Dessert/5 recipes

Crushed crackers folded into stiff meringue with pecans create a crispy-chewy crust that bakes into a pie shell, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Classic shortbread wedges with almond extract, cornstarch for extra tenderness, and a whole almond pressed into each piece. A buttery, crumbly Scottish-style cookie baked in a round pan.

Buttery almond cutout cookies shaped like birds with sliced almond feather wings and a sparkly sugar glaze. A whimsical holiday baking project the whole family will love.

Cherry-stuffed cookies wrapped in almond-vanilla dough and dipped in dark or white chocolate. A surprise maraschino cherry hidden inside each one.

Old-fashioned boiled fruit cake loaded with raisins, figs, and warm spices. The boiling method creates an incredibly moist crumb that stays fresh for days. Serves 12.

Almond orange macaroons made with blanched almonds, sugar, egg whites, and orange flower water. The naturally gluten-free Mediterranean cookie with a chewy interior and crisp golden top.

A two-layer chocolate almond torte with whipped egg whites for lightness and a glossy chocolate chip glaze. Bake it in heart-shaped pans for a Valentine's Day stunner.

Shaker honey almond cake bakes a spice-warmed honey-sour cream batter under a crown of almonds, then ripens 2 days for deeper flavor. Heritage New England keeping cake.

Harvest pie made with Granny Smith apples and green tomatoes, spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, finished with a lattice crust. A rustic fall deep-dish pie with optional rum.

Sugarplum black forest torte stacks four thin chocolate buttermilk layers with a fudgy chocolate-almond filling and almond whipped cream. A nutty twist on the classic, with toasted almonds in every bite.

Easy chocolate-covered cherry cookies from a brownie mix: fudgy chocolate drop cookies studded with pecans and maraschino cherries, baked just until set for a soft, brownie-like center. A quick holiday cookie.

Creme de menthe truffle cups: bite-size chocolate candy shells piped full of minty chocolate ganache with ground almonds. A boozy, bakery-style Christmas confection made in a double boiler.

Honey almond parfait is a frozen mousse-style dessert with whipped cream, honey-sweetened sabayon, and toasted sliced almonds. A French-inspired semifreddo that skips the ice cream machine.

Saffron-kissed almond biscotti with bright lemon zest and a glossy egg-white glaze. Twice-baked until dry and crisp, these Italian cookies actually improve after a few days in a paper bag.

Traditional Italian almond biscotti (Biscotti di Prato) baked twice for shattering crunch. No butter, no oil, just flour, eggs, sugar, and whole blanched almonds.

Chocolate turtle cheesecake: vanilla wafer crust topped with melted caramel, toasted pecans, and chocolate cheesecake filling. A layered showstopper dessert for serious occasions.