Dessert Recipes

I was standing in the frozen foods aisle of the grocery store last Tuesday when a woman walked past me, and I caught it—that sharp, … Read more

The neighborhood holiday brunch was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing those elaborate overnight casseroles, perfectly layered quiches, and … Read more

My neighbor Gina wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by to borrow a ladder—our fence had lost a battle with a windstorm—and the scent … Read more

I was standing in the dairy aisle last Tuesday, just staring at a carton of eggnog. It wasn’t even the fancy stuff—just the store brand, … Read more

There used to be a tiny coffee shop tucked into a brick building on the corner of Elm and 3rd in my old neighborhood that … Read more

I was supposed to be making a proper Christmas dessert. You know the kind—something that requires a stand mixer, a candy thermometer, and at least … Read more

It was 10:47 PM on a random Wednesday, and I had a sudden, undeniable need for something buttery and sweet. Not the kind of craving … Read more

My sister-in-law asked why I couldn’t just throw the M&Ms in before the marshmallows melted. We were standing in her kitchen last December, the counter … Read more

I wasn’t expecting baking advice from my daughter’s second-grade teacher, but there I was, at a school craft fair, elbow-deep in glitter glue, listening to … Read more

The woman at the farmers’ market stall watched me eyeing her basket of crystallized ginger for a solid minute before she finally spoke. “You’re not … Read more

My sister had claimed to hate peppermint for a solid decade. Ten years of turning down candy canes, avoiding mint tea, and pushing away any … Read more

I was trying to make candied pecans. That was the plan, anyway. A simple, straightforward batch of sugary, spiced nuts to toss over a salad … Read more

I was at the hardware store, of all places, trying to pick out a new shade of off-white paint (which, let me tell you, is … Read more

My nephew asked why I couldn’t just mix the filling, roll it into balls, and call it a day instead of bothering with a crust … Read more

It was 11:47 PM on a random Wednesday in October, and I was standing in front of my open fridge, staring at a can of … Read more

My neighbor Linda watched me wrestling with a bag of frozen pecans one Tuesday evening. I was trying to crack them open with the bottom … Read more

Let’s be honest, candy corn is a divisive little triangle. People either hoard the bags starting in September or they turn up their noses at … Read more

The neighborhood block party was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten. I was standing in my kitchen at two in the afternoon, staring at … Read more

My neighbor Sarah wasn’t trying to impress anyone that October afternoon. I’d stopped by to borrow a ladder—ours had mysteriously vanished during a backyard shed … Read more

The checkout line at the hardware store was moving slower than a snail on a salt flat. I was just there for a new lightbulb … Read more