Baking

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The big bowl and tireless motor of a standing mixer take the heavy work out of preparing these tender brioche loaves.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 5 1/4 hr

Sue Ellison of Edgewater, Colorado, writes: "Although I play guitar and piano, and have worked for more than 20 years as an elementary-school music teacher, at this point music is just my job; cooking is my passion. It's an interest I share with my daughter, Hannah. We do a phenomenal amount of cooking together. In fact, I think she learned how to count using chocolate chips, standing on a stool next to me at the kitchen counter while I baked chocolate croissants." Roasted pine nuts add a southwestern accent to this lightly sweetened granola. Once the granola has cooled, leave it in large chunks for a snack or crumble it into bits for a cereal topping. Either way, it will keep up to one week if stored airtight.

This bread gets even better if stored for a day. Enjoy it toasted and buttered for breakfast.

The name banoffee plays on the combination of a banana filling and a topping of coffee-flavored whipped cream. This inspired dessert comes from pastry chef Abigail Langlas at Alan Wong’s award-winning restaurant in Honolulu.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Sambuca, the anise-flavored liqueur often paired with coffee, goes equally well with chocolate — especially in these moist, cake-like, pine-nut-topped brownies.

Make the potato sourdough starter for this tender, crusty bread one day ahead.

(Caramel Walnut Fudge Bars)

(Savory Stuffed Pastries)