Christmas

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.

These simple, flavorful walnuts go perfectly with our Herbed Baked Brie.

Any dark caramel-flavored liquor will work with this; it’s particularly good with rye whiskey or rum.

If you’re feeling really decadent and fancy (as you should), add a splash of half-and-half or heavy cream just before serving.

Caramelized white chocolate forms the base of this rich ganache confection; the snowballs are more like truffles than cookies.

If you don’t have any (or don’t like) hazelnuts, try this autumnal treat with coconut flakes, pecans, walnuts, or peanuts—or simply leave them out.

Is this caramel cream-puff skyscraper a showstopper? Yes. Is it a major-league project? Yes! Here’s the strategy: Make the puffs and the pastry cream a couple of days in advance, then tackle assembly on the morning of the day you plan to serve this.

The gelatin in the mousse stabilizes it, so you can make and fill the roll a day ahead without worrying about it weeping or deflating.

You’ll have enough honey syrup that you can easily scale up this cocktail for a crowd. Created in partnership with Chef Watson.

This stuffed ribeye roast recipe (or rib eye, depending on who you ask), is a holiday showstopper.

If your ham is larger (say, in the 14–16-pound range), it will take about an hour longer to get hot. Learn how to make the ham in this video.

Drying the cooked potatoes in the pan means that they'll absorb that much more flavor from your herb-infused dairy. Don't skip this step!

Using whole walnuts means there's more area for the seeds to get stuck and add crunch.

Store the finished nuts in an air-tight container to prevent stickiness.

This pecan fudge recipe is similar in flavor to caramelized white chocolate. Tangy buttermilk tempers the sweetness.

We especially like the combination of parsnips, kohlrabi, and celery root in this bacony mash. Prepare the dish a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld (and save time on Thanksgiving Day).