sweet potato pie bars

Photo: Davide Luciano

Finally: The Dessert That Lets You Have It All
Yes, these bars have Thanksgiving (and Christmas) written all over them, but like the best holiday treats, they're just too good to be reserved for holidays only. The shortbread crust is buttery and tasty—and there's no rolling needed, since you just press it into the pan. The topping is pretty much our dream pie filling: custardy, gently spiced and sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup. (You can use canned sweet potato or pumpkin puree.) But here's why we're really gaga: The crust and the topping are equally flavorful and the same thickness, so every bite is half cookie, half pie.

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Photo: Davide Luciano

The Cookie That's Nothing Short of a Holiday Miracle
Dorie Greenspan says this chocolate cookie recipe has gone through a few different French names over the years. But the moniker she finally settled on was bestowed by her neighbor, who dubbed them World Peace Cookies. She says he was convinced that if everyone in the world could have these cookies, there would be planetary peace. With cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate chips and a dash of sea salt, they're the perfect balance of sweet and salty. And hey, Greenspan attests that anyone who tries one smiles—and smiles are pretty powerful.

Get the recipe: World Peace Cookies

Photo: Davide Luciano

The Makeover You Never Even Realized Chocolate Chip Cookies Needed
We were already using our cast-iron skillet for everything from potatoes to lasagna. And then, Greenspan showed us how this pan can work its magic on the humble chocolate chip cookie. Turns out, a long, slow bake in cast iron causes the edges and bottom of the cookie to caramelize. It's thick and chewy, especially at the center. And the sheer size of this treat (more than nine inches in diameter and an inch high!), with a surface speckled with chips and add-ins (Greenspan favors coconut and apricots), makes it one of the most stunning versions of the classic we've ever seen.

Get the recipe: Cast-Iron Pan Chocolate-Chip-Cookie Bars

Photo: Davide Luciano

The Cocktail-Inspired Treat
The first time Greenspan tasted a Bee's Sneeze cocktail at a bar in New York City, she thought, "This should be a cookie." We're happy to report that she was right—the drink's ingredients (the non-alcoholic ones: lemon, ginger, honey, black pepper) make for a bright, floral and zippy cookie that functions equally well with cocktails as it does as a stand-alone dessert. They're sturdy and flaky, and Greenspan suggests nibbling them with slices of Parmesan, or even dipping them in honey.

Get the recipe: Bee's Sneeze Nuggets

Photo: Davide Luciano

The Berry Dessert with an Unexpected Wow Factor
Cranberry-orange and cranberry-white chocolate are fantastic combinations, but Greenspan offers a new take on the popular (and festive!) holiday berry with these spice-ified versions of cranberry shortbread. She infuses the tart dough with Chinese five-spice powder, a rich combination of star anise, Sichuan, cinnamon, cloves and fennel. The little bites are excellent with a white wine such as Pinot Gris or Gewürztraminer—or with a cup of tea.

Get the recipe: Cranberry-Five Spice Cocktail Cookies
Published 11/21/2016