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Valentine’s Sugar Cookies

Valentine’s Sugar Cookies

Feb 10, 2012 11 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice

Sure, you could say it with flowers. Although if novelty is what you’re after, a bouquet isn’t exactly the answer. These sweet little somethings, on the other hand…

Monster Chocolate M&M Cookies

Monster Chocolate M&M Cookies

Feb 03, 2012 10 Comments by  
Filed under baking | chocolate | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice

These chocolatey sensations–with their crisp edges and chewy centers–are monstrous in size as well as their lineup of kooky ingredients.

Satsuma Orange Cake

Satsuma Orange Cake

Jan 20, 2012 14 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cakes | desserts | testers choice

Looks like an upside-down cake. Tastes like an upside-down cake. Yet this cake couldn’t be more right-side up, with no scary moment of wrecking, er, reckoning.

Flaky Croissants

Flaky Croissants

Jan 19, 2012 18 Comments by  
Filed under baking | breads | breakfast | testers choice

When your cheeks are smudged with flour and there’s an obscenely buttery, made-from-scratch croissant before you, you’ll be glad you didn’t just run out to the corner bakery.

Blood Orange Marmalade

Blood Orange Marmalade

Jan 13, 2012 14 Comments by  
Filed under baking | breakfast | gluten-free | the arsenal™ | vegan | vegetarian | weekend projects™

Find yourself a little melancholy at the impending end of citrus season? Extend the ephemeral with these puckery–and perfect–preserves.

Ultra-Thin Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ultra-Thin Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Jan 10, 2012 22 Comments by  
Filed under baking | chocolate | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

These diaphanous lovelies are a theatrical departure from the norm, shattering dramatically and delivering untold caramelized, bittersweet chocolate goodness.

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Dec 23, 2011 27 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cakes | chocolate | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

The true beauty of this Bundt depends on your perspective. Does it lie in its stunning silhouette? Its intensely chocolatey chocolatiness? Or its lazy day ease? You tell us.

Chocolate Babka

Chocolate Babka

Dec 16, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under baking | breads | testers choice | vegetarian

Best babka ever! Holy Cow! Holy Babka! Those are just some of the responses we’re hearing ’bout this indulgent loaf of butter-y, chocolate-y, Jewish-y goodness.

Christmas Tree of Cookies

Christmas Tree of Cookies

Dec 08, 2011 2 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | vegetarian

Holiday diet tactic #142: This stunning cookie tree. (Sort of makes it harder to scarf down a half batch of cookies when doing so would demolish the Christmas tree, eh?)

Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël

Dec 08, 2011 10 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cakes | chocolate | desserts | gluten-free | testers choice | vegetarian

We’ve no clue why the French felt compelled to roll chocolate cake with ganache in the likeness of a log. But with a taste like this, who the heck cares?

Hanukkah Cookies

Hanukkah Cookies

Dec 07, 2011 Leave a Comment by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | vegetarian

These spectacular–and, we swear, simple–cookie creations can be yours with your favorite roll-out cookie recipe, our royal icing, and these handy how-tos.

Sugar Christmas Snow Cookies

Sugar Christmas Snow Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 12 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

What exactly is a snow cookie? It’s a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth moment of loveliness, and it’s as easy to roll and bake and decorate as it is to admire–and devour.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 1 Comment by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

The cutest, sweetest, happiest gingerbread people ever, right? They also happen to be the fastest, cheapest, unfussiest gingerbread cookies we’ve encountered.

Quentin’s Grandma’s Rugelach

Quentin’s Grandma’s Rugelach

Dec 06, 2011 13 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | testers choice | vegetarian

“Transcendent” is how the author describes these rugelach. We’d like to add “flaky,” “tender,” and “perfect” to the list of apt adjectives.

Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl Meringues

Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl Meringues

Dec 06, 2011 4 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | desserts | gluten-free | testers choice | vegetarian

Whoever first thought to beat sugar and egg whites into pillowy peaks has our gratitude. So does author Annie Rigg for swirling in cocoa and cinnamon.

Chocolate-Dipped Molasses Cookies

Chocolate-Dipped Molasses Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 3 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | testers choice | vegan | vegetarian

Though the name doesn’t give it away, these subtly spiced cookies are vegan-friendly, though we sure as heck couldn’t tell it from their I’ll-have-just-one-more appeal. Shhhh.

Black Pepper Cookies

Black Pepper Cookies

Dec 06, 2011 8 Comments by  
Filed under baking | cookies | bars | testers choice | vegetarian

It’s no surprise that a traditional Scandinavian cookie would be warming. Chalk it up to an inspired melding of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and cocoa.

Stilton and Walnut Crackers

Stilton and Walnut Crackers

Nov 23, 2011 6 Comments by  
Filed under appetizers | baking | entertaining | hors d'oeuvre | testers choice | vegetarian

Perhaps the simplest precursor to a dinner party ever. Just make the savory shortbread dough, freeze it, slice it, and bake it at the very last second. You’re welcome.

Pumpkin Quick Bread

Pumpkin Quick Bread

Nov 23, 2011 12 Comments by  
Filed under baking | breads | breakfast | testers choice | vegetarian

Home cook and storybook savant T. Susan Chang explains how she eventually came around to baking this quick, fragrant, subtly sweet loaf from a gourd of fairy tale proportions.

Spiced Maple Pecan Pie with Star Anise

Spiced Maple Pecan Pie with Star Anise

Nov 19, 2011 5 Comments by  
Filed under baking | desserts | pies | tarts | testers choice | vegetarian

Here’s a nifty little trick. Reduce maple syrup until sticky, infuse it with spice, and rely on it to impart its ridiculously intense essence to pecan pie.