These are a nice, sophisticated alternative to chocolate chip walnut cookies, but just as familiar and comforting. Photo to the left by Quentin Bacon. MAKES ABOUT 3 DOZEN 3-INCH COOKIES ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed light brown sugar 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract [...]

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living Magazine.   MAKES 2 9-INCH PIES 2½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 3 tablespoons sugar ½ pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted buter, but into small pieces 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut 2 large egg yolks 2 cups heavy cream 4 large egg whites 1 1/3 cups [...]

Serve as an alternate to pumpkin pie. Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. MAKES ONE 9-INCH PIE 25 gingersnap cookies 4 tablespoons butter, melted, plus 3 tablespoons melted and cooled 1 medium sweet potato (8 ounces), peeled and cut into large chunks 2½ tablespoons all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon ground ginger ¾ [...]

This is my mom’s sister’s, my Aunt June’s, icebox pie. It was my dad’s favorite pie, so she always brought one when she came to visit. She topped hers with meringue, but I prefer whipped cream. The gingersnap crust was also my addition, because I love gingersnaps with lemon.   Makes one 9-inch pie (Serves [...]

For a take on an old-fashioned TV dinner, serve with Roasted Vegetable Meatloaf, Mustard Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans with Garlic, Lemon & Parsley. Photo to the left by Brian Leatart. Topping ½ cup old-fashioned oats ½ cup all purpose flour ½ cup (packed) golden brown sugar 1/3 cup sliced almonds ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg Generous pinch of salt 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes Filling 5 cups ½-inch-thick slices fresh rhubarb (from [...]

This is a classic. I serve this with frozen yogurt instead of ice cream because I like the tanginess of the yogurt with the sweet, syrupy cherries. Use any variety of cherries you want–sweet or sour. Serves 4 to 6 2 cups pitted cherries (about 10 ounces), plus extra for garnish ¾ cup dry white [...]

This is the easiest type of summertime dessert–one that requires no cooking and very little prep. SERVES 8. 3 pints ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet, such as raspberry sorbet, strawberry ice cream, and blueberry, blackberry, or boysenberry sorbet   1. Place a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan in the freezer for 30 minutes until it is [...]

This simple panna cotta is all about the tangy flavor of creamy buttermilk topped with a sweet-tart spoonful or two of bright red balsamic-glazed strawberries.

As homemade desserts go, cobblers are about as easy as they come; even better, they are endearingly homey and invariably good. The fluffy cream biscuits floating over this blackberry cobbler couldn’t be simpler—just mix and drop. Serve warm with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Place 1½ cups freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice (from 10 to 12 lemons), ½ cup natural cane sugar, ¼ cup honey and a pinch of sea salt in a large glass pitcher with 6 cups water and stir until the sugar and honey dissolve. Add lemon slices from 1 lemon and 4 fresh mint sprigs [...]