Recipes with vanilla extract

Chocolate contains compounds believed to boost serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. Among them are theobromine and caffeine, which can increase alertness and trigger a pleasurable feeling similar to the natural high after exercise. Another group of compounds, called flavonoids, has been found to benefit heart health. Studies suggest they improve blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels.

Hazelnut spritz cookies pressed into delicate rings, baked until pale gold, and dipped in dark chocolate. A European-style holiday cookie for cookie trays and gift tins.

Texas-style sheath cake (sheet cake) baked on a cookie sheet with cocoa, buttermilk, and a full half pound of butter. Thin, fudgy, and frosted while still warm. A potluck legend.

No-egg bran muffins made with a make-ahead batter that keeps up to 3 months in the fridge. Buttermilk and a double dose of bran cereal deliver tender crumb and serious fiber. Bake fresh muffins on demand.

Double chocolate oatmeal cookies: melted chocolate and chocolate chips in a chewy oat dough, rolled in powdered sugar for a crackly crinkle top. Rich, fudgy, and easy to make.

Cheesy Ham, Bacon, and Sausage Stuffed French Toast recipe

Stovetop popcorn popped with a real vanilla bean right in the hot oil, then tossed with melted butter, sugar, and scraped vanilla seeds. Sweet, fragrant, and wildly addictive.

Pear and almond pancakes with syrup-soaked Bartletts and slivered nuts pressed right into the batter, finished with warm fig-maple syrup. A weekend breakfast with real brunch-menu flair.

Overnight French toast casserole assembled the night before and baked in the morning. Bread soaks in a lemon-vanilla egg custard and puffs up golden and fluffy without any stovetop work.

Glazed chocolate mint cookies: thin, crisp rolled cookies made with melted mint chocolate chips in the dough, then half-dipped in a glossy mint chocolate glaze. Like a homemade Thin Mint.

German honey spice cookies rolled into bite-sized balls with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, mace, and black pepper, then dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze. A traditional Pfeffernusse-style holiday cookie.

Frozen mint cream pie with melted marshmallows, creme de menthe, and whipped cream in a chocolate cookie crust. No-bake, make-ahead, and topped with grated chocolate.

Foolproof apple custard pie recipe with tender sliced apples. The apples and custard are cooked stovetop to ensure creamy results.

No-bake peanut brownies with graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, chopped peanuts, and a melted chocolate chip frosting. A fudgy, crunchy treat that sets in the fridge in just 1 hour.

Change the look of your brownies with this simple recipe that will have your kids begging to try one!

Besitos de coco are traditional Latin American coconut macaroons made with fresh ground coconut, egg yolks, brown sugar, and butter. Golden, chewy, and rich with real coconut flavor. Little kisses worth fighting over.