Candy

Pop one of these in your mouth for a burst of bittersweet flavor.

The combination of chocolate and coconut makes for a luscious treat.

Cooking times may vary slightly because of differences in microwave power.

The brittle is a great gift on its own.

This is a wonderful combination of cookie and candy, with the crumbly crust serving as counterpoint to the chewy caramel topping. For a nice presentation, place the cookies in paper candy cups, and set the cups in a basket; wrap clear cellophane around the basket, tie it up with raffia and decorate it with pine cones. Save the irregularly shaped leftover cookies to enjoy as a snack.

The sophisticated chocolates are deceptively easy to make and are particularly nice with coffee (and Cognac) after a special meal.

These sweet and spicy nuts — which go great with drinks — would make a nice hostess gift.

Loose tea leaves tend to be of higher quality than tea bags, giving the truffles a fresher, more distinct flavor. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr

Salt and caramel are longstanding companions, but many chefs are playing with the balance to heighten intensity. Begin making these treats one day ahead to allow time for chilling.

"I make a variety of candies for holiday gifts, and I always include these," writes Chloe Chapman of Portland, Oregon. "A friend of mine from the South, says that the filling tastes just like penuche, a creamy fudge-like candy made with brown sugar and butter." For proper texture, it’s important to cool the candy mixture to 112°F (but no cooler).

You can sometimes find candied orange peel in stores, but it is typically thicker, chewier, and more moist than candied zest. It will also never have the intense citrusy flavor of candied zest you make yourself.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

We recommend tempering the chocolate used for coating the patties, as it will result in glossier, firmer shells. Experiment with your favorite cookie cutters to create original patty shapes.