Christmas

Whether you prefer the buttery richness of classic party mix, or you’re on the sugarcoated puppy chow team, this recipe has you covered. 

Yes, this is an impressive-looking, deliciously savory tart, and no, it’s not at all difficult to make.

Why shouldn’t sticky toffee pudding be baked in a classic Bundt shape and bathed in a salted toffee sauce? Yep, we couldn’t think of a reason either.

This croquembouche is constructed with cheesy gougères and an herbed cheese filling. It’s the showstopping holiday appetizer you didn’t know you needed.

Six-ingredient cookies for people who don't think they can bake cookies.

This is a labor of love that will make other people love you, which is reason enough to give this recipe a try.

Think of this as the weeknight version of a classic Italian porchetta—it's not traditional, but it sure is delicious.

So. Much. Cheese.

These cheesy bites puff in the oven and taste like gougères, aka fancy French cheese puffs, but this recipe makes them way easier.

You may be able to find pre-made everything spice in the grocery store for these palmiers. If not, it’s easy enough to make. Double the recipe and keep it around for topping plain yogurt.

Starting with store-bought puff pastry for this recipe means these crispy, buttery, savory palmiers only look hard.

You can create a variety of shapes and colors with a cookie press. We love OXO’s cookie press for this recipe since it has sturdy metal plates and all the parts unscrew easily for cleaning.

There is just no getting around the fact that almond paste is indispensable for these meringue-like cookies; it transforms their flavor and helps them brown evenly. Some brands sell in a tube; others will be in a can in the baking aisle. Using the tube is ideal since the canned might be looser, but either works for this recipe.

Crush candies in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Using a hand mixer is more effective than a stand mixer for this chocolate-peppermint fudge recipe.

The best way to tackle this duck recipe is to braise the legs and make the relish in advance, then cook the breasts and crisp the legs on party night.

Brown butter and rosemary are the ultimate, timeless pairing for sweet potatoes. Making your own breadcrumbs from sourdough bread shoots this recipe into all-star status, but using store-bought in a pinch is perfectly fine too.

The freshness of the blanched green beans and crisp apple cider vinegar help cut through a heavier meal.

What makes this peanut butter cookie recipe The Best? Well, there’s a few reasons actually. We call for natural peanut butter so that you can dial the sugar and salt amounts exactly. Instead of just adding roasted peanuts from the can, we roast them a second time for even more peanutty flavor. And the pan of water in the oven creates a burst of steam that gives the finished cookies the perfect crunchy-chewy texture. Now you know! This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Don’t scoff at the sour cherries in this Chex mix recipe! Their sweet bite and chewy texture are the perfect foil for all the crunch and salt and spice. But if you’re really not into it, sub mini chocolate chips instead.