Recipes with margarine

Wholesome banana walnut muffins with whole wheat flour for nutty depth and tender texture. Brown sugar and ripe bananas bring natural sweetness without going overboard.

Vegan potato mushroom soup with scallions, onions, fresh thyme, and a soy sauce umami boost. Brothy, light, and finished with parsley and a surprise diced apple for sweetness.

Pumpkin gingerbread mini loaves spiced with cinnamon and fresh ginger root, sweetened with molasses, and topped with a walnut-sugar streusel. Makes four small loaves, freezes for up to six months, ideal for holiday gifting.

Whole wheat cinnamon fruit scones: tender, lightly sweet scones spiced with cinnamon and clove, studded with dried figs, dates or cherries. Nutty whole-grain flavor and a golden, egg-washed top for breakfast or tea.

Cocoa brownies crowned with a glossy fudge ganache made from chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Two-layer chocolate dessert that yields 40 squares for crowds and bake sales.

Chewy coconut oatmeal cookies with rolled oats, shredded coconut, and a mix of brown and white sugars for sweetness and caramel notes. Pantry-staple cookies ready in 25 minutes.

Bennigan's potato soup copycat with diced potatoes, ham and chicken stock, and a roux-thickened milk finish. The Irish-pub-style creamy potato soup that turned a chain restaurant into a cult favorite.

Rich and fudgy brownies with a delightful frosting. You'd never know they contained zucchini!

Cornmeal-raisin scones with a tender crumb and a subtle cornbread crunch from yellow cornmeal. Sweet golden raisins and tangy buttermilk make these drop scones taste like Southern morning baking.

Classic chocolate chip cookies made with a margarine-and-shortening fat blend for crisp edges and chewy centers. Pulled slightly underdone for the softest middle. Bakes a full batch in under 30 minutes.

Simit (Turkish Croissant with Sesame Seeds) recipe

Norwegian heart-shaped waffles (vafler): cardamom-spiced buttermilk waffles served Scandinavian-style as dessert with berry jam, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries.

Apple orange spice muffins lightened the Weight Watchers way with whipped egg whites for lift, chopped apples for natural sweetness, and bright orange zest. Warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove perfume every bite.

Made this tropical puff pancake for breakfast today, and made it healthier with whole wheat flour and just egg whites (see the linked recipe below). I used fresh pineapples to make the pineapple sauce, and it was delicious with pancake.

Mocha frosting: cocoa, instant coffee, butter, and powdered sugar whipped into a silky chocolate-coffee glaze. Pipes, spreads, and stays put on cakes, brownies, and cupcakes.

Applesauce oatmeal muffins with a crunchy oat crumble topping. Made with unsweetened applesauce and skim milk for a lighter breakfast bake, finished with cinnamon and brown sugar streusel.