“Asking ‘what’s for dessert?’ is greater than a nightly routine, it’s a private train.” More true, extra lovely phrases have by no means been written. In her new cookbook, What’s for Dessert, former Bon Appétit editor, Gourmand Makes star, and total baking hero Claire Saffitz offers over 100 scrumptious solutions. “Traditionally, dessert to me has at all times meant one thing baked,” Saffitz writes, “however this e book expands that definition.”
Whereas her first e book, Dessert Particular person, presents recipes for showstoppers of all difficulties (I nonetheless have goals concerning the tarte Tatin), Saffitz’s second e book takes a number of elements into consideration—time, kitchen house, and price range—for recipes which might be as approachable as doable. None of them require a stand mixer, solely about half require a hand mixer, and loads of them are no-bake.
From festive cookies worthy of any vacation tin to classy muffins that appear like they took hours to make (they didn’t), we chosen 5 of our favourite recipes—all proper solutions to the age-old query: What’s for dessert?
Tiramisù-y Icebox Cake
Saffitz counts this stunner of an icebox cake as one among her favourite recipes in What’s for Dessert. Her first style “was a light-weight, coffee-flavored revelation.” It hinges on store-bought ladyfingers (soaked in espresso and Kahlúa) and might be made days upfront.
This mild, coffee-flavored cake is a enjoyable twist on the decadent traditional, with layers of Kahlúa-soaked ladyfingers set between a candy mascarpone filling.
Mango-Yogurt Mousse
For a do-ahead candy that may go from fridge to desk at a second’s discover, look no additional than this mango-lassi-inspired Mango-Yogurt Mousse. Right here the flavors of the beloved South Asian drink—candy mango, tart yogurt, and floral cardamom—come collectively to create a refreshing dessert.
Impressed by the refreshing sweet-tart flavors of mango lassi, this chilly and silky mousse hits all of the spots for an ideal after-dinner deal with.
Flourless Chocolate Meringue Cake
Flourless chocolate cake is nice. Flourless chocolate cake with meringue is even higher. Saffitz realized meringue could possibly be baked straight on prime of a cake when she noticed Tartine Bakery founder Liz Prueitt’s recipe for Candy Potato Tea Cake With Meringue. On first look this masterpiece could appear too sophisticated, however bear in mind: Meringue is nothing greater than egg whites whipped with a sluggish and regular stream of sugar. You are able to do it.
This flourless chocolate cake options meringue each within the batter and on prime, which bakes into a light-weight and crispy shell with lovely swirls.
Raspberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Loosely based mostly on ricciarelli, a cookie native to Siena, Italy, these vibrant macaron-like almond cookies would make a welcome addition to any cookie swap. Due to a double dose of raspberry—the dough is flavored with each raspberry jam and freeze-dried raspberries—every chunk is bound to fulfill your resident berry lover, particularly when the contemporary fruit is out of season.
Crispy on the surface, chewy on the within, these raspberry-jam-filled almond thumbprint cookies are the proper teatime snack.
Lime Squiggles
With a reputation like Lime Squiggles, how may anybody resist these melt-in-your-mouth cookies? These treats are a method of shortbread referred to as meltaways; including cornstarch to the dough hinders gluten improvement, making them splendidly tender. Saffitz swaps butter for cream cheese, which brings bonus tang on prime of the lime juice and zest. When you’re anxious about transporting a Key lime pie to your subsequent get together, these cookies are the following neatest thing.
Make these irresistible melt-in-your mouth shortbread-style cookies, that are topped with lime glaze and zest for a tangy and citrusy punch.
