Simmer

This is another variation of Swiss meringue buttercream, only you cream the butter before incorporating it into the beaten egg-white mixture; caramel is added at the end, resulting in a buttercream that is at once rich and ethereal.

It’s no secret that nearly everyone at Martha Stewart Living—especially Martha—loves meringue, and these billowy puffs, with their distinctive peaks and berries-and-cream filling, illustrate why. The cupcakes need to bake for about three hours, so plan accordingly. And avoid making meringues on a humid day, as they will never become crisp.

The lovely white shade of this frosting belies the bright mint flavor, achieved by first steeping fresh mint in milk when making the custard base, and then adding extract at the end.

Before adding the maple syrup to the beaten eggs, it should be heated to 240 degrees. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can test by adding a drop of syrup to cold water; it should immediately form a soft ball. Be sure to buy only pure maple syrup, not a brand labeled “pancake syrup” or “maple-flavored syrup,” which is actually corn syrup flavored with maple extract. Pure maple syrup is graded according to color and flavor; grade B has a robust flavor that works well in baking and other recipes.

Candied orange slices top fragrant vanilla-orange cupcakes; a circle of tiny piped buttercream dots frames each slice. Feel free to garnish with other candied citrus, such as lemons or blood oranges.

Contrary to its name, pastry cream—a classic custard filling for cakes, tarts, pastries, and other baked goods—contains no cream, only milk. Be sure to bring the mixture to a full boil to activate the cornstarch and ensure proper thickening.

A high proportion of lemon juice gives curd its intense flavor. As an acid, the juice also prevents the yolks from curdling when heated (unlike when making pastry cream, which requires the extra step of tempering). You can substitute an equal amount of juice from other citrus, such as lime, grapefruit, or blood orange.

Perfect for a swanky First Night celebration, these stylish treats can be held in one hand while you sip Champagne with the other.

You can make praline from any variety of toasted nuts (preferably blanched or skinless). The Butterscotch Praline Cream Pie features this variation, crushed and folded into the whipped cream and sprinkled over the top.

Pastry cream is the classic filling for French fruit tarts; it can also be folded into other fillings, such as whipped cream or the rich ricotta custard in the Neapolitan Easter Pie on page 253. Like many other custards, it is thickened with eggs and cornstarch; the mixture must be brought to a full boil to activate the starch and set properly. We use a whole vanilla bean, but you can substitute vanilla extract in its place.

Use this technique to make other candied citrus slices, such as lime, orange, or kumquat.