The Sweetest Time of the Year
The Sweetest Time of the Year
Our seasonal dessert special features a treasure trove of holiday sweets. Cannoli, candy and, of course, cookies are suitable for all manner of occasions and tastes. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Cakes and puddings also round out our sweetest holiday recipe collection ever.
Sticky Toffee Puddings
This rich and decadent dessert favors the British definition of pudding. It's essentially a steamed date cake with a thick homemade caramel sauce. No matter what you call it, it's a Kowalski's Test Kitchen favorite.
Very Vanilla Cake Roll
This simple cake may also be frosted or glazed with Sweetened Whipped Cream, Easy Chocolate Glaze or Kowalski's Buttercream Frosting. Try it with your favorite fruit sauces and fresh fruit garnishes, too. It can be filled with just about anything, from mascarpone cheese or lemon curd to pastry cream, buttercream or jam.
Gingerbread Cake
Molasses, brown sugar and cocoa make this cake especially dark and delicious. Color is not a good indicator of doneness for a dark-toned cake like this one, so watch for the indicated clues and test early and often with a clean toothpick in the center. When it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, it's ready!
Pumpkin Panna Cotta
This silky, smooth dessert tastes like pumpkin pie. We highly recommend Kowalski's Bourbon Maple Syrup, but you can top this dish any way you like – with or without nuts, whipped cream or caramel sauce. While panna cotta is beautiful when it's unmolded, you can also serve it right in the dish.
This recipe is made with gluten-free ingredients.
Pistachio Cannolis
Our recipe is made traditionally with ricotta cheese, but you can also make a smoother, richer filling by substituting the same amount of mascarpone cheese. The filling is also delicious when you add ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon and/or 1 tsp. freshly grated orange peel. It's also delicious as a dessert dip with cinnamon pita chips.
Lemon-Basil Basmati Pudding
This lovely twist on rice pudding has a fresh, bright flavor profile. You can also make Swedish Rice Pudding if you omit the lemon zest, basil and pistachios. Add ¼ cup raisins to the saucepan with the half-and-half and rice; stir in ½ tsp. cinnamon and a pinch each of cardamom and nutmeg with the vanilla.
This recipe is made with gluten-free ingredients.
Santa's Favorite Cookies
Baked with both white and milk chocolate, these sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy cookies are sure to satisfy no matter what St. Nick is in the mood for.
Double Chocolate Cheesecake
One type of chocolate simply isn't enough for this decadent dessert. Allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly by leaving it in the oven after it's done helps prevent unsightly cracks.
Salted Mendiants
These French chocolate candy discs are traditionally studded with specific dried fruits and nuts that represent four Catholic religious orders – Augustinians, Carmelites, Franciscans and Dominicans – but other fruits and nuts may be substituted. The addition of sea salt, while not typical of the confection, is a modern twist that especially enhances the flavor of the chocolate.
Tasty Tip:
Lots of holiday recipes, including many of these, call for melted chocolate. The easiest way to do this is in the microwave. Melt chocolate in a microwave in a heat-safe dish on 50% power, stirring between 60 sec. intervals. As chocolate becomes more fluid, cut interval time to 30 sec., then 15 sec., stirring between intervals.
Selection and availability of products and ingredients vary by market.
