10,000 melting recipes

Ripe tomatoes hollowed out and stuffed with seasoned rice, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sauteed green pepper, then baked until bubbly. A showstopping side dish in 40 minutes.

Layers of enriched yeast dough twisted with spiced almond filling create a stunning centerpiece bread that's perfect for holiday brunches and special breakfasts.

Herbed rice cake baked with cheddar, dill, parsley, onion, and a hit of Tabasco. Cuts into crisp-edged squares that work as a side or vegetarian main.

A rich brown sugar cheesecake studded with cashews and pecans on a vanilla wafer crust. Creamy, nutty, and caramelly, this showstopper bakes in just 30 minutes in a springform pan.

Light sponge cake baked in a casserole dish, then soaked with a hot rum sugar syrup and topped with toasted almonds or coconut. This boozy, syrup-drenched dessert is even better the next day.

Honey-nut ladder loaf bread made in just 60 minutes with rapid-rise yeast. A braided bread filled with almonds, raisins, coconut, honey, and cinnamon.

Egg-free bran muffins loaded with chopped apples, dried apricots, and walnuts, made with apple juice and all-bran cereal. Brushed with cinnamon sugar while hot.

Grandma's chicken and dumpling soup with hand-made broth, cream of chicken and mushroom soups, vegetables, and feathery drop dumplings. A Midwestern comfort-food classic built for big gatherings.

Savory cornbread muffins loaded with cheddar, Parmesan, and properly boiled poke salat, an Arkansas Cornbread Festival recipe. A Southern wild-greens twist on cheesy cornbread.

Roasted plums with Greek yogurt, toasted hazelnuts, and a drizzle of honey. A 25-minute healthy dessert that turns firm supermarket plums into something silky, caramelized, and elegant.

Showstopping chocolate mousse pie with brandy-soaked chocolate-dipped cherries, a cookie crust, and a filling loaded with 12 oz of chocolate, coffee, and whipped cream.

Buttermilk orange cake studded with raisins and nuts, topped with a citrus-sugar glaze broiled into a caramelized, crackly crust. Served warm with whipped cream for an old-fashioned dessert.

Creamy shrimp and egg noodle casserole baked with mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, yogurt, and fresh dill. Whole shrimp arranged on top for a gorgeous presentation.

Espresso cheesecake with a toasted hazelnut-cocoa crust, baked in a water bath for a silky, crack-free finish. Reduced espresso and Kahlua deliver bold coffee flavor in every bite.

Two-day sourdough potato rye bread with molasses, cornmeal, mace, and poppy seeds. A dense, earthy loaf with an overnight starter and old-world European baking technique.

These fit every occasion, from a snack to a holiday dinner.