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    World Baking Day: Editor’s Picks & Reader Favorites!

    Today is a day to celebrate all things baking—it’s World Baking Day! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, there’s no better excuse to get your hands covered in flour and create some delicious magic.
    To inspire your baking adventures, we’re pulling out all the stops! Some of our editorial team members are sharing their all-time favorite recipes from the pages of Bake from Scratch. Plus, we’re revisiting some of our most popular creations from the past few years, as determined by you, our amazing readers!
    Get ready to roll up your sleeves, preheat your ovens, and celebrate World Baking Day in the sweetest way possible!
    Editorial Favorites

    Nancy Meeks, Editorial DirectorMimicking the crisp, flaky texture of croissants, these Croissant French Bread loaves are everything you love about puff pastry without the intensive time and labor. The layers of buttery goodness rise throughout the length of the baguettes, creating a golden-brown crust meant for tearing and sharing.

    Kile Pointer, Graphic Designer Made up of a layer of chewy, lightly crisp dough, a melty blend of cheeses, sautéed vegetables, sausage, pepperoni, and homemade Pizza Sauce, this is a pizza that eats like a multicourse dinner. Although locals of the Windy City may argue whether this pizza is a knife-and-fork ordeal or a handheld meal, we say that as long as you enjoy every bite, you’re doing it right.

    Meg Lundberg, Senior Copy Editor, FoodWe’re big fans of an ambitious holiday crossover, and these Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars are just that. An indulgent layer of cheesecake filling is sandwiched between chewy, delicately spiced gingerbread dough. It’s a simple formula, but when that molasses-rich gingerbread meets that vanilla-scented cheesecake, you’ll get flavor fireworks. It packs all of the richness you could want—but in a neat gluten-free package. Our Most Popular Recipes per Year

    Much like pound cake, the 1-2-3-4 cake gets its name from the proportions of its base ingredients: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, four eggs. It’s so straightforward, you may not even have to write it down—making it easy to impress friends and family with, oh, just a little something you whipped up.

    Almond-scented cake batter is swirled with traditional frangipane, which adds nutty flavor and tenderness to the crumb of this cake. Studded with berries and gently dusted with confectioners’ sugar, this Berry Frangipane Cake is simple but gorgeous. As a bonus, this recipe calls for frozen berries, meaning this recipe is always in season for baking.

    A staple in most Mediterranean kitchens, this light, and barely sweet Classic Olive Oil Cake is perfect for an afternoon snack or late-morning tea. A final brush of olive oil just before serving brings the fruity flavor to the front of your palate as soon as you take a bite.

    We took the classic French one-layer cake (our editor-in-chief’s favorite!) from round to rectangle in this Gâteau Basque Loaf. A tender, golden crust encases a surprise center of thick, velvety Custard Filling, a defining factor of the original gâteau Basque, with a thin layer of fresh blueberries to bring brightness to every slice.

    These cakes bring the ever-popular combination of strawberries and cream to each decadent slice. With homemade strawberry sauce swirled into each loaf, they’re just as beautiful as they are delicious.  LEGGI TUTTO

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    Banana Bliss: 10 Recipes for National Banana Day

    April 17 is National Banana Day, so that means it’s time to break out our favorite ways to bake with bananas. From classics like Banana Cake to new creations like Black Cocoa Banana Bread, we’re sharing ten recipes that your friends and family will go bananas over!

    This Sheet Pan Banana Split is a make-ahead dessert that is the ultimate party trick. With all the components of a banana split—jammy strawberry preserves, fresh bananas, rich ganache, and a buttery Waffle Cone Crust—packed into ready-made servings, you’ll be the magician of the kitchen with one swing of the freezer door.

    Oats in cake? Prepare to have your mind blown. Quick-cooking oats bring a revolutionary delicate crumb to this banana-and blueberry-packed layer cake. For a bright, tangy finish, we blanketed our cake with a smooth Buttermilk Frosting.

    A bite of these Mini Tropical Banana Bread loaves takes you on an island flavor getaway. Sweet pineapple, chewy coconut, and a tangy burst of Citrus Glaze combine for a sunny take on classic banana bread. 

    If there were ever a match made in heaven, it would be banana and peanut butter. Defatted peanut butter powder plays a transformative role in these tender Banana-Peanut Butter Biscuits, providing structure and all the nutty flavor you love without adding any additional oil to weigh down the biscuits.

    Ready for a bolder, more sophisticated take on the simple loaf? Time to bring out the Bundt pan. We roast the bananas and use tangy buttermilk to create an extra-smooth batter and tender crumb that translate beautifully to cake form. Buttery spiced rum paired with the gooey Roasted Bananas equals pure indulgence.

    Elegant but packing the homey, nostalgic flavor of peanut butter and banana, this braided bread is the perfect way to enjoy something classic in a gorgeous new package.

    The iconic flavors of banana and chocolate meet in our whimsical naked cake. Mashed banana adds a soft tenderness to the crumb of our buttermilk cake base while piped dollops of Chocolate Buttercream impart a boost of cocoa richness.

    Unlike regular cocoa, black cocoa is void of any acidity, so it’s able to deliver a deep cocoa punch without overpowering the banana flavor. This indulgent black cocoa banana bread is brimming with chocolate chips and smooth chunks of mashed banana.  LEGGI TUTTO

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    Crazy for Coconut: 6 Crave-Worthy Coconut Recipes

    Step into a coconut haven with our plethora of recipes all centered around this irresistible ingredient. Whether sprinkled onto a bun or stirred into a crust, the deliciousness of coconut can’t be denied. 

    Perfumed with coconut extract, swirled with silky whipped cream, and studded with sweetened coconut flakes, this Coconut Skillet Cake is the perfect finale to any meal. The coconut lover in your life is about to be your biggest fan.

    Skoleboller, or school buns, earned their name from the Norwegian tradition of including them in children’s school lunch boxes as a treat.

    The fun name for these large twisted doughnuts supposedly comes from their resemblance to the zig-zag pattern that the big cat’s swinging tail makes. If you’d like to keep the doughnut plain and get your coconut flavor through just the glaze, you can use all whole milk and vanilla extract in the dough.

    This pie isn’t French at all. In fact, it originated in United States port cities like New Orleans, Louisiana, and was first made with ingredients from French Guiana, which is likely how it got its name.

    Sometimes called Hello Dolly Bars (though no one knows why), these nostalgic treats are easy to make and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

    Blending one traditional Southern classic, the cloud-like coconut cake, with blushing stone fruit, this triple-layer cake is an undeniable showstopper. A final coating of toasted coconut flakes brings a dash of color to the typically snowy-white appearance. LEGGI TUTTO

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    7 Lemon Poppy Seed Recipes to Bake Now

    Step into a world of zesty delight with our collection of lemon poppy seed recipes. From cakes and cookies to bread and scones, enjoy these endlessly snackable creations. 

    We used the reverse creaming method to create a cake batter that bakes up nice and level with a delicate crumb to absorb every drop of the lemon curd between its layers.

    These soft, cake-like cookies stay moist for days thanks to a buttery dough that’s enriched with creamy ricotta cheese. Refrigerating the dough firms it up for easier scooping.

    Using candied fruits to decorate is a simple, easy way to elevate the look of your cakes as well as add another layer of texture in every bite.

    Poppy seeds are the traditional filling of these cookies, which are associated with the Jewish holiday Purim. The name refers to the villain of the Purim story, Haman.

    The delicate crunch of the streusel topping gives way to an aromatic, soft crumb. With added texture from the poppy seeds, you won’t be able to get enough of this Lemon-Poppy Seed Streusel Bread loaf. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an anytime treat.

    This Lemon Poppy Seed Coffee Cake is summer’s sweetest wake-up call. Buttermilk in the batter gives this one-layer wonder a cakey crumb that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy streusel topping.  LEGGI TUTTO

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    Our 12 Best Bakes for Easter Weekend

    Easter weekend is almost upon us and we’re egg-cited to share 12 marvelous bakes perfect for any gathering. Whether you’re gearing up to host a lavish Easter feast, searching for a standout recipe to impress your family, or simply eager to try something new, we’ve got you covered. These bakes are guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any celebration, be it brunch, lunch, dinner, or even a simple snack time. With flavors that sing of spring and festive touches like colorful mini eggs, get ready to discover a new recipe that will become a cherished tradition in your holiday lineup for years to come.

    There’s no reinventing the lemon meringue pie, so why not reimagine it—as Lemon Meringue Nests? Taking flavor cues from its classic inspiration, this recipe puts delicate, crunchy meringue in the spotlight with a sweet-tart lemon curd centerpiece.

    Yes, from its banana-and-Vanilla Wafer base to its toasted Swiss Meringue topping, this decadent Chocolate-Hazelnut-Banana Pudding is made completely from scratch—but with a chocolate-hazelnut twist.

    If you love lemon bars, you will LOVE this Meyer Lemon-Olive Oil Coffee Cake. Meyer lemons are less acidic and slightly sweeter than the standard lemons found in the grocery store, and provide a perfect balance against the tart lemon curd swirled into this silky batter.

    With spring officially sprung, there’s no better recipe to celebrate with than this light yet luscious Hummingbird Pie with Pecan Crust. This pie’s crust may look like any other, but it packs a surprising punch of Schermer Pecans, lending a light, toasted crunch to the deliciously flaky and buttery base of this pie. The nutty, slightly rich notes of pecan act as the perfect counterpoint to the sweet, fruity flavors of the filling. Slices of fresh banana are layered on top of the crisp pecan crust and then blanketed in a smooth pineapple coconut cream. Topped with a cloud of light and fluffy Whipped Cream, this pie is a cool treat sure to satisfy all through spring and even into the dog days of summer.

    Simple, elegant, and a touch whimsical, this Almond Bundt Cake with Coconut Glaze was made with Easter in mind. Nordic Ware’s 6 Cup Heritage Bundt Pan lends a mesmerizing swirl to this sour cream pound cake, forming the perfect canvas for our rich Coconut Glaze. Plus, the pan’s 6-cup capacity also offers a perfect portion of cake for a cozy family dinner. Finish the cake off with toasted coconut and candied chocolate eggs to make a centerpiece-worthy Easter egg nest.

    With just a touch of aromatic orange zest mixed in with the creamy condensed milk and flaked coconut base, these classic macaroons pair notes of chocolate and citrus within their sweet snowball packages.

    This sheet cake is our answer to those Italian Cream Cake cravings when time is short. Each bite crunches with buttery pecans and sweet coconut flakes, complemented by a swooping layer of whipped cream on top. 

    Triple your berry intake in the morning with these richly frosted buns. Slathered with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting and packed with poppy seeds and Strawberry Cream Cheese, these Strawberry Poppy Seed Buns are the splurge that you—and your strawberries—deserve.

    Who needs cream cheese frosting when you’ve got a layer of cheesecake filling? These bars combine two of our favorite cakes in one: crumbly chunks of carrot cake baked into a velvety layer of cheesecake. Fair warning: you may not be able to have one without the other again.

    A nostalgic ode to Easter candy, this Cadbury egg-studded cookie is all about the texture. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and with a boost of crunch from the candy-coated chocolate eggs, it’s a new and improved way to indulge in the iconic Easter treat.

    A true Easter delight, these Resurrection Rolls are meant to represent the empty tomb of Christ after being resurrected. The magic of these rolls lies in the marshmallow. Surrounded by a soft, sweet dough, as these rolls bake, the cinnamon sugar-coated marshmallow placed inside melts away, leaving a pocket of air in its place. They’re sweet, warmly spiced with cinnamon, and incredibly fun to bake for adults and kids alike.

    This recipe for Chocolate Cherry Hot Cross Buns supports the claim that chocolate does, in fact, make everything better. Add in tangy dried cherries, apple juice, and a finishing touch of our just-tart-enough apricot glaze, and this chocolate twist on the hot cross bun gives a whole new meaning to the word “irresistible.” LEGGI TUTTO

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    8 Sensational Small-Batch Bakes

    Whether you’re enjoying a solo cozy night in or celebrating a special occasion with a few friends, small-batch bakes are perfect for baking for a smaller crowd. From savory breads to dark chocolate cakes, these eight scaled-down recipes are sure to satisfy in their perfect portions.

    Cakey on the outside and filled with a mouthwatering center of molten dark chocolate, these lava cakes are the ultimate romantic dessert for two—just in time for Valentine’s Day.

    To share with a smaller crowd, we scaled down our Four-Cheese Pull-Apart Milk Bread to produce two mini-loaves. This recipe is a savory twist on Japanese milk bread, with a quartet of melted mozzarella, provolone, fontina, and cream cheese stuffed between buttery pull-apart layers. 

    In a 1997 episode of Julia Child’s Baking with Julia, Nancy Silverton baked a brioche tart that was so good it made Julia cry. In our take on this groundbreaking dessert, we filled a pillowy brioche “crust” with velvety cream cheese custard and swirled it with fruit preserves. Finished off with crunchy pearl sugar, this stunner might just make you shed a tear, too.

    There’s something so nostalgic about yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and sometimes, there’s just nothing better! These mini cakes will add a pop of color and sweetness to any celebration. 

    We’ve scaled down our Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars from a large rectangle pan to fit in a smaller square pan for those occasions when you want the classic carrot, pecan, and spiced flavor of carrot cake but need a recipe for a slightly smaller crowd.

    For these Coffee Tres Leches Cakes, luscious mini pound cakes get soaked in the classic trinity of milks, with shots of espresso and coffee liqueur added in for good measure. Topped with meringue and a sticky coffee syrup drizzle, this cake offers custard-like texture with oodles of coffee flavor.

    Seamlessly blending sweet and savory ingredients, this Small-Batch Fig and Onion Focaccia is perfect for dipping in your favorite olive oil, serving alongside pasta, or eating on its own.

    Cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie fans, this Black Cocoa Cookies and Cream Cake is for you! Rich black cocoa mixes with espresso powder for a delightful chocolate kick, and a creamy cookie-filled frosting sweetly finishes it. Find the Nordic Ware Charlotte Cake Pan and our book, Another Bundt Collection, in our store here! LEGGI TUTTO

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    Baking School In-Depth: Hungarian Coffee Cake

    The origin of Hungarian coffee cake is a true masterpiece called aranygaluska, which translates as “golden dumpling.” The recipe can be traced back to the 1880s in Hungarian literature. By the mid-20th century, it began popping up as Hungarian and Hungarian Jewish immigrant bakers and home cooks migrated and introduced it to the US. In […] LEGGI TUTTO

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    Pumpkin Cheesecake

    1 Make graham cracker pecan crust: Pulse pecans, flour, brown sugar, and graham cracker crumbs in a food processor. Add butter and egg yolk. Pulse until mixture is homogenous.
    Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F. Remove from oven and let cool.

    2 Press the pumpkin purée. Take the pumpkin purée and place it on several layers of paper towels. Cover with several layers of paper towels and use your hands to gently squeeze out liquid from the purée.
    Note that you will probably go through a lot of paper towels (can use tea towels too).

    3 Measure the pumpkin puree: Two 15-ounce cans of puréed pumpkin should yield a little more than 2 cups of purée with the excess moisture removed. Measure out 2 cups of purée; you want exactly 2 cups.
    4 Make the pumpkin base: Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, grated nutmeg, and allspice in a medium bowl. With a wooden spoon (no need for a mixer for this step), mix in the salt, 2 cups of pressed pumpkin purée, vanilla, and bourbon. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
    5 Make the cheesecake filling: In a large bowl (it helps to use a mixer for this step), beat the cream cheese and the brown sugar until fully creamed and smooth (no lumps). Gradually add the pumpkin mixture until fully incorporated.
    Bring a kettle of water to a boil.
    6 Line pan with 3 layers of thick foil: Place the springform pan with the crust in the middle of three layers of large sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil (to help prevent water-bath moisture from leaking into the pan). Fold the aluminum foil up the sides of the pan and trim. (You can also use a turkey roasting bag instead of the foil to keep the water out.)

    6 Pour filling into pan: Place the aluminum wrapped pan in a large roasting pan (large enough so that there is room on all sides). Pour the pumpkin cream cheese mixture into the springform pan.

    7 Add water to the roasting pan: Place the roasting pan containing the springform pan in a 325°F oven on the middle rack. Pour boiling water into the pan so that it comes halfway up the side of the springform pan.

    8 Bake and cool: Bake the cheesecake for 1 1/2 hours at 325°F. Turn off the oven heat and prop the oven door open. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven, cooling for another hour.
    Then remove from oven and let come to room temperature. Once it has cooled down, chill for several hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.
    9 When ready to serve, gently remove the cake from the springform pan: To do this well, I recommend a tip by Dorie Greenspan in her book Baking: From My Home to Yours. To help ensure that the cake doesn’t stick to the springform side as you unlock it, first run a blunt knife around the cake and then warm the sides of the pan with a hair dryer. Then carefully unlock the springform and lift off the sides.
    Serve cheesecake with caramel sauce, candied pecans, and whipped cream. LEGGI TUTTO