Maria Peplowski, Recipe Tester

True to its name, this dense, brownie-like cake takes its allure from a full pound of chocolate. A hint of cocoa lends even more chocolatey complexity.

As buttery and airy as brioche but with a far weightier responsibility than its breakfast chum, challah ensures a sweet new year in Jewish tradition. We’ll break bread to that.

This luscious, silken, subtly flavored coconut tart is topped with a delicate burnt-sugar crust borrowed from crème brûlée, that shatters when sliced.

Comfort finds us in unexpected ways. Thank goodness for that. And thank goodness for this not-too-sweet, subtly apple-y, kid-friendly quick bread.

So what if salmon isn’t from Italy? Cookbook author Giuliano Hazan is and he says to toss chunks of the rich fish with pasta, tomatoes, and cream. We’ll happily oblige.

Just like the women for whom it’s named, this pasta puttanesca recipe is edgy, spicy, and more than a little sassy. Gets the job done in a hurry, too.

More savory than sweet, these shortbread go magnificently with booze of any sorts, from the most genteel of cocktails to your go-to wine from the corner store.

A baseball classic. Although our take on classic caramel corn is somewhat more delicate and buttery than the stale sort found at the ball park–and won’t last longer than an inning.

A lilt of lemon and hints of thyme dance throughout this simple risotto. The best they’ve ever tasted.

These beauties aren’t unlike classic sugar cookies in terms of ease and appeal. They’re just a little richer and a lot less expected.