405 crust recipes

Pretzel bread buns, soft deli-style rolls with a chewy, mahogany pretzel crust from a quick baking soda bath. Bread machine dough makes them easy, ready for burgers and sandwiches.

Light bundt cake with layers of cinnamon apples swirled through applesauce batter. Orange juice and nutmeg brighten the crumb, while a cinnamon sugar crust bakes on top.

Fool-proof bread machine French bread: just flour, water, salt and yeast for a crisp-crusted, chewy-crumb loaf. The minimalist bread that never fails. Endlessly customizable.

Buttermilk biscuits in miniature form with a flaky butter crust and tender buttermilk crumb. A small-batch recipe perfect for two-person households or fancy hors d'oeuvres bases.

Pan-seared scallops with fennel over soba noodles plates golden-crusted scallops on Japanese buckwheat noodles in a Pernod and orange pan sauce. East-meets-West restaurant plating at home.

A classic creamy pumpkin pie that is low in fat, but without sacrificing any of the rich taste and silky texture.

Pinto bean casserole topped with a cayenne-spiked cornmeal pone crust made with yogurt instead of butter. Southern comfort that's hearty, budget-friendly, and nearly vegan.

Chipotle cornbread bakes in a hot cast iron skillet with puréed chipotles, applesauce, and buttermilk for smoky heat and a crisp crust. Low-fat Southwestern twist on classic cornbread.

Lemon meringue pie from cooking school is the textbook version with a hand-rolled crust, cornstarch-and-flour curd, and a stable French meringue sealed to the crust. Detailed technique guarantees no weeping.

Fresh berry scones cooked on a griddle, not in the oven. A traditional Scottish method that gives these blueberry scones a golden crust on all sides and a tender, steamy center.

Almost whole wheat baguettes split the flour 50/50 between bread and whole wheat for a chewy crust and tender crumb. Hand-shaped loaves with classic slashed tops, baked at home.

Asian-style baked noodle casserole layered with stir-fried vegetables, creamy white sauce, and a golden breadcrumb crust. A fusion comfort dish that transforms simple ingredients into something special.

Authentic Italian bread is a two-day, two-loaf recipe built on an overnight starter with barley malt and a single teaspoon of yeast. Crackling crust, open chewy crumb, and the deep wheaty flavor of slow fermentation.

Homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie pre-cooks a tapioca and cornstarch syrup before tossing with fresh strawberries and rhubarb, then bakes under a flaky crust. The classic spring fruit pairing without a soggy bottom.

These lovely maple syrup roasted sweet potatoes are tasty with a nice crust to the skin, not mushy at all. The slightly tart but sweet carmelized exterior is a refreshing change to this classic fall vegetable.

Bone-in smoked ham rubbed with chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cinnamon, then finished with a sticky peach preserves and orange juice glaze. A spice-crusted holiday ham that steals the show.