• Coconut cookies with lemon curd filling and fresh flowers on a kitchen counter
    Baking

    Coconut Cookies with Lemon Curd Filling

    Springtime calls for sunny desserts that brighten the season’s celebrations. With zesty lemon curd sandwiched between toasty coconut cookies, this recipe hits all the bright and lightly sweet notes we need this time of year. Beyond these cookies, you will find so many uses for the lemon curd itself. Serve it with fresh fruit, dollop it on a slice of pound cake, fill cupcakes, or enjoy it by the spoonful. Much as the winter holidays wouldn’t be complete without a linzer cookie on the dessert table, these coconut sandwich cookies have become a spring staple in my home. Flower cut-outs allow the sunny color of the filling to pop through.…

  • Pine nuts cookie bars
    Baking

    Pine Nut Cookie Bars

    Festive ingredients and a simple baking method make for the perfect holiday cookie. With pine nuts in caramel topping a shortbread base, these cookie bars satisfy the need for something golden and toasty on the dessert table. Still tender when baked, the nuts lend a delicate texture and their nuanced, buttery flavor. Whether you’re making Christmas cookie boxes, looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, or sharing dessert at a holiday gathering, think about the shape of your cookie bars before serving. They can be cut in a variety of ways with a knife or cookie cutter and always come out looking like lacy gold ornaments. Just be sure to save…

  • Fruitcake blondies
    Baking

    Fruitcake Blondies

    Fruitcake blondies made with brown butter, nuts, and dried fruit soaked in brandy are inspired by the classic cake while having a flavor all their own.   Packed with festive ingredients, these bars have the toastiness of butter that has developed deep color and rich flavor similar to hazelnut, one of the nuts I recommend adding to your batter.  Once you begin making brown butter, you will find uses for it in plenty of sweet and savory dishes. This season I have been sharing cookie recipes during my holiday baking classes in which we make festive shortbreads, linzer cookies filled with jewel-like jams, and plenty of others.  Alongside these festive treats…

  • Raspberry white chocolate chip cookies
    Baking

    Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

    With rustic texture, white chocolate chips, and sweet-tart fresh raspberries, these cookies have so many reasons to be loved.  I was inspired to create them as a seasonal Valentine’s Day update to my traditional chocolate chip cookies. Admittedly, I indulge in a deep dark chocolate brownie on a regular basis, but I also appreciate the sweetness and texture of white chocolate, which melts perfectly in a cookie.  I even drizzle some on my heart-shaped pistachio cookies.  The raspberries add brightness to the brown sugar and oat flavors already laced throughout the cookie for a downright delicious way to celebrate the season of love and loveliness. Each day leading up to…

  • Heart shaped Valentine's Day cookies
    Baking

    Pistachio Cookies with Chocolate and Strawberry

    Dressed up with white and dark chocolate drizzles plus crushed dried strawberries, these pistachio cookies incorporate the classic trio of Neapolitan dessert flavors.  The cookies are delicious on their own, but if you’re in the mood for pistachio plus a little extra, consider adding the drizzle and the naturally bright and tangy bits of strawberry.   The melted chocolate helps the strawberries adhere and lend their vibrant color while keeping the ingredients natural. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas, offer a plate of festive homemade cookies instead of traditional chocolates.  Cut them into hearts as seen here or pick another shape that speaks to you or your loved ones on…