Panna cotta is the kind of dessert that looks complicated but is actually incredibly easy to make. Unlike its high-maintenance cousin, crème brûlée, this simple, elegant, easy dessert takes less than 30 minutes to assemble and can rest in the fridge for at least a week before unmolding. With its creamy, slightly jiggly texture, it’s … Read more
A Hawaiian delicacy with Portuguese roots, malasadas are yeasted doughnuts enriched with butter, sugar, and evaporated milk. The key to great malasadas is their fluffy texture, so don’t rush the rise, and make sure your yeast is fresh. The type of yeast you use matters here. If you only have active dry yeast available, you … Read more
Channeling Parisian patisserie for your bake du jour? Give this French buttercream recipe a go. Unlike American buttercream (a simple blend of creamed butter and powdered sugar) French buttercream can be slightly fussy. Both extremely light and exceedingly silky, it falls into the same family as meringue-based Swiss and Italian meringue buttercreams. The crucial difference … Read more
Step 1 Split 1 vanilla bean in half, scrape the seeds out into a small dish, and put the pod in a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan. Add 1 cup (240 g) whole milk and 1 cup (240 g) heavy cream and heat over medium-low heat until just about to simmer. Remove from the heat, cover the … Read more
We won’t lie: A classic Italian meringue buttercream recipe requires some multitasking. You’ll heat a sugar syrup on the stovetop while whipping egg whites to soft peaks, and both must be ready at precisely the same moment. It’s a coordinated dance that many pastry chefs consider a necessary skill. With this short tutorial, you’ll soon … Read more
Creamy, dreamy American buttercream is one of the easiest ways to finish off a cake, build a cookie sandwich, or ice a tray of chocolate chip cookie bars. Bonus: You only need five ingredients and five minutes to make this tried-and-true homemade buttercream frosting recipe. The butteriest buttercream starts with softened butter, so be sure … Read more
Whether you’re a buttercream beginner or cake decorating pro, this straightforward Swiss meringue buttercream recipe will be your new go-to. Made with whipped egg whites, Swiss meringue buttercream is airier and more stable than American buttercream (made by whipping softened butter with powdered sugar) but has a lush mouthfeel that can’t be beat. This silky, … Read more
This easy blueberry compote recipe has infinite applications. Stir it into Greek yogurt with a handful of granola, or spoon it onto crepes, French toast, or waffles. Serve fruit compote alongside a pound cake or cheesecake, or swirl it into vanilla ice cream. Turn it into a silky blueberry sauce by adding a few more … Read more
Perhaps you spotted a scotcheroos recipe on the side of a Rice Krispies box as early as the 1960s. The dessert is still a staple at sleepovers, potlucks, and bake sales throughout the Midwest, especially in North Dakota and Iowa. Most easily described as peanut butter Rice Krispies Treats layered with chocolate and butterscotch, scotcheroos … Read more