A recipe of decadent brittle makes wonderful gifts, a little goes a long way! Portion and package festively for teachers, coworkers, and friends.

Makes 2 1⁄2 pounds (approx. 27 servings).
Prep time: 1 hour;
20 minutes active

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1⁄3 cup light corn syrup
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 1⁄2 cups roasted salted peanuts or cashews plus
  an optional 1⁄4 cup, finely chopped
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, melted

METHOD

1. Line a large sheet pan with a rim with parchment paper.
2. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, water, butter and corn syrup and bring to a boil to create caramel. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the caramel is light brown and registers 300°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the baking soda. The mixture will bubble. Stir in the nuts, then immediately scrape the brittle onto the prepared baking sheet. Using the back of a large spoon (oil it lightly if it sticks), spread the brittle into a thin, even layer. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
3. Spread melted chocolate over the brittle, sprinkle with the finely chopped nuts, if using, then chill. Break the brittle into large shards. Store in airtight containers for up to two weeks.

Makes 48 3-inch cookies.
Prep time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1⁄2 cups unbleached flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1⁄4 cup light brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg

Royal Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar, approximately
• 1 large pasteurized egg white or 2 1⁄2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons water, approximately

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1⁄2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup poppy seeds
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons raisins, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon zest

METHOD

1. Cream butter and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add flour, sugar, salt and beat to combine. Form 2 disks, wrap in plastic wrap; chill 4 hours.
2. In a coffee grinder, grind poppy seeds coarsely then heat in a pan with milk, honey, raisins, and zest. Stir over medium-low until thickened, approx. 20 minutes, then cool completely.
3. Preheat oven to 325ºF and line two sheet pans with parchment. Roll out dough to make two 12" rounds about 1⁄8" thick, then spread each with half the filling. Use a pizza cutter to cut each round in 12 wedges. Roll up each piece from the wide end, bend in tips to make a crescent. Place on pan, chill 1 hour.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, switching the pans between oven racks halfway through.
5. When done, cool cookies on pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.