10,000 bitter recipes

Rum-raisin fudge with chocolate chips, marshmallow creme, pecans, and dark rum-soaked raisins. A boozy, rich candy that makes a standout holiday gift.

Club cheesecake with a zwieback crumb crust and cottage cheese filling brightened with lemon zest and folded egg whites. An old-school, lighter cheesecake with a German-style base.

Rich brownie torte baked in a round pan, loaded with walnuts, and coated in a glossy chocolate glaze. Garnished with fresh strawberries for a stunning, fudgy dessert that slices into elegant wedges.

Lancashire cheese scones made with Cheshire or Double Gloucester cheese, self-rising flour, butter, and a pinch of cayenne. British-style savory scone wedges baked golden in 15 minutes.

Impossible pumpkin pie that creates its own crust as it bakes, made by blending biscuit mix, pumpkin, eggs, and milk into one pie pan. Crustless pumpkin pie in 50 minutes with zero rolling pin required.

Salmon steaks with white wine cream sauce: tender salmon topped with a classic French-style butter, cream, egg yolk, and dry white wine sauce. A 30-minute bistro-style dinner for two.

Crispy Rice Krispies meet sharp cheddar and whole wheat flour in these addictive bite-sized cheese crackers. Golden, crunchy, and gone in minutes at any gathering.

Four pounds of diced sirloin, three jalapeños, crushed garlic, and cumin make this beanless chili a heavyweight contender. Thick, meaty, and built to win any cookoff pot you enter.

Italian-American ricotta pie with a graham cracker crust, sour cream layer, and homemade black cherry topping. Three layers of dairy and fruit that cross over from cheesecake territory into pie shape.

Homemade lemon pasta made from scratch with lemon zest and juice in the dough, tossed with melted butter and pecans. Fresh, citrusy noodles that cook in under 2 minutes.

Slow-roasted venison shoulder braised in beer, sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup with onions and allspice. A hunter's dinner with forgiving creamy gravy.

Traditional Greek baklava with layers of buttery phyllo, cinnamon-spiced walnuts, and sweet lemon syrup. This classic nut strudel is crispy, sweet, and utterly addictive.

Tortellini tossed in a silky crème fraîche sauce with sautéed courgette, herb cheese, marjoram, and garlic. A cozy dinner for two that's on the table in 30 minutes.

Chicken and wild rice soup with shiitake mushrooms, shallots, and fresh parsley in a clear chicken broth. A lighter, brothier version than cream-based diner soups. Uses leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey.

Texas mopping sauce with strong black coffee, ketchup, Worcestershire, and butter for basting barbecue meats. A bold, savory baste that builds smoky bark layer by layer.

Grilled lobster dinner pairs halved lobster, husk-steamed corn, and littleneck clams over the fire, basted with garlic-oregano herb butter. A full New England seafood feast on the grill.