Maria Peplowski, Recipe Tester

A list of all the recipes Maria Peplowski has tested.

A few scoops of apple sorbet in a glass dish.

Apple Sorbet with Ginger

Pretty in pink is this lovely sorbet, thanks to the inclusion of the entire apple, blush red peel included, as well as a little Geürztraminer for sweet sophistication.

A wooden table with a pink gingham bag with 7 brown sugar cookies in it and a label.

Brown Sugar Cookies

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.

A pound of chocolate cake cut into nine squares and drizzled with chocolate ganache.

Pound of Chocolate Cake

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.

A partially sliced loaf of challah on a wooden cutting board.

Challah

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.

A partially sliced coconut crème brûlée tart topped with raspberries on a white linen cloth with a fork and napkin beside it.

Coconut Crème Brûlée Tart

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

A loaf of applesauce bread in a parchment-lined loaf pan.

Applesauce Bread

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.

A white bowl filled with farfelle with fresh salmon is nested inside another white bowl with a carafe and glass of red wine in the background.

Farfalle with Fresh Salmon

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.

White bowl with ziti and a pasta puttanesca sauce

Pasta Puttanesca

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.

A waxed paper bag filled with caramel popcorn.

Caramel Popcorn

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.

Pomegranate Walnut Relish in a white bowl on a red and white placemat.

Pomegranate Walnut Relish

This stunning little sauce comes together with ease, imparting a vibrant sweet-tart-crunchiness to practically anything you can think to bestow it upon.

Jam Tartlets

Jam Tartlets

These jam tartlets are a mouthful of surprises: crisp, buttery crust, tangy jam, and sweet, crumbly streusel. Serve them as a snack or picnic fare.

Four bowls filled with chopped chicken and vegetables all topped with golden crusts

Individual Chicken Pot Pies

These pot pies are the ultimate comfort food. Any why not? Creamy chicken and vegetable filling lies in wait beneath a thyme-infused buttery crust.