10,000 bitter recipes

Famous peach pound cake folds fresh chopped peaches and sour cream into a buttery, vanilla-almond pound cake batter baked in a tube pan until golden and tender-crumbed.

Studded with chunks of maraschino cherries, pecans, and shredded coconut, this cookie is a Christmas (or anytime) favorite. Freezes very well.

Lemon loaf cake with butter, cream cheese, lemon yogurt, and a whisper of ginger, finished with a tart lemon glaze. A bright, dense loaf with bakery-counter softness from yogurt and cream cheese.

This impossible chicken and broccoli pie has incredibly delicious flavor and texture. It's always a big hit at the dinner table.

Chocolate cherry cake from a doctored devils food box mix with cherry pie filling and almond extract. Topped with a poured chocolate icing for a moist sheet cake that beats homemade.

Coral chocolate chip cookies with both white and brown sugar, optional pecans, and a chilled-dough trick for thicker, chewier cookies. A classic recipe with bakery-style results.

Whole wheat prune bread for the bread machine. Hearty fiber-rich loaf sweetened with prunes and molasses, dump-and-go method with no kneading or proofing.

Buttermilk waffles with raspberry sauce trade syrup for a bright purple-red puree spiked with orange zest. The tang of buttermilk and lift from baking powder give crisp-edged waffles a fluffy interior.

Just by dipping the top into melted chocolate makes these already delicious tails taste even better. Nothing can go wrong with the combination of butter and chocolate. They are wonderful Christmas cookies every year, and your family or friends will be asking you for these cookies every Christmas.

Sharp cheddar biscuits with butter and milk, baked hot for crisp golden tops and a tender, cheesy crumb. Six ingredients, one bowl. Best straight from the oven, split warm.

I add a couple of teaspoons of multi-colored nonpareils to make them a bit more festive.

Spa-style buttermilk pancakes with whipped egg whites for cloud-like lift and a whole wheat pastry flour boost. Lighter, fluffier, and ready in 30 minutes.

A friend gave me this recipe, it's a layer cake, cake + blueberry + sour cream. This dessert is a huge hit every time I make it.

No-bake rum-raisin balls with dark rum-soaked oats, cocoa, golden raisins, walnuts, and coconut rolled in sugar. A boozy, fudgy holiday treat that keeps for 10 days or freezes for months.

Cocoa-based brownies cut into star shapes for parties and patriotic occasions. A blend of butter and shortening keeps them tender and chewy with a deep chocolate edge.

Pure cream of tomato soup is the from-scratch classic that puts the canned version to shame. A buttery roux, fresh milk, and a baking soda trick keep it from curdling. The grilled cheese soulmate.