Recipe Sifter

Burt Reynolds' red wine beef stew from a 1984 celebrity Christmas book, with round steak browned in bacon fat, simmered in wine and tomato sauce, then finished with potatoes, carrots, celery, and mushrooms.

Applesauce oatmeal muffins with a crunchy oat crumble topping. Made with unsweetened applesauce and skim milk for a lighter breakfast bake, finished with cinnamon and brown sugar streusel.

Low-calorie banana brownies made fat-free with mashed banana, cocoa powder, egg whites, and buttermilk. A guilt-free chocolate fix that skips butter and yolks entirely.

Dad's melty biscuits bake up tall, fluffy and tender, with cream of tartar and baking powder for extra lift and an egg for richness. Split them warm and slather with butter and jam.

Fudge filled cupcakes with a dense brownie-style chocolate batter wrapped around a sweet cream cheese center studded with chocolate chips. Two desserts in one cupcake wrapper.

Creamy acorn squash soup with roasted squash, carrots, sherry, half-and-half, and warm spices. The autumn soup served in hollowed-out squash bowls for a stunning fall-table presentation.

Chocolate chip zucchini bread that bakes up impossibly moist, studded with semisweet chips, toasted pecans, and a whisper of cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus zest. A sneaky-good way to use up summer zucchini.

Homemade German chocolate ice cream with shredded coconut, chopped pecans, and sweet chocolate in a cooked custard base with a hint of cinnamon. Churn-frozen for a rich, creamy texture.

Banana nut bread bakes a moist, walnut-studded loaf using ripe bananas and tangy buttermilk for a tender crumb. A classic Southern family quick bread recipe.

Delicate sherry-kissed crepes wrapped around vanilla ice cream with a fresh blueberry-raspberry sauce and whipped cream. A berry-loaded summer dessert.

Buttery lemon scones with bright fresh lemon zest packed into every bite, a tender three-times-sifted crumb, and golden cream-brushed tops. A genuinely lemon-forward scone, not a hint.

Classic four-ingredient flaky pie dough with shortening and ice water. Makes two 9-inch crusts for double-crust pies, lattice tops, or freezer-stash backup. The base every home baker needs.

Italian onion focaccia: a soft yeasted flatbread crowned with buttery sautéed onions and rosemary. Golden, fragrant, and ready to tear and share at the dinner table.

Cappuccino cupcakes blend espresso into a moist chocolate batter lightened with prune puree as a butter substitute. Topped with whipped cream and cocoa for that cafe-style finish.

Chocolate syrup nut brownies built with bottled chocolate syrup, butter, eggs, and chopped nuts. A pantry-staple brownie with a cakey crumb, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Peanut butter cookies use crunchy peanut butter, both white and brown sugars, and the classic fork-pressed crisscross top for soft centers and crisp golden edges. A big-batch family-favorite cookie.