Sparkly Spiral Cookies

A simple icing trick turns these sugar cookies into glittery works of art. Make sure you gently tap off as much excess decorating sugar as possible for the most polished end-result. You can also use a toothpick to scrape off any loose sugar after the cookies are dry.

Milk Chocolate Tart Brûlée with Hazelnut Crust

This tart is made for occasions that call for an elegant chocolate dessert. The crackly caramel topping encloses a smooth milk chocolate filling that beautifully complements the nuts in the pastry.

Plum and Almond Mini Galettes

These galettes are a hybrid between a plum Danish and an almond croissant. They get their unique taste from the almond-flavoured marzipan; look for it in the baking aisle of the grocery store.

The Ultimate Peach Pie

Fresh peaches at the market are a sure sign that summer is here. And there's no better way to celebrate than with our Ultimate Peach Pie. A hint of vanilla in the filling brings out the best in the peaches, and a sprinkling of cornmeal in the flaky pastry adds a satisfying crunch. Be sure to bake the pie on a baking sheet to catch any juices that spill over.

Toffee Banana Family Tree Cake

Celebrate this summer's reunion with a cake displaying your family tree. To get it to the picnic, cover it with a cake dome, or place toothpicks at 2-inch (5 cm) intervals around top edge and drape with plastic wrap, then transport it in a cooler.

Hazelnut Torte with Milk Chocolate Buttercream

The rich, tasty buttercream in this torte has the silkiest texture and best flavour when made with good-quality chocolate. 

Eggplant and Spinach Lasagna

This colourful vegetable lasagna will delight vegetarian guests — and even the most dedicated meat eaters, too — with its rich flavours. You can save time by using 4 cups (1 L) of store-bought pasta sauce instead of making the tomato sauce.

Cheddar and Chipotle Focaccia

This focaccia dough is moist and a bit difficult to handle at first. It needs a long kneading (easiest in a stand mixer) and a rise overnight in the refrigerator to come together in texture and flavour. To prevent the dough from taking on any fridge odours, place the covered bowl in a plastic bag. Whole spelt flour gives a wonderful and subtle nutty boost to the flavour of the white flour; you could replace it with whole wheat flour, if you prefer. To prepare the chipotle peppers, soak them in boiling water until softened, about 15 minutes. Remove stems; split and seed.

Cookies and Cream Celebration Cake

This citrus-scented layer cake and creamy butter icing are good basics to use time and time again for all your special occasions.

Citrus Éclairs