For those unfamiliar with the allure of chiffon pie, let me enlighten you: Chiffon is a classic pie known for its light-as-air texture thanks to a hardworking combination of unflavored gelatin and whipped eggs. Here it gets an autumnal makeover by marrying the flavors of pumpkin pie with chiffon’s cloud-like texture. Eggs get whisked with … Read more
My mother is many things, including being a gifted cook, but she is decidedly not a baker. Her roll call of desserts has remained the same over 30 years: no-bake cheesecake, apple crisp (always made in collaboration with my dad), and lemon drizzle cake. The hotly requested cake was baked in a tube pan and, … Read more
Caramel cake is hyper-regional, an icon of the American South thought to have originated in the Mississippi Delta region. For the uninitiated, picture a cloud-soft yellow cake encased in a golden frosting with the taste and texture of fudge, the kind you might buy on holiday in a seaside town. It’s the frosting that gives … Read more
The velvety texture of these individual caramel flans will end any occasion with an elegant accent. A globe-trotting dish with roots in ancient Rome, this creamy custard can take several forms, depending on where in the world you are. This sweet version (yes, some flans are savory) follows the style of Spanish flan recipes, calling … Read more
The sun is out, the birds are singing, and there’s a sweet scent in the air. Strawberry season is officially upon us, which means that these strawberry muffins should be at the top of your to-bake list, right along with the requisite strawberry shortcake. Showcasing spring’s finest jewels, these muffins are chock-full of strawberry flavor … Read more
With its distinct multilayered presentation, Smith Island cake might just be the most flashy regional cake in the United States. Named after a group of three Island communities on the Chesapeake Bay (Tylerton, Ewell, and Rhodes Point) collectively called Smith Island, the layer cake is said to have been baked since the 1800s as a … Read more
If the last time you had a chocolate cupcake was at a childhood birthday party, it’s high time to bake a batch. This chocolate cupcake recipe is ridiculously easy—the batter comes together in about 5 minutes, no equipment required. But it delivers big on flavor thanks to a healthy dose of salt, vanilla extract, and … Read more
It’s tough to describe exactly what a caramel roll is, yet every Midwesterner seems to know. It’s not a sticky bun, and it’s not just a cinnamon roll either. A caramel roll is a large cinnamon bun that is soft, plush, buttery, cinnamon-y, drenched in caramel, and sometimes includes nuts. It’s distinctively pronounced car-mull (not … Read more
Step 1 Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°. Scatter 1 cup coarsely chopped raw pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and 1 cup (packed) unsweetened coconut flakes on another rimmed baking sheet. Toast coconuts and pecans, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back and stirring after … Read more
Derby pie is a nut pie (traditionally walnut, often pecan) that’s similar to a classic pecan pie except that it’s studded with chocolate chips and flavored with a heavy glug of bourbon. It was invented in 1954 by Walter and Leaudra Kern at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky. Sticky-sweet and gooey, yet sturdy enough … Read more