Name: Cranberry Cognac Trifle
Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients: 12 large egg yolks; 2 1/4 cups sugar; 6 tablespoons whole milk; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 6 large egg whites; Cranberry jam; Cognac syrupepi:recipelink; Rich custardepi:recipelink; 1 1/3 cups chilled heavy cream; 1/4 cup confectioners sugar; 2 tablespoons Cognac or other brandy; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla; Garnish: sugared cranberries and mint leaves; 3 (15- by 10- by 1/2-inch) baking pans and a 3 1/2-quart straight-sided glass trifle or soufflé dish

Image may contain Confectionery Food Sweets Plant Dessert and Produce

Cranberry Cognac Trifle

This impressive dessert is the sum of many parts that can each be made several days in advance. Assemble the trifle the day before serving to allow the cake to absorb the custard and the flavors to fully develop.

Active time: 2 1/2 hr Start to finish: 13 hr

Cooks' notes:

• Resist the temptation to bake more than 1 cake layer at a time; layers will bake extremely unevenly. • Cake layers can be baked 2 days ahead of assembling and chilled, wrapped well, or frozen up to 1 month. • Trifle can be assembled (before topping with cream) up to 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

Recipe notes

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Brussels Sprout Pasta

This brussels sprout pasta recipe taps nutty brown butter, crunchy pecans, and hot Italian sausage to create an easy dinner bursting with fall flavors.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

French Silk Pie

A no-bake Oreo crust, a rich chocolate filling, and a tower of whipped cream come together in this shut-the-room-up dessert.