Tessa Huff

Imagine the tines of your forking breaking through, almost snapping, the velvety crust of a fruit tart. It crumbles a bit, but is far from dry — each bite more rich and buttery than the last. That tender crust is typically known as pâte sablée. Unlike a flaky pie crust, pâte sablée is crisp and more cookie-like. The name literally means “sandy,” although it’s anything but.

Have you graduated from boxed cake mix? Want to step up your cake-making game? Lucky for all of us, baking a cake from scratch is completely doable for the home baker. If you are just starting out, we have some great tips and just the right recipe for you. Classic yellow butter cake straight from your own oven – what’s better than that? Let’s get started!

Whether you need a quick side to go along with a lunch salad or something warm and tasty to bring along to a BBQ, keeping a jar of this cornbread mix around will always come in handy. Made with only a few, common dry ingredients, this mix is easy to use and even easier to put together. Say “so long” to store-bought mixes, and start making your own cornbread mix this summer!

This buttercream whips up super fluffy super quickly, and is literally the icing on the cake of any homemade treat.

When it comes right down to it, we are all just trying to find the best way to feed ourselves and our families. Somewhere in the middle of the frozen food aisle and foraging for our own fresh produce, the “best way” appears a bit fuzzy from time to time. If you are trying to find a balance between convenience and homemade, cost efficiency and saving time, then start with this simple recipe for pancake mix.

Zucchini bread was one of the first things I learned how to bake from scratch. It was full of oil and topped with a mound of cream cheese frosting. My 20-year-old self was in love. Nowadays, especially since I bake so often, I try to look for healthier options. These apple-zucchini muffins are the perfect compromise — with their oat crumble topping and dollop of sweetened crème fraîche, that super-rich cream cheese frosting is hardly missed.

Let’s get real. Nobody wants to turn on the oven during these hot summer months. But that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying some sweet treats every now and then, especially when they involve sun-ripened berries. While this recipe does require a few minutes spent over the stove, it is completely worth it. Served in individual glasses, this creamy cheesecake custard is paired with a strawberry-raspberry gelee, all atop a graham cracker crust.

These spiced cupcakes bring the flavor of masala chai to every bite, from the black tea-laced frosting to the fragrant sweet potato base.

When it comes to Halloween, I don’t joke around with my treats, and these cupcakes are no exception. It is a holiday that revolves around getting candy, after all! With a classic chocolate cake base and mounds of fluffy frosting, these cupcakes are super festive and easily customizable. Grab some friends, your favorite candy, and make a batch of these treats. These cupcakes start with an easy chocolate cake recipe and quick meringue frosting.

Want to make a stunning layer cake, but lack confidence in your cake decorating skills? Well, here’s a secret — you don’t need to be a professional pastry chef to create gorgeous layer cakes at home. Of course, practice makes perfect, but there are some tips and tricks for making beautiful cakes now! If you want an elegant layer cake with some added insurance in the decorating department, then this chocolate coconut cake is for you.

I am always trying to think of new dessert recipes to have on hand for easy entertaining. Recipes that are fresh, simple, and allow you to spend time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen. When Anjali asked me to help her with a cake for her Grown-Up Baby Shower, I knew this Lemon Poppyseed Bundt Cake would be a winner. With summer just around the corner, this no-fuss recipe is perfect for whatever backyard gathering or barbecue is heading your way.

The simple art of small-batch jams is something to celebrate and share. It’s like saying, “Hey, I have all this delicious, ripe fruit that I am going to whip up, and you — lucky recipient — are so special to me that I am going to share all this goodness and love with you.” When words alone can’t send the message strong enough, say it with jam!

The cookie you can totally eat three or four of!

The sun is finally shining high up here in the Pacific Northwest, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that spring is here to stay. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate spring and times of renewal than with a delightful layer cake. A slice of one of these rose, cardamom, and orange mini layer cakes is like a little slice of sunshine on every plate.

Most days are spent running around between work and errands, throwing dinner together at the last minute, and whipping up a quick one-bowl batter or treat if time allows. But some days are specifically reserved for baking projects, kitchen experiments, and fancy pastries. French macarons definitely fall into the latter category. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, these Raspberry-Coconut French Macarons are the perfect treat.

Sometimes you just need a moment to treat yourself. Whether that be a nice, breezy walk outside, a superb homemade latté (I’m talking with real steamed milk here), or a special snack. These buttery cookies with citrus curd are just that treat. Forcing yourself to take a beat out of a busy day in order to sit down and swirl the luscious curd onto each buttery cookies allows you to savor the moment — as well as each delectable crumb.

During the summer months, I love making homemade lemonade with a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice, some ice cubes, and sweetener shaken up in a cocktail shaker. I like to mix it up by adding either mint simple syrup, sliced strawberries, and honey. My favorite? Adding raspberry puree. Hello, pink lemonade! And then I got to thinking…. What about raspberry lemonade bars? A sweet and tart twist on the ol’ classic dessert. You can’t beat a tried and true recipe.

Are single-layer cakes all the rage right now or am I just little behind the times? Either way, I am in love. Bake them with seasonal fruit, top with fresh whipped cream, and add a drizzle of this or that — or even a scoop of ice cream. This caramel pear upside down cake is the perfect way to combine this flavorful fall fruit and a mound of your favorite toppings. When I owned my bakery, I only made layer cakes for weddings and special occasions.

Food trends come and go, but there will always be pumpkin pie. Whether it’s a traditional recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation, or one with a modern twist, no Thanksgiving is complete without this classic. Piped high with fluffy, toasted marshmallow-like topping, this deep-dish pumpkin meringue pie will spice up your dessert table this year. Traditions evolve and your annual feast may not even include a turkey on the table this year.

Every year around this time, I start making big batches of cookies, candies, and other edible gifts, package them up with festive bows and baker’s twine, and give them to friends and family. This season, I made this Holiday Nut & Fruit Brittle. It’s perfect for gifting and so versatile, using whatever nuts or dried fruit you have around. Enrobed in caramelized sugar, the nuts and seeds in this Holiday Nut Brittle look like little gems.

Searching for a festive, whimsical dessert to serve a crowd? This red velvet cake roll is not only surprisingly easy to put together during the busy holiday season, but it will look stunning on any dessert table. With tender red velvet sponge cake and a silky peppermint buttercream, this is a fun spin on a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert. Trying to roll up a sheet cake might sound impossibly daunting, but this really is a simple dessert.

Great gift-giving is an art form — finding a present that is the perfect balance of thoughtful, practical, intimate, and memorable. Sometimes this process can be a bit overwhelming. However, if you love to DIY, then the idea of a homemade gift can make things a whole lot easier. I tend to follow the edible gift route, as I find that making treats is a sensible, personal — and not to mention delicious — way to spoil loved ones.

With BBQs and the season of outdoor entertaining upon us, don’t get caught empty-handed heading into your next get-together. When a bottle of wine won’t do, try making your own hostess gift! At the peak of strawberry season, turn a basket of these juicy gems into some DIY strawberry syrup to gift to friends and family. An edible gift is one of the most practical yet personal items worth sharing.

This Herby Lemon Salt is one of the most practical and multipurpose seasoning salts you can have in your cupboard. The fresh citrus brightens up everything from poultry to hummus — even fresh fruit! Mix up the herbs to create new flavors or just stick to your favorites. I’ve used fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano, but I bet some cilantro or even mint would be great additions. Try sprinkling it on some buttered corn on the cob!

This Espresso Pepper Salt is quite robust, with its earthy and spicy flavor profile. Dark espresso is combined with fresh oregano, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a little extra kick. It is perfect on ribs and other grilled meats, and it would make an excellent dry rub mixed with a bit of brown sugar for pork loin. I bet it would be great to rim the glass of a Blood Mary, too. Be sure to keep a jar next to your grill all summer long!

This Herbes de Provence Salt uses a combination of fresh and dried herbs that are typically found in southern France. Like many of the seasoning blends of the same name, I’ve also added lavender to the mix. Try it on fish, poultry, grilled meats, and in stews. A good pinch added to a homemade vinaigrette would make for an excellent dressing on salads and vegetables, too! Although this blend uses fresh herbs, it will keep quite well in the cupboard for several weeks — at least!