Made of two soft, cake-like cookies sandwiching icing, whoopie pies are thought to have origins with the Amish in the United States.
Give your favourite java head a double shot of espresso: a brownie made with espresso and topped with a chocolate-covered espresso bean.
"You've heard of shepherd's pie; well, this is swineherder's pie," says Laurel. In this satisfying recipe, she uses pork instead of beef or lamb, and parsnips and mashed sweet potatoes instead of the usual potato topping.
Ground turkey is a lean alternative to beef. Keep the burgers moist and flavourful with this simple sweet-and-sour barbecue sauce.
Saffron gives this ice cream a rich yellow hue and sophisticated flavour. Serve this as the finale to a Middle Eastern or Indian meal, or any dinner that needs a classy ending.
The plates are ready, the skillet hot and the latkes — crisp potato pancakes — are sizzling up lacy and golden brown, ready to be devoured with dollops of applesauce and sour cream. Latkes, the Yiddish word for pancakes, are the most anticipated dish at the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. But latkes are so deliciously addictive that it would be a shame not to make them year-round.
Delicious chocolate waffles are a decadent way to start the day. A dollop of whipped cream or plain yogurt both make excellent additions.
These little loaves work wonders as gifts, but you can also set them out as a sweet afternoon treat or as part of a holiday brunch. For a selection of flavours, make the Chocolate-Pear Loaves and Chestnut Loaves as well and package the trio in a pretty tin.
This velvety chocolate terrine is an intensely adult pleasure. (From our February issue "Heavenly Chocolate" collection.)
Extra chocolaty, these squares from Daphna Rabinovitch, our associate food and nutrition editor, don't even need icing. If you like, you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries for an elegant dessert.
