Fresh Flower–Topped Pound Cakes

Name: Fresh Flower–Topped Pound Cakes
Yield: makes 36
Ingredients: 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature; 2 cups sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 9 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten; Swiss Meringue Buttercream (vanilla-bean variation, page 305); Fresh edible flowers, such as marigolds, violets, pansies, or nasturtiums (see Sources, page 342)

January 24, 2012

There’s no need to perfect your piping skills to create beautiful flower-topped cupcakes. Instead, adorn them with a few fresh, edible flowers. Some of the best-tasting varieties include nasturtiums, pansies, hibiscus, snapdragons, violets, and marigolds (pictured). Use only flowers grown without pesticides, either from your own organic garden or from specialty suppliers. When making the little pound cakes, remember to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly to produce the right texture.

Recipe notes

Chewy Glazed Lemon Cookies

The zest of three whole lemons gives these cookies a no-holds-barred citrus flavor.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

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

White Bean Turkey Chili

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

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

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

Béchamel Sauce

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

Diner-Style Apple Pie With Lattice Crust

Cut this easy-to-handle dough (thanks, cream cheese) into wide strips for a fast-forming lattice that stuns.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Chocolate Pie

Reminiscent of a classic diner dessert, this chocolate cream pie offers pure comfort in a cookie crust.