Imagine a puckery key lime custard offset by the spicy sweetness of Belgian speculoos cookies. Top that with fresh native blueberries bound in a shiny glaze. Those ideas, along with a new rectangular tart pan, inspired this Blueberry Key Lime Tart Biscoff Crust. It is the perfect picnic dessert. Its flavors embody summer. The tart travels well, cuts into uniform slices, and is tangy and delicious. For many years, I made a blueberry tart out

These Shortbread Bars with Marzipan Cream, Chocolate and Dried Cherries win many fans. With the varied colors and pops of silver, they stand out on our seasonal cookie tray. These bar cookies consist of a layer of crumbly shortbread topped with an almond filling, chocolate chips, dried fruit and roasted salted almond chunks.  Kosher salt  in the dough adds a pleasant contrast to the sweet almond topping. Be creative with what goes on last. Butterscotch

We love a roadside picnic or eating on the deck at the beach.  We pack a few salads, maybe pan bagnat or other sandwiches with cookies and fruit for dessert. Peach Melba is a favorite but not easily transported until I came up with this recipe, peach melba cheesecake to go in a jar. It is delicious and easy to prepare. You can top it with any ripe seasonal fruits, peaches and a cherry shown

My all-time favorite tart and pie crust recipe comes from Jacques Pepin’s book, The Art of Cooking. You simply mix flour and cubes of cold butter in the bowl of a food processor. Add a little water and presto, perfect dough.  What I call Jacques’ Fast Flaky Pastry for Pies and Tartes is my go-to recipe for so many treats. Jump to Recipe Many have published this terrific recipe because it is foodproof.  Even if

Following the theme of perfect pairings, strawberries and rhubarb are companionable ingredients.  But don’t overlook the happy flavor combination of these seasonal fruits plus almonds. For this Strawberry Rhubarb Almond Tart, prepare a light filling made with almond butter. It adds a toasty flavor and acts as a moisture barrier keeping the crust crisp after baking. Consider this a master recipe for making summery tarts. Jump to Recipe Here is my mise en place and

Sometimes a gob smacking, over-the-top, super sweet, warm chocolaty treat is the only thing that will brighten a dull day. That’s when it’s time to make Heavenly Goo (Chocolate Fudge Pudding.) As homey a recipe as you’ll ever make, this pan of cake with tunnels of cocoa syrup pleases everyone, especially when served warm with whipped cream. There isn’t much technique to this 1950’s recipe. The base is a light chocolate-scented batter. You sprinkle a

Voters in my unofficial Instagram poll agree. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a warm, dense chocolate dessert? Mix these Individual Chocolate Mocha Lava Cakes ahead and bake them to order so that you have a warm dessert for your sweetheart. Although the batter is quite simple, blending then beating it thoroughly helps ensure  a light texture. You beat the batter in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whip or