Dessert Recipes

My neighbor Jen wasn’t trying to make anything special that Tuesday afternoon. I’d stopped by to borrow a cup of sugar—cliché, I know—and the sight … Read more

I wasn’t expecting pumpkin-carving advice from a guy named Marco who fixes my ancient washing machine, but there I was, standing in my utility room, … Read more

There used to be a tiny bakery tucked behind a vintage bookstore on Elm Street that made a pumpkin cheesecake bar that I still dream … Read more

The office potluck for Day of the Dead was in two days and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing elaborate altars of food—their … Read more

I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store last Tuesday, half-listening to the Muzak and mentally running through my to-do list, when … Read more

Last November, I was at the farmers’ market, completely overwhelmed by a mountain of fresh cranberries. An older woman next to me, sorting through bags … Read more

This was supposed to be a proper Halloween party dessert. You know, the kind you see in magazines with perfectly piped frosting and handmade fondant … Read more

My neighbor wasn’t trying to impress me. I’d stopped by to borrow a ladder—ours had mysteriously vanished after a garage sale—and this scent hit me … Read more

The first time I made these, I was testing them for a Halloween party and accidentally used a piping tip that was way too small. … Read more

I had a long-standing, deeply held position on apple desserts. For years, I claimed to hate apple dumplings. The soggy, sad pastry. The overly sweet, … Read more