Recipes with vanilla extract

Microwave pineapple upside down cake done in under 15 minutes of cook time, with caramelized brown sugar, classic pineapple rings, and maraschino cherries. Retro dessert, modern shortcut.

Old-school dark fruitcake soaked overnight in brandy and orange liqueur with figs, apricots, currants, walnuts, and pecans. Makes four loaves; ages beautifully.

Buttermilk whoopie pies: pillowy chocolate cake cookies sandwiched around fluffy marshmallow buttercream. The classic New England diner dessert, soft, sweet, and snack-cake delicious.

Buttery shortbread crust topped with a fluffy almond paste filling, folded egg whites, lemon juice, and flaked coconut. A Dutch bakery classic that yields 50 bars from one pan.

German cheese kuchen with a cottage cheese and cinnamon custard filling in a buttery biscuit-style crust. A traditional Kaeskuchen that chills for 4 hours before serving.

Traditional Italian fig cookies (cucidati) with a sweet filling of dried figs, raisins, walnuts, and cinnamon wrapped in a buttery dough. A classic holiday cookie from Italian-American bakeries.

As a matter of record, the sour cream coffee cake has been served in city school cafeterias since 1959.

Classic Southern pecan pie with dark corn syrup, butter, and vanilla in an unbaked pie shell. Gooey, caramelized filling with whole pecan halves on top.

Traditional German almond cookies shaped into hearts, with a tender flourless crumb made from ground almonds, egg yolks, and lemon extract, topped with a bright lemon icing. Naturally gluten-free and irresistible.

Buttermilk coffee cake layered with crushed Heath bars and chopped pecans under a buttery brown sugar crumb topping. A rich brunch cake with toffee crunch in every slice.

Chewy oat chocolate chip cookies packed with rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate, and chopped nuts. Bake 9 minutes for soft and chewy or 13 minutes for crisp edges. Also works as bars.

Fresh apple butter cake loaded with diced McIntosh apples and walnuts, baked in a tube pan and drizzled with a warm sherry glaze. Dense, spiced, and indulgent.

Oreo cookie pound cake with chunks of Oreos folded through a buttery batter and finished with a glossy chocolate glaze. A cookies-and-cream bundt that bakes up dense, moist and tender.

Eggnog Filled Cake with Chocolate Frosting recipe

Gumdrop fruitcake with white raisins, chopped nuts, and colorful gumdrops in a spiced applesauce batter. A festive, kid-friendly alternative to traditional fruitcake.

Creamy cocoa cheesecake on a graham cracker crust with a tangy sour cream topping baked until just set. Rich chocolate flavor from pure cocoa powder, not melted chocolate.