Thin and Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies

01/28/2025

I learned two things during our chocolate chip cookie research project. First, there are far more variations than I had imagined—cakey, soft and chewy, crisp and chewy, and thin and crispy, to name a few. Second, searching for the “ultimate” cookie is a fool’s errand; everyone has their own favorite…

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Seven Layer Cake

01/21/2025

Seven Layer Cake is closely related to the Hungarian classic Dobos Torte, both of which are rooted in Central and Eastern European baking traditions.  Dobos Torte, was created by pastry chef József Dobos in 1884 and quickly became a symbol of refined European patisserie. Both cakes consist of alternating layers…

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Crumble-topped fruit pie on glass plate.

Ginger Pear-Cranberry Streusel Pie

11/13/2024

I was looking for a new and unique Thanksgiving pie recipe when I came across this Ginger Pear-Cranberry Streusel Pie in a book from the chefs at America’s Test Kitchen. These are the people who will try a recipe twenty times to get it right. And, in this case, they…

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Apple tart with custard sauce and mint.

Individual Apple Galettes

10/17/2024

Fruit galettes have so much going for them — they’re easy to make, have a rustic charm, and can be any size or shape you desire. Turning last year’s Apple Galette into these delightful Individual Apple Galettes is simply a matter of rolling out the pastry dough, cutting it into…

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Almond-topped cake sliced into four.

Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich)

09/13/2024

Bee Sting Cake, or Bienenstich in German, is a unique and absolutely delicious cake made from sweet yeast dough topped with caramelized almonds. After baking, the cake is split in half and filled with a custard filling. I first experienced Bee Sting Cake while working at Patisserie Conversation in Philadelphia,…

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Chocolate birthday cake with frosting.

Birthday Cake

08/26/2024

The one thing that remains part of our birthday celebrations as we progress through life is a cake. And a homemade version is a special, personal, gift to the birthday person. Whether a simple American layer cake or an elaborate version such as the one here, it sends the same…

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Delicious currant scones on a plate.

Orange Currant Scones

08/07/2024

These scones were a constant at the Chilmark Epicure stand at the West Tisbury Farmers Market in early 1990’s along with jars of homemade jam, brandied cherries, and vanilla bean peaches. The scones, in cellophane bags tied with raffia would be gone within an hour after opening. This is an…

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Almond-topped baked goods on wood.

Sour Cherry Almond Crunch Cake

07/26/2024

This simple and absolutely delicious coffee cake is another wonderful use of sour cherries. While the fresh season for these gems is behind us, good quality bottled sour cherries work fine in this recipe. Whole milk buttermilk provides tenderness and its distinctive tang. Sour Cherry Almond Crunch Coffee Cake is…

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