Name: Cranberry Cognac Trifle
Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients: 12 large egg yolks; 2 1/4 cups sugar; 6 tablespoons whole milk; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 6 large egg whites; Cranberry jam; Cognac syrupepi:recipelink; Rich custardepi:recipelink; 1 1/3 cups chilled heavy cream; 1/4 cup confectioners sugar; 2 tablespoons Cognac or other brandy; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla; Garnish: sugared cranberries and mint leaves; 3 (15- by 10- by 1/2-inch) baking pans and a 3 1/2-quart straight-sided glass trifle or soufflé dish

Image may contain Confectionery Food Sweets Plant Dessert and Produce

Cranberry Cognac Trifle

This impressive dessert is the sum of many parts that can each be made several days in advance. Assemble the trifle the day before serving to allow the cake to absorb the custard and the flavors to fully develop.

Active time: 2 1/2 hr Start to finish: 13 hr

Cooks' notes:

• Resist the temptation to bake more than 1 cake layer at a time; layers will bake extremely unevenly. • Cake layers can be baked 2 days ahead of assembling and chilled, wrapped well, or frozen up to 1 month. • Trifle can be assembled (before topping with cream) up to 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

Recipe notes

Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce

A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon

This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.

Classic French Vinaigrette

Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.

Super Seedy Power Cookies

As energizing as an energy bar, with a much simpler ingredient list.

Speedy Chicken Stroganoff

This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.

Meatball Tagine

Warming harissa and cinnamon, briny olives, and sweet dried fruit make up the flavorful base for this weeknight-friendly take on tagine.