Donna Kelce shares how Pillsbury recipes are part of her family’s food traditions, interview

From the classic Pillsbury Crescent Rolls to winning recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, home cooks know that they can trust the brand. Donna Kelce, America’s favorite football mom, is one of those home cooks. As part of the 2024 Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest winner announcement, Kelce shared some of her family’s Pillsbury baking traditions, the ease of using Pillsbury products, and some of her boys’ favorite foods.

This year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest’s theme was “Holiday Family Favorites.” The winning recipe, Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce recipe, from Julie McIntire from Independence, Missouri, earned high praise from the judging panel. Combining great flavor with ease, it is the perfect dish for any gathering.

As part of the 52nd annual announcement, Pillsbury partnered with Donna Kelce. Previously, Kelce shared how a twist on a Pillsbury recipe had become part of her family’s holiday traditions.

Recently, I had the privilege to chat with Kelce about this partnership, her family’s food traditions, and some football pre-game bites. Like many moms can appreciate, food is more than just satiating hunger. Those moments around the table create the memories that last a lifetime.

Since the holidays and food traditions often go hand in hand, Kelce appreciates how those favorite recipes invite people to gather around the table. When asked about her family’s traditions, she shared the following.

“One of my favorite recipes to make that Jason and Travis can’t get enough of during the holidays is my famous Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls made with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. They are actually based on the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest winning recipe, Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs, and are an irresistible blend of cinnamon-sugar and a flaky crescent crust. The Pillsbury Bake-Off has been around for over 70 years, and in that time it has become part of my family’s holiday traditions with my Bake-Off inspired dinner rolls. I am so excited to be partnering with Pillsbury to share this year’s winning recipes and inspire the next generation of home cooks with these dishes.”

“For my family, the holidays can be so busy, as everyone is always traveling so much to and from games. That’s why I love baking as a way to bring my sons together, along with friends and family. It brings back memories of when the boys were young, especially making all of their favorite recipes. I share that same passion with Pillsbury — we both know that coming together around food can create moments with family that turn into cherished memories.”

While those flavors can be etched into people’s memories for years, sometimes the exact recipe is not necessarily written down. Kelce wants to ensure that everyone can enjoy a taste of those classics year after year.

“It’s definitely important to me to pass down family recipes and traditions so they can continue for generations to come. That’s why I always make time during the holidays to show my family how I whip up some of my favorites in the kitchen — like my famous Dinner Rolls with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls as a special ingredient! But the best thing is, these don’t need to be saved for a special occasion. I used to make them ‘just because’ when the boys were growing up and now, I even make them with my grandchildren.”

“I love how they’re something we keep making year after year, but also like to pepper in new things. I hope the new Mini Beef Wellingtons from this year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off become a long-term favorite, too!”

While the holidays are often the moment when people stop, moms appreciate that the schedule rarely loses its hectic pace. Luckily, Pillsbury, with its many products and recipes, help to simplify the process. Kelce has benefited from the ease of use.

“Pillsbury simplifies meal prep, and I can always count on my family enjoying it! I make my Dinner Rolls with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls since they are a great way to bring my family the tasty treat they love, year after year, while spending less time in the kitchen.”

“The other thing I love about these Pillsbury products is their versatility. This year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off winner, Julie McIntire from Independence, MO, uses the same Crescent Dough to make Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce which really shows all the different ways you can use Pillsbury products this holiday season.”

“Pillsbury just makes it easy – you can fill the Crescent Rolls with anything! I’ve made tacos with them on weeknights, for example.”

The 52nd annual Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest winning recipe will soon become a classic. Kelce believes that it could become many people’s new holiday tradition.

“One thing I love about the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest is that it inspires endless kinds of recipes that you can create! This year, the “Holiday Family Favorites” theme really shows how you can enhance your family-favorite recipes with Pillsbury for a delicious holiday season. I think this year’s winning recipe, Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce, is such a fun and unexpected way to use Pillsbury Crecent Rolls, creating a smoky, tangy appetizer that’s still easy and convenient amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season! Jason typically prefers savory meat dishes over sweet dishes, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he thinks of this recipe in particular.”

Even though new recipes often bring excitement to the table, there are often a favorite food that everyone craves. As a football mom, sometimes there is a lucky or favorite food that becomes part of the pre-game day routine. Kelce shared this insight about Jason’s and Travis’ preferences.

“When Travis and Jason were young, we ate meals like chicken wings and pizza. And I think that’s why even today, their lucky pre-game meal has always been some take on that. Jason used to eat a burger or wings before every game and Travis loves a carb-heavy meal before he takes the field.”

“While I don’t always love to cook, I love to bake. Jason and Travis grew up enjoying my chocolate chip cookies, Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs, and blueberry muffins, especially around the holidays. Our table sure wouldn’t be complete without Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls, cookies and more as the base of a lot of these beloved recipes!”

Although Kelce might not be cooking for her boys like she did when they were little, she has the opportunity to be grandma in the kitchen. That experience is bringing her a lot of joy.

“It’s been so wonderful watching my grandkids enjoy the same recipes that my sons loved growing up. I can’t wait to be able to pass down these delicious Pillsbury recipes and try out some new ones. This year we’ll add the Bake-Off Contest winning recipe, Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce, to our table and I’m excited to see what everyone thinks. In fact, this might just have to be a new family tradition — trying a new Pillsbury recipe every Thanksgiving!”

Lastly, the holidays are often full of football games. What advice does America’s football mom have regarding having the television on during the meal?

“As long as I get to spend time with my family this holiday, I’m happy whether the game is on or off!”

More information on the winning 52nd annual Pillsbury Bake-Off Winning recipe, Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce recipe, as well as runner-up choices  Cinnamon-Cardamom Crescent Twists and Caramel Apple Tiramisu can be found online.