Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Design Your Own Gingerbread House

Nothing says “Christmas!” like an old-fashioned gingerbread house, and this year, we’re going all out! These cookies are the ideal canvas for all sorts of decorative touches. The dough can be made and baked off in advance and stored in an airtight container until ready to decorate or finish. Use […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Desserts for Your Passover Table

Baking for Passover involves its own unique set of challenges, as during the Passover period, observers do not consume items that are chametz—that is, any product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has come into contact with water and allowed to “rise.” Just about anything made from […]

Cookies

Diabetes-Friendly Pecan Cookies

Makes 22 cookies Ingredients 4 ounces chopped pecans (about 1 cup) 4 ounces (1 stick) butter 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup sucralose granulated sweetener 1 1/2 teaspoons brewed coffee, cooled 1 cup white whole wheat flour, sifted 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons granulated sugar […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Fruit Powders for Colorful Fruit-Flavored Desserts

You probably buy fresh fruit, and you may love the sweet and chewy dried fruits—but do you ever buy freeze-dried fruit? Unlike chewy dried cranberries and apricots, freeze-dried fruit is crisp and crunchy with an ultra-concentrated flavor. They are a great snack, but we love them for their baking and […]

Cookies

Gingerbread

Makes enough for 1 gingerbread house or about 3 dozen cookies, depending on size This is a very mild gingerbread dough, great for kids and those who don’t typically love molasses-heavy gingerbread. You can use this recipe to make a decorated house or any shape cookie you like. Ingredients Flourless […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Holiday Hygge

If there has ever been a time to embrace the Scandinavian concept of “hygge,” now is certainly it. Hygge, pronounced hue-gah, is a Danish word that generally means cozy, intimate, or special, and it is used to identify small moments of comfort and contentment in the everyday. It can’t be […]

Cookies

Iced and Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cutter These lightly spiced brown sugar cookies are just the thing for your Pinterest-worthy Halloween (or Thanksgiving!) party. Easy to make, easy to glaze, and even easier to enjoy, they’ll look perfect on a platter alongside warm mulled cider […]

Cookies, Family Fun, Free Recipes

Linzer Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies Ingredients 3/4 lb (3 sticks) unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch salt 2 eggs 3 cups cake flour 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 cups fine cake crumbs or plain dry bread crumbs 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 1/2 cups […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Make Rugelach at Home for a Hanukkah Treat

Rugelach are the perfect little treat to have any day of the year, but they are a must-have at Hanukkah! Cookies made by rolling dough around a slightly-sweet filling like jam, chocolate, or even poppy seeds, rugelach are a favorite Jewish tradition. And what’s even better is that these cookies […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Cheesecake

Deliciously dense cheesecake is a cross between custard, pie, and cake. It can seem troublesome—from cracking tops to dry crusts—but with a great recipe (we happen to like ours quite a bit!) and some patience, you can make a perfect cheesecake each time. 1. Making a crumb crust Crumb crusts […]

Cookies

Mudslide Cookies

Makes 24 large cookies Ingredients 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon powdered instant coffee 1 tablespoon boiling water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 7 oz unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted […]