Dessert Recipes

In a Cretan zacharoplasteion (sweet shop), we were so intrigued by these coconut pastries (among the newer breed) that I tried them at home. You can expect the potato pastry to be a bit difficult to manipulate, and you can also anticipate compliments on the results. Attractive and tasty, not excessively sweet.

Rainbow ice cream cake layers jello-coated angel food cake pieces with strawberry, lime and orange-pineapple flavors, fruit and vanilla ice cream. A showstopping no-bake frozen dessert.

Anise-scented raisin biscotti with walnuts, lemon zest, and orange zest. Butter-based dough double-baked until crisp. A traditional Italian dunking cookie with citrus and spice.

Whole-grain oatmeal raisin cookies sweetened with honey and a whole ground orange. No butter, no refined sugar, naturally vegan-friendly with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Rasgulla, the classic Bengali cheese ball dessert of spongy homemade chenna simmered in light sugar syrup until pillowy and sweet. Four ingredients, big payoff.

Rasomadhuri, Indian fried cheese balls made with ricotta, milk powder, and cardamom, soaked 24 hours in sugar syrup. A traditional sweet that melts on your tongue.

Rugelach roll flaky cream cheese dough around apricot preserves, cinnamon-brown-sugar, walnuts, and raisins into bite-sized crescents. A classic Jewish bakery cookie for Hanukkah and Christmas alike.

Three ingredients, zero added sugar, and just 31 calories per serving. Sugar-free strawberry gelatin meets unsweetened applesauce for a fruity, jiggly treat that's diabetic-friendly and satisfying.

Strawberry Jello mold layered with bananas, crushed pineapple, walnuts, and a hidden sour cream layer in the middle. A retro party dessert that sets up firm and slices clean.

Crisp, melt-on-your-tongue meringue cookies loaded with chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Pop them in the oven, turn off the heat, and let them set overnight. Effortless and addictive.

Upside-down chocolate cake layers marshmallows and a cocoa-walnut syrup under boxed devil's food batter, baking into a gooey self-saucing chocolate dessert.

Avocado buttermilk sherbet blends ripe avocado with tangy buttermilk, honey, sugar, and lemon juice into a soft, pale green frozen dessert. Creamy without dairy fat, tart without sour. Naturally vibrant color, no food coloring.

Tangy yogurt and bright lemon zest blend into soft oatmeal cookies with crisp edges, then get showered with powdered sugar for a lighter twist on classic cookies.

A vegan pumpkin pie with a silky tofu-set custard, spiced with cinnamon, ginger and mace and sweetened with molasses, in a flaky from-scratch crust. An egg- and dairy-free holiday classic.

Cookie cutter brownies are firm fudgy bars baked flat, chilled, and stamped into hearts, stars, or letters with regular cookie cutters. The foil-sling method makes lifting and shaping clean every time.

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies loaded with chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate. Butter and shortening create a crisp edge with a soft, nutty center.