Chef's Blog

Sunday Meal Prep: Cookie Edition

This week, we’re borrowing some time from our Sunday meal prep to sneak a few treats into our cookie jars and freezers. Follow our lead and load your freezer with your family’s traditional can’t-miss cookies. Be sure you make your to-do list now so you can relish in the satisfaction […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Swedish-style Cardamom-Cinnamon Buns

Makes 16 buns These buns are inspired by the ubiquitous cardamom bun found all over Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden. They are less sweet than American-style cinnamon buns, with more tender dough than filling. This makes them the perfect morning accompaniment to a hot cup of coffee, though we like them […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Sweet or Savory Christmas Breakfast

You may know what you’re cooking for Christmas dinner, but have you thought yet about what you and your family will enjoy that morning? Whether you love sweet, savory, or a little bit of both, we have a few ideas you might like to try. Some can be made the […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Main Dishes

Sweet Potato, Sausage, and Kale Strata

Makes 8 to 10 servings A strata is a kitchen-sink breakfast dish that is made with egg, bread, cheese, and virtually anything else you would like! Like any good brunch recipe, stratas are best if made the day ahead, meaning less work in the morning—and that’s always a good thing. […]

Cookies

Tahini Kiss Cookies

Makes about 32 cookies These tahini cookies are inspired by the classic peanut butter kiss cookie, with the slightly more savory (and nut-free!) flavor of tahini. We used semi-sweet chocolate to offset the sweetness in the cookies, but you can use whatever chocolate you like best. Ingredients 1 cup tahini […]

Beverages and Cocktails, Pantry

Tart Cherries in Bourbon

Makes about 5 cups These easy to prepare cherries are a staple of a well-stocked home bar, but they also make amazing gifts. Use the cherries in your cocktails, but don’t forget the flavorful brandy for drinks, soaking cakes, or rehydrating raisins and other dried fruits for holiday baking. Ingredients […]

Pies and Tarts

The CIA Apple Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie They say if you love somebody, you give them diamonds—but we think if you truly love someone, you bake them a pie. This classic apple pie is a crowd-pleaser no matter what table it lands on, and friends and family will taste the love in each […]

Desserts

Turkish Delight

Makes one 9- by 13-inch slab In the classic children’s books The Chronicles of Narnia, a little boy loves Turkish Delight so much that he trades his family for it. No need to swap your family or friends—they will surely thank you for sharing this delight with them. Any manufactured […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Using Meringue Powder for Royal Icing

Royal icing is a decorative icing made from egg whites and confectioners’ sugar. In professional bakeshops, it is used to decorate cakes, pastries, and candies, but at home, it is primarily used to decorate rolled out sugar or gingerbread cookies. We explain how to make and use traditional royal icing […]