The Ina Garten-Approved Dessert We’re Passing Off as Homemade This Holiday Season

As Ina says, "Store-bought is fine!"

As the holidays approach, we’re all writing our shopping lists, scouring grocery store ads for deals, and finding ways to save on the basics so we can splurge where it truly counts.

If baking isn’t your thing, investing in high-quality baked goods from a local farmers market or specialty grocery store is absolutely worth it. You can balance the splurge by grabbing items like canned cranberry sauce ahead of time when it’s on sale—or by picking up Costco’s massive 4-pound pumpkin pie for just $6.

But if you’re wondering what’s truly worth spending your hard-earned dollars on this Thanksgiving, why not take a cue from Ina Garten? The Barefoot Contessa herself is all for simplifying holiday prep, even if that means passing off store-bought mashed potatoes as homemade or serving a Trader Joe’s dessert without divulging its origins.

This season, you might want to take a page out of Ina’s entertaining book: purchase a premade dessert, plate it beautifully, and let your guests assume it’s homemade. Ina would surely approve—especially if the dessert is one of hers.

Ina’s Giant Coconut Cupcakes on Goldbelly

Though Ina sold her Barefoot Contessa specialty store in the Hamptons back in the mid-'90s, some of her most beloved treats, including her signature carrot cake, are now available on Goldbelly. Her online shop on the gourmet food and gift platform features a variety of splurge-worthy items, including her jumbo coconut cupcakes.

Each cupcake measures a generous 4 inches, weighs about 6 ounces, and is a smaller, shareable version of her famous coconut cake. The cupcakes come in boxes of nine and are priced at $99 (shipping included)—a definite splurge, but it's one reviewers agree is worth it. Fans rave about the impeccable packaging and shipping, as well as the quality of Ina’s baked goods.

The cupcakes ship frozen with ice packs and can be stored at room temperature for up to three days, in the fridge for five days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

How to Serve Ina's Cupcakes Like a Pro

Want to pass these cupcakes off as your own? Simply unbox them, arrange them artfully on a serving platter, and casually add them to your dessert spread. As Ina famously says, “store-bought is fine.” In this case, “Goldbelly-bought is fine.”

How to Make Coconut Cupcakes on a Budget

If you’re craving coconut cupcakes for your holiday dessert table but can’t justify the $99 price tag, don’t fret. We’ve got a coconut cupcake recipe that’s just as delicious—though the cupcakes are standard-sized. Plus, baking them yourself means you can proudly say, “I made these,” no fibbing required.

Whether you go the Ina-approved route or whip up your own batch, these coconut treats are sure to be a holiday hit.