Everyone’s favorite Golden Girl—the one and only Betty White—turns 99 on January 1. So, how does the comedy icon plan to celebrate her upcoming birthday, quarantine-style?
Betty Is Feeding the Ducks
“Running a mile each morning has been curtailed by COVID,” the actress told Entertainment Tonight in an interview released this week. “So I am working on getting The Pet Set re-released, and feeding the two ducks who come to visit me every day.”
Betty hosted The Pet Set in the 1970s. On the show, she welcomed celebrity guests like Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore and Burt Reynolds, along with a range of animals including tigers, bears, elephants, lions, wolves, gorillas, cougars, seals, kangaroos, zebras and eagles…oh my! The show will be re-released in late February to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
She’ll Be 99 Years Young
Since this comedy icon can’t host the birthday blowout bash that she deserves, here are a few ways you can celebrate Betty White’s greatness at home.
The 99-year-old credits vodka and hot dogs to her long, healthy life…and “lots and lots of it.” An interesting combo for sure, but if it works for Betty, it works for us. To prepare, check out some of our favorite vodka brands and hot dog recipes.
For a proper cheers to the national treasure that is Betty White, might we also suggest these fabulous tiki mugs in the shape of your favorite Golden Girls characters?
Then, for decor, we’ve got a ton of great ideas for throwing the most epic Golden Girls-themed birthday party. Just picture Miami in the late ’80s: pastels, palm fronds and little touches that each character would appreciate. For a quick and easy party, Amazon even sells a party pack with plates, cups, table covers and plenty of hilarious quotes.
However you choose to celebrate Betty White, we send nothing but love and well wishes to this comedy legend!
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
I'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama New to making cheesecake? Check out our ultimate guide for how to make cheesecake.
Yogurt-Ricotta Cheesecake
I have always liked Italian ricotta cheesecakes, but they have too much sugar for me. I made a diabetic version, and my family couldn't even tell! I serve mine with sugar-free strawberry ice cream topping and fresh strawberries. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
Contest-Winning Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
This is my favorite blueberry cheesecake recipe, which I often make for family get-togethers. —Cathy Medley, Clyde, Ohio
Double-Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
I thought cheesecake and pumpkin pie would be amazing together. This creamy combo won a prize in our local pie contest, so I guess the judges agreed! —Noel Ferry, Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake Tart
I first made this irresistible dessert for some dinner guests. They were overwhelmed by its rich flavor and appearance. My husband commented that it was the best dessert he had ever eaten in his whole life. —Heather Bennett, Dunbar, West Virginia
Mocha Truffle Cheesecake
I went through a phase when I couldn't get enough cheesecake or coffee, so I created this rich dessert. Its brownie-like crust and creamy mocha layer really hit the spot. It's ideal for get-togethers because it can be made in advance. —Shannon Dormady, Great Falls, Montana
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
I created this recipe to combine two of my all-time favorites: cheesecake for the grown-up in me and chocolate chip cookie dough for the little girl in me. Sour cream offsets the sweetness and adds a nice tang. Everyone who tries this scrumptious cookie dough cheesecake loves it. —Julie Craig, Kewaskum, Wisconsin
S'more Cheesecake
This luscious dessert is just as wonderfully tasty as the campfire snack that inspired it. It's a great way to savor a summer classic anytime of year. Our 4-year-old daughter likes it so much that she's requested it for her next birthday! —Robin Andrews, Cary, North Carolina
Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream
You’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Honey Pecan Cheesecake
Birthdays and holidays are great times for cheesecake. In our annual church bake-off, it won first place! —Tish Frish, Hampden, Maine
Creamy Tiramisu Cheesecake
The Italian word "tiramisu" means "pick-me-up" and refers to a dessert of ladyfinger sponge cake dipped in coffee. Work that in with cream cheese, and you have a guaranteed picker-upper that redefines a classic. —Mrs. Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake
Cardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California
Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake
I always get compliments when I whip up this rich little cheesecake. With layers of caramel, chocolate and vanilla, it's an instant classic. —Erin Byrd, Springfield, Missouri
No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cannoli Cheesecake
I make this cheesecake in the summer for a flavorful and refreshing treat. I love the added bonus of not having to turn on the oven in hot weather. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Chocolate Malt Cheesecake
My mother-in-law loved chocolate malts—and cheesecakes, too. Can you guess who passed this recipe on to me? Sometimes, I substitute pretzel crumbs for the graham cracker crumbs. They make a surprisingly good crust! —Anita Moffett, Rewey, Wisconsin
Roasted Banana & Pecan Cheesecake
We keep bananas on hand, but with just two of us in the house, they ripen faster than we can eat them. That makes them perfect for roasting and baking into this cheesecake with a nutty crust. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
If you delight in the taste of chocolate, then this is the cheesecake for you. Every creamy bite melts in your mouth. It's so impressive yet not difficult to prepare—I whip up this dessert each time I want a yummy treat for my family, friends or co-workers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
Coconut Cheesecake & Rhubarb Compote
I took my daughter’s love of cheesecake plus my mom’s love of coconut and rhubarb and ran with it. Try it with a smidge of chocolate sauce, too. —Wendy Rusch, Trego, Wisconsin
Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
After spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s great coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Spiced Apple Cheesecake
When you live in apple country, you get the privilege of selecting the apples and recipes you want for year-round enjoyment. Granny Smith apples are tart and crisp. Combined with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg, they make a delightful topping for a cheesecake of the Pacific Northwest. —Grace Hughes, Oroville, Washington
Luscious Almond Cheesecake
I received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas
Caramel Fudge Cheesecake
It's hard to resist this chocolaty cheesecake with its fudgy crust, crunchy pecans and gooey layer of caramel. I combined several recipes to create this version that satisfies both the chocolate lovers and the cheesecake lovers in my family. —Brenda Ruse, Truro, Nova Scotia
Winning Cranberry Cheesecake
The holidays wouldn't be complete without cranberries and eggnog. I use them both in this flavorful cheesecake that's the perfect finale for a special dinner. Set it out at the start of the meal, not just to solicit "oohs" and "aahs," but to remind folks to save room for dessert! —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New JerseyThe post This Is How Betty White Plans to Celebrate Her 99th Birthday appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lauren Naru