Bûche de Noël

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?

Jewish Hanukkah Doughnuts

Don’t let the name mislead you. These doughnuts are cause for celebration in and of themselves, regardless of one’s occasion or denomination.

Braised Saffron Carrots

A sweet-tart side dish sensation. These carrots of any–or many–hues take a turn for the better when braised in olive oil with a pinch of saffron and a splash of vinegar.

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 35 M
• 5

Hanukkah Cookies

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

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

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

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

• Quick Glance
• 40 M
• 2 H
• 13

Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl Meringues

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

• Quick Glance
• 30 M
• 4 H, 15 M
• 4

Chocolate-Dipped Molasses Cookies

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

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.

Royal Icing

Whether your knack for cookie-decorating leans toward fancy schmancy or basic buttons on gingerbread people, you need a foolproof royal icing. Look no more.

Onion Thyme Tart

What are folks are saying about this hors d’oeuvre that’s a cinch to make and even easier to devour? “Delicate.” “Flaky.” “Perfect.” “I could not stop eating it!”

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 1 H, 40 M
• 18

Warm Pear and Blue Cheese Tart

No savory cheese plate, this tart sits squarely on the sweet side of things. It’s lovely as a last course–and even lovelier alongside a generous pour of port.

Pastina Stars with Butter and Milk

We’ve got stars in our eyes! And our bowls, and our spoons, thanks to pastina, a teensy star-shaped pasta that just may be the cutest supper in the solar system.

Pan-Roasted Mushrooms

Mushrooms and butter and garlic, oh my! Think you’ve been there, done that? Trust us, you haven’t. Not like this. Read on to understand this recipe’s brilliance.

Stilton and Walnut Crackers

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

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.

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 2 H
• 14

Spiced Maple Pecan Pie with Star Anise

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.

• Quick Glance
• 30 M
• 4 H, 20 M
• 5

Seasonal Vegetable Tempura

We could stare at this breathtakingly stunning tempura all day. Breathtakingly, staggeringly stunning–and genius, too, in terms of using up those languishing veggies in your fridge.

Velvet Mashed Potatoes

No mere mash, this creamy potato puree owes its uber velvetiness not just to butter and cream, but to an inexpensive and everyday kitchen tool.

• Quick Glance
• 15 M
• 35 M
• 12