Olive Oil–Yogurt Cake

Whole-milk yogurt gives this traditional cake tang and richness, and extra-virgin olive oil offers subtle, fruity notes. Olive Oil–Yogurt Cake SERVES 12 WHY THIS RECIPE

Orange Polenta Cake

Toasted polenta delivers deep corn flavor to this rustic upside-down cake featuring sweet, caramelized oranges. Orange Polenta Cake SERVES 12 WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS A

Almond Cake

We use the food processor to grind the almonds and make the batter for our classic almond cake. Almond Cake SERVES 12 WHY THIS RECIPE

Baklava

Slicing baklava all the way through before baking allows the pastry to soak up more of the flavorful sugar syrup. Baklava MAKES 32 to 40

Fig Phyllo Cookies

We roll confectioners’ sugar–coated phyllo around a jammy fig filling for attractive cookies that hold their shape. Fig Phyllo Cookies MAKES about 24 cookies WHY

Pignoli

These traditional Italian cookies get their richness and flavor from slivered almonds, pine nuts, and sugar. Pignoli MAKES about 18 cookies WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS