A clever diet quiche with a fiber-rich bran-egg crust and a silky blended tofu filling loaded with asparagus, mushrooms, and onion. Low-calorie, low-fat, and high in protein. No pastry dough needed.
Falafel in pita pockets: cumin and coriander-spiced chickpea patties stuffed into warm pita bread. A Middle Eastern street food staple made quickly at home.
Jumbles are old-fashioned filled sandwich cookies, two rolled rounds enclosing a smear of grape jelly with three peek-a-boo windows cut into the top. Vintage pantry treat.
Lighter orange-scented cheesecake made with cottage cheese and Neufchatel, baked on a cinnamon vanilla wafer crust and crowned with fresh strawberries and orange sections. Brighter than classic.
Huevos rancheros with fried eggs on corn tortillas topped with refried beans, Monterey Jack, and fresh salsa with avocado and jalapeno. A 10-minute Mexican breakfast.
Thin, crispy oatmeal lace cookies with orange zest and shredded coconut. Made with lard for extra-crisp edges that spread paper-thin during baking.
Cake flour muffins with nutmeg, rolled in melted butter and cinnamon sugar while warm. They taste like old-fashioned cake doughnuts in muffin form.
Classic cocoa layer cake with a tender crumb from the creaming method, ready for your favorite frosting. Swap water for coffee to deepen the chocolate flavor. A reliable two-layer cake in under an hour.
Mom said we had to have this even if Melissa didn't send it in. She's right, there is no way to each just one piece. So....easy.
Golden, buttery scones studded with raisins or blueberries, baked to a crisp top and tender center. A bakery-scale recipe that scales down easily for home baking.
Orange eggnog with a cooked custard base, frozen orange juice concentrate, and floating meringue clouds. A citrusy holiday punch bowl drink for a crowd.
Soft chocolate drop cookies with cream cheese baked right into the dough and crunchy walnuts in every bite. The cream cheese keeps them tender and slightly tangy for days.
Macaroon jam slices made with ground walnuts and egg whites, shaped into logs with a jam-filled channel. A European-style flourless cookie with apricot or raspberry jam.
Triple-layered no-bake pie with chocolate butter filling, a creamy peanut butter cream cheese center, and roasted peanuts. Like a giant Reese's cup in a pie crust.
Peanut butter chocolate chip pound cakes made with buttermilk for a tender crumb, loaded with mini chocolate chips. Bakes into four mini loaves with rich, nutty flavor.
Honey lemon sponge cake is a take on Japanese castella (kasutera): a tall, springy, honey-sweetened sponge brightened with lemon. Whipped eggs alone give it lift, no butter needed, for a delicate, fine-grained crumb.