4,750 night recipes

A big-batch yeasted bread enriched with sour cream, butter, and molasses, studded with golden raisins and walnuts. Makes 4 loaves that freeze beautifully.

Chocolate bar Easter cake made by melting real milk chocolate bars into the batter with sour cream, brown sugar, and vanilla. Rich, moist, and ready for your favorite frosting.

Low calorie chocolate layer pie with a press-in flour crust, sweetened cream cheese middle, sugar-free chocolate pudding, and light whipped topping. Three layers, lighter guilt.

Old fashioned pineapple upside down cake baked in a cast iron skillet with a caramelized brown sugar and butter base, pineapple rings, and pecan halves. Served warm with whipped cream.

Pfeffernuesse are traditional German pepper nut cookies spiced with cinnamon, cloves, mace, nutmeg, and allspice. Tiny rounds dried overnight and finished with a drop of brandy.

Classic manicotti made the authentic way, with handmade egg pasta squares rolled around a ricotta and mozzarella filling, layered in meat sauce and baked under Parmesan. Fresh pasta makes all the difference over boxed tubes.

Polpettone di tacchino: Italian rolled turkey roast stuffed with ground turkey, bread crumbs, pistachios, and herbs, then braised with white wine, sage, and rosemary. Elegant Sunday Italian dinner with a pinwheel cross-section.

Charlisa's Extra-Good Sesame Drop Biscuit-Muf recipe

Indian-spiced glazed cauliflower with fresh ginger, turmeric, coriander, and green chilies. Vegetarian side dish that's stir-fried until golden and finished with lemon juice.

Poached apples with maple cream sauce made from real maple syrup, butter, and half-and-half. An elegant fall dessert with whole tender apples in a rich, reduced maple sauce.

Creamy cottage cheesecake made with full-fat cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs on a graham cracker crust. The lighter, tangier alternative to classic cheesecake.

Classic three-cheese manicotti stuffing with ricotta, diced mozzarella, Parmesan, and eggs. A quick no-cook filling that pipes or spoons into manicotti shells for a rich, creamy Italian dinner.

Homemade salad dressing with garlic, oregano, red bell pepper, dry mustard, and white wine vinegar. A from-scratch vinaigrette loaded with fresh aromatics. 12 ingredients, 5 minutes.

Pecan meringue cookies with brown sugar, egg whites, and just a touch of flour. Light, crisp, and loaded with toasted nut flavor. Naturally gluten-light and simple to make.

Slow-baked chickpeas in tomato sauce with bacon, molasses, brown sugar, and dry mustard. A hearty from-scratch baked bean recipe using garbanzo beans instead of navy beans.

Mexican praline cookies made with brown sugar, butter, toasted pecans, cinnamon, and egg yolk, dusted with powdered sugar. A rich, buttery shortbread-style cookie with warm spice and nutty crunch.