Baking

Using melted white chocolate in the vanilla portion of this marble cake adds a complex toastiness, and makes a luxurious textural match for the chocolate swirls—even if you don't like white chocolate, give it a try.

This festive winter cake relies on applesauce and—believe it or not—mayonnaise to make a dairy-free chocolate dessert that’s perfect for the holidays.

An addition of goat cheese makes for a cheesecake that tastes perfectly authentic, but without the gumminess that can plague some recipes. Thanks to an initial burst of high heat, it puffs gently in the oven, creating a uniquely light but creamy consistency.

My homemade grahams are buttery and crisp, with an incredible depth of flavor thanks to earthy whole wheat flour and the mellow maltiness of golden syrup—a type of light molasses.

Made in a sheet pan, this is simply chocolate cream pie squared.

The key to the richest apple pie filling? Macerate apples in brown sugar, lemon, and spices, then reduce the juices with fresh cider to concentrate the flavors before baking.

Garlic–brown butter makes these exceptional rolls fragrant and delicious, and a portion of cooked dough mixed into the batter keeps them supple. They’re a little labor-intensive, but once you taste them, you’ll be hooked.

Instead of the usual apple pie, opt for this spiced apple cake for Thanksgiving. Grated apples give it a moist, dense texture, while a caramel glaze and candied walnuts make it truly showstopping.

A soft-pretzel crust and a giant salted-pretzel topper take the place of traditional pie dough in this fun twist on apple pie.

Even die-hard butter devotees admit that olive oil makes exceptionally good cakes.

You can’t see the candied almonds in these cookies, but you’ll taste them for sure.

America's favorite pumpkin purée is actually made from squash, so why not turn to the earthy sweetness of fresh butternut squash? It's dead easy to prepare at home and tastes more vibrantly "pumpkin" than anything from a can.

These easy to make, customizable bars are packed with enough virtuous things that you might almost forget they’re dessert. Pack them in lunches, take them on road trips, or serve them for family movie nights—everyone will be happy.