs (1 dozen)
■ Milk or chocolate milk (½ gallon)
■ Whipped cream (1 can or homemade)
■ Cream soda (4 bottles or 1 liter)
■ Marshmallow Fluff (1 small jar)
■ Pre-made pie crust (2 packages, 4 crusts)
Produce
■ 1 medium yellow onion
■ 2 carrots
■ 2 celery stalks
■ 1 ripe banana
■ 2 cups baby spinach
■ Garlic (2–3 cloves)
Meat
■ 1 rotisserie chicken or 1 lb pre-cooked shredded chicken
Pantry & Baking
■ All-purpose flour
■ Chicken stock or broth (1 quart)
■ Salt & black pepper
■ Garlic powder & onion powder
■ 1 small can pumpkin purée (15 oz)
■ Maple syrup (¼ cup)
■ Brown sugar (½ cup total)
■ Pumpkin pie spice (1–2 tbsp)
■ Apple cider (½ gallon minimum)
■ Vanilla extract (optional)
■ Granulated sugar
Beverages & Flavorings
■ Apple cider (½ gallon minimum)
■ Butter extract (1 small bottle)
■ Caramel extract (1 small bottle)
■ Butterscotch syrup (for topping)
■ Cocoa powder (optional for dusting)
