Baking

A quick spin in the food processor is all it takes to mix up these rustic whole-wheat crackers.

Creamy chocolate ganache, sweetened with earthy molasses, and crunchy candied pecans add texture and richness to this eminently shareable dessert.

Capture the holiday spirit with this warm spiced cake, packed with nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove.

The trick of making an espresso extract to add to the dough is a good one to know. If you want to use it for other things—a spoonful is good in brownies, chocolate sauces or even in chocolate chip cookies—make more than you need now and keep it in the refrigerator, where it will be fine for months. Of course these are good with coffee and coffee drinks, but they’re surprisingly nice with milk and not at all bad with cognac.

Making Stollen is not for the faint of heart. Avoiding it altogether because excellent store-bought Stollen abounds is further abetted by the invention of Stollenkonfekt, bite-size chunks of spiced, tender Quark dough studded with almonds and raisins and thickly cloaked in vanilla-scented confectioners’ sugar. They may be a relatively recent development in the world of Christstollen, which dates back to the Middle Ages, but they more than make up for their youth. In other words, want the rich, buttery, spicy flavor of Stollen without the work of a yeasted dough and the weeks of impatiently waiting for the loaves to be ready? If so, Stollenkonfekt is the thing for you.

This recipe makes decadent chocolate cake and delicious chocolate cupcakes. Don't skip the silky frosting, it's the best part!

Who doesn’t love banana bread? This one is just sweet enough, with fabulous crunch if you add walnuts and coconut, as I always do. There’s no better solution for over-the-hill bananas, and the batter comes together in less than 10 minutes. I’ve been making this recipe — created by my late dear friend Sherry — for almost fifty years; it’s incredibly reliable.

Attention pecan pie lovers! Here's a classic recipe using a classic American brand.

This simple, four-ingredient pie has a bright and tangy yet sweet and creamy filling.

The most iconic chocolate chip cookie is crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and loaded with melty morsels of chocolate chips throughout.

Set out a plate of these sweetly spiced cookies and watch them vanish fast.

A healthy dose of olive oil gives this rosemary-infused bread a rich, moist crumb and pale golden hue; it also helps it keep a little better than other European-style breads. Among other things, this is a wonderful and unconventional loaf for sandwiches.

These bars are as refreshing as an icy glass of lemonade, and perfect for entertaining, potlucks, or picnics.

This moist pound cake is the most requested Swans Down recipe of all time. Whether it's your first time trying it or a perennial favorite, the fork-tender cake is unforgettable.