Christmas
Custard Creams
These are a very delicate take on a classic English sandwich cookie, and quite fragile too, which is why you need the piping bag. They are pure edible nostalgia.
By Tom Parker Bowles
Pistachio Brioche
Time, rather than years of experience, is what you really need when making your own brioche. Along with a mixer fitted with a dough hook. Fortnum’s chefs have been using this particular recipe for over 32 years. The reason? It works like a dream, every single time.
By Tom Parker Bowles
Slow Cooker Potato, Leek, and Kale Gratin With Too Much Cheese
Layers of creamy potato, three cheeses, and savory kale and leeks mean that this is one dish that's here for a good time, not a long time.
By Katrina Meynink
Lamb Tagine With Potatoes and Peas
Tagines are typical street food in Morocco, and this is the one that is most commonly found, except that street vendors cut the potatoes into small dice and I prefer to use new potatoes, which I leave whole if they are very small or halve if they are medium.
By Anissa Helou
Deep, Dark Chocolate Cake
This incredibly dark, extra-moist cake is meant for serious chocolate lovers. Dutch-process cocoa powder and baking soda give it a deep color. Top with light, fluffy meringue or your favorite frosting.
By Shirley O. Corriher
Italian Meringue
This very stable Italian meringue is incredibly versatile—it makes magnificent billowy white peaks to brown as you wish. It is a large recipe—6 egg whites—so that you have an abundance of this great meringue. Of course, you can easily halve this recipe.
By Shirley O. Corriher
Kue Keju
These savory Indonesian cookies from cookbook author Lara Lee are perfectly buttery, crumbly, and cheesy. Make a big batch and enjoy them with coffee or tea all week long.
By Lara Lee
Classic Kouign-Amann
Small, hand-held kouign-amann are common in North America, but this recipe shows off the other way the classic Breton pastry can be made: as a single 9-inch cake.
By Claire Saffitz
Pozole Verde Con Hongos
This vegetarian pozole relies on meaty mushrooms and hearty hominy to become a filling, soul-nourishing meal-in-a-bowl.
By Pati Jinich
Gelatina de Mosaico
This mosaic jello uses gelatina de leche as a base in which colorful cubes of three other gelatin flavors are suspended. If you’re having a birthday party, use small cups instead of a baking dish for individually portioned treats!
By Esteban Castillo
Black Pork Curry (Kalu Uru Mas Curry)
Enough cannot be said of the Sri Lankan delicacy black pork curry. It is a delicious and truly flavorful dish—every family has their own generational recipe.
By Ruwanmali Samarakoon-Amunugama
These Holiday-Ready Biscuits Go Sweet or Savory
Stuff them with greens and cheese or layer them with ginger and jam.
By Tara O'Brady
Spinach and Cheese Slab Biscuits
These pillowy biscuits are stuffed with spinach and cheese, but they work equally well with any other vegetable you care to throw at them. Swap the spinach for up to a cup of roasted squash, charred poblanos, or other cooked vegetable, and sub the Gruyère with any other cheese you like (if you choose a more intense cheese like feta or blue cheese, use ¾ cup instead of the full cup).
By Tara O'Brady
Hot Cocoa, Yes. And Also Hot Butterscotch
It’s like toasty, buttery caramel in drinkable form.
By Maggie Hoffman
Apple and Jam Oil Cake
Dairy free, rustic and easy to make, this fruit-layered cake works equally well with stone fruit in summer or firm pears in winter.
By Monday Morning Cooking Club
A Feast for Small Crowds: Christian Reynoso’s Spiced, Marmalade-Lacquered Duck Legs
This festive dish for four is the only adornment your holiday table needs.
By Joe Sevier
Braised Chile-Marmalade Duck Legs With Brussels Sprouts
Simmer duck legs in a chile-infused, maramalade-based braise until tender, then reduce the sauce to a sticky-rich lacquer to glaze over the crisp skin.
By Christian Reynoso
Hot Butterscotch
This luscious drink gives hot chocolate a run for its money. Really caramelizing the sugar keeps the drink from tasting cloyingly sweet. Add a glug of good rum or skip it as desired.
By Michelle Polzine
Fleming Fizz
This winter cocktail is bright and fizzy, spicy with ginger, and smoky with Scotch. Think of it as a Penicillin, gone extra-festive.
By Fred Yarm
Sprinkle Sugar on Your Cheese for the Best Holiday Snack
Cheese and crackers gone fancy.
By Tiffany Hopkins