793 crackling recipes

Angus Barn chocolate chess pie copies the famous Raleigh steakhouse dessert: rich, fudgy filling baked into a crackly-topped pie that's somewhere between brownie and pudding. Seven ingredients, no fancy steps.

This very dense chocolate cake is named after the famous California fault becaus it forms big cracks as it bakes and cools.

This relish is based on a prize-winning English recipe of more than a generation ago. It is less sweet than traditional chutneys; most of its sweetness comes not from sugar, but from apples, dates, and parsnips. I generally use Winesap apples but any well-flavored, crisp eating apple will do.

Breton brittle, also known as Christmas crack: layered stone-ground wheat crackers under a brown sugar butter toffee, topped with melted chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Five ingredients, irresistibly snappable.

Grilled steak strips meet a tangy homemade Caesar dressing with Parmesan, blue cheese, and crunchy croutons. This steak Caesar salad is a quick 40-minute main dish that turns a classic side into a full meal.

Traditional New York cheesecake with zwieback crust, cream cheese filling enriched with heavy cream and lemon zest. Baked at high heat then low, cooled in the oven for crack-free perfection.

Roasted beef tenderloin crusted in cracked peppercorns, Dijon mustard, butter, and parsley, sliced thin and served with a creamy horseradish-mustard sauce. A dinner-party showstopper.

Old-fashioned sugar cookies with a dual-sugar dough of granulated and powdered sugar, flattened with a sugar-dipped glass. Tender, crackly-topped, and buttery.

Succulent chicken breast is served on top of salad greens, fresh herbs and gorgonzola cheese tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette.

Clare's meringue roulade: a soft, marshmallowy meringue rolled around whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and ripe mango. A crackly-crusted, gluten-free showstopper dessert.

Old-fashioned popcorn balls made with molasses, corn syrup, and butter cooked to hard crack stage. A five-ingredient treat kids can help shape with buttered hands.

Old-fashioned Bundt pan cheesecake with ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream topped with a gorgeous strawberry glaze. Baked low and slow for a dense, creamy, crack-free classic.

Herman coffee cake puts the famous sweet starter to work in a quick raisin-and-nut bake. A friendship cake classic with subtle tang, crackly topping, and tender crumb.

Tender pork chops simmered in V8 juice with dried basil and cracked black pepper until fork-tender. Just 5 ingredients and one pan for an easy, diabetic-friendly weeknight dinner.

Low-fat marbled pumpkin cheesecake swirls spiced pumpkin into a creamy vanilla filling over a gingersnap crust. Pureed cottage cheese keeps it light while a water bath gives a silky, crack-free top.

Seared bay scallops glazed with a reduced vermouth and lemon sauce, finished with fresh dill and cracked pepper. A light, elegant 20-minute seafood dish with bright, clean flavors.