Pistachio

Frangipane is a classic pastry filling with ground almonds. Here, pistachios are also added. Both the pastry and the filling can be made one day before baking.

This recipe, a refined trail mix if you will, is based on mendiants, a traditional French Christmas dish that consists of almonds, figs, hazelnuts, and raisins. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less

Because the more traditional dark fruitcakes aren't really to her liking, senior editor Sarah Belk created this one, filled with her favorite nuts and dried fruits. To make these gifts even more festive, she suggest decorating the glazed cakes with additional dried fruits and nuts.

(Pistachio Wafers Layered with Strawberries and Cream)

This dressing is best cooked in a dish of its own, which also allows the top layer of bread to brown to an appealing crisp.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min

Colorful bits of cranberries, walnuts, and pistachios make these simple cookies sparkle for the holidays.

A rich candy-bar-like dessert that can be made in stages, and even completed three days before a party. Fresh strawberries make a nice garnish.

To help this crisp live up to its name, we devised a little trick: Squeeze the topping by handfuls to compact it, then crumble chunks of it over the filling. The chunks rest on top of the fruit instead of sinking into it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Rich chocolate cookies get some Mexican flair when spiced up with cinnamon, cloves and cayenne pepper. Blanched almonds or pistachios can be used instead of cherries.

Frangipane is a classic pastry filling made with ground almonds. Here, pistachios are used instead.