Pantries

Three words: crescent roll crust.

And they’re a breeze to make.

Struffoli is not only a fun word to say. The classic Italian dessert, also known as Italian Honey Balls, is a festive that’s traditionally served during Christmas time, just like panettone, pizzelle, and pignoli. Tiny balls of dough are fried until golden-brown. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re then tossed in a sticky-sweet honey syrup and decorated with rainbow sprinkles.

So rich! So chocolatey! So fun!

Irish coffee is one of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day treats — though we also enjoy it on Black Friday (staying home, skipping shopping) and on both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. So when Sheela Prakash shared her uncle’s rules for making the very best Irish coffee I had to give his method a try. It turns out, just a few key points make for a better Irish coffee that is perfect for celebrating the everyday.

These are beyond worth the effort.

In my world, fondue is just another word for fun with food. I mean, poking food onto sticks and dipping it into something melty suddenly makes the meal way more interesting. Proof of this is how much my daughter’s eyes light up whenever I mention chocolate fondue. While a smooth pot of melted chocolate surrounded by a full spread of dippers may look fancy, it’s way, way easier than making a cake, pie, or cookies — and everyone gets to choose their own dessert adventure.

It's perfectly retro.

Tastes like a ticket to Paris.

Christmas Chex Mix is one of my favorite holiday treats that offers a welcome change from all the cookies and candy canes fighting for attention. This crispy, salty-sweet mixture even looks like Christmas — everything is coated in white chocolate, and red and green M&Ms peek through! My favorite Christmas Chex Mix blend is pretty simple — cereal, pretzels, and candy — but the sprinkle of flaky salt at the end is what takes it over the top.

They're a new tradition.

No one has to know how easy it is to make.

I grew up making this chocolate fudge with my father, who spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen (which was rare for a man of his generation). He was always welcoming, pulling up a chair to the stove and hovering close as I stirred the molten chocolate bubbling away. This chocolate fudge recipe is a family-favorite and easy to make for the holidays (or any time of the year).This recipe for fudge is a classic one from my childhood.

Every year as the holidays approach, I eagerly anticipate holiday baking and decorating sugar cookies. And every year, they don’t exactly turn out as planned. That’s because decorating cookies is a lot easier said than done — especially if you’re a perfectionist like me who likes straight lines and clean edges. But this year, I’m prepared. I recently got to work developing a simple royal icing recipe that makes cookie decorating as stress-free (and mess-free!

Over my years of writing for The Kitchn, I’ve shared almost all of my favorite holiday cookies, from my mother’s famous peppermint cream-filled butter cookies (followed by the much less finicky peppermint cream squares the following year) to rugelach and gingerbread cookies. I’ve saved one of my most beloved cookies for last. These candy cane cookies are the best.

It was only a few years back when my mom first decided to bake stollen for Christmas morning. Traditionally, she baked her signature coffee cake after stockings, but with a house filled with more holiday guests than usual, she decided to expand the morning menu.I can still remember her kneading the dough on the 23rd, and when I later walked past the countertop, I encountered the most supple, glistening dome of dough I had ever seen.

Grab your sheet pan.

Get baking!

It's ridiculously good — and surprisingly easy to make.

Get set for your cookie party.

There are so many possibilities.

Grab some candy canes.

No mixer required.

Feel better without the drive-thru.

An excuse to eat sprinkles? Yes, please!

They’re a classic for a reason.

Get the party started.

It's ready in under 30 minutes.

It’s so easy.

A buttery classic.

Consider them the ultimate comfort cookie.

No notes.

It tastes even better than the real thing.

It's all about the icing on the cake.

People love them.

Just look at these layers.

Lean on one of these pantry recipes for dinner this week.

It’s not what you think.

So rich, so buttery.

They look so fancy.

They taste like Reese's, only better.

‘Tis the season.

Besides spaghetti because, duh.

They’re a family favorite for a reason.

They're a classic for a reason.

The secret’s in the cream cheese.

They make a statement.

Sweet but not *too* sweet.

Bananas turning black? Lucky you.

They’re so soft and chocolate-y.

Calling all chocolate-lovers!

Worth waking up for.

There's a secret pantry staple that makes it the best ever.

No knead, no problem.

For the pumpkin lovers & haters alike.

They taste just like the real deal.

Classic comfort food at its very best.

Just look at these layers.

It’s loaded with chocolate ganache.