Helen's Holiday Float is a baked custard dessert spiked with whiskey and brandy, topped with golden meringue and nutmeg. A festive old-fashioned crowd-pleaser.
Artillery Punch - a historic large-batch party punch with rye whiskey, Jamaican rum, brandy, red wine, Benedictine, strong black tea, and citrus. Makes 25-30 cups, handle with care.
Classic French country pate with ground pork and veal marinated overnight in white wine and brandy, lined with fatback, and baked in a water bath until firm. A make-ahead appetizer.
Slow cooker beef daube braised in white wine and brandy with shallots, ham, orange peel, and Provencal herbs. A French stew made effortless in a crockpot.
Apricot brandy cake layers a tender, spice-kissed crumb with sticky apricot preserves and brandy buttercream frosting. The secret? Apricot baby food keeps the cake moist and fruit-forward with zero fuss.
New Orleans-style pain perdu French toast with orange flower water, brandy, lemon zest, and nutmeg. Stale French bread soaked rich and fried golden, dusted with powdered sugar.
Whipped cheddar cheese and brandy spread with just four ingredients: sharp cheddar, butter, brandy, and black pepper. Pack it into a crock for a sophisticated appetizer or homemade food gift.
Koulourakia, Greek special occasion cookies made with olive oil, cinnamon, brandy, and sesame seeds. Egg-free, dairy-free, and hand-shaped into traditional forms.
Homemade turkey sausage gets its juiciness from a little pureed bacon worked into lean ground turkey, then seasoned with brandy, thyme, and clove. Shape into patties or stuff into casings for a leaner sausage with real backbone.
Broiled shrimp and scallops marinated in brandy, olive oil, and Herbs de Provence, then crisped under the broiler with a breadcrumb coating. Served with a silky white wine beurre blanc and a squeeze of lemon.
Brandied berry milkshake blends vanilla ice cream with fresh blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and a splash of brandy. A grown-up frozen dessert drink ready in 5 minutes.
Wild mushroom tart layers sauteed porcini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms with shallots, brandy, and Swiss cheese in a creamy custard pie. A rustic French-inspired main or side for cool-weather dinners.
Chicken liver pate with brandy, dry sherry, and unsalted butter, finished with a hint of marjoram and optional truffles. Silky smooth and served chilled as an elegant appetizer.
Crostata di ricotta is the classic Italian lattice-topped tart filled with sweetened ricotta, grappa-soaked raisins, bittersweet chocolate, and orange zest. Pasta frolla crust, dusted with powdered sugar.
Brandy-orange barbecued Cornish hens: grilled game hens glazed with orange marmalade, brandy, and ginger. An elegant two-bird dinner built for the backyard grill.
Fruitcake drop cookies with brandy, candied cherries, dates, candied pineapple, and nuts. All the holiday fruitcake flavor in a bite-sized cookie that bakes in 12 minutes.