7. Mascarpone Pretzel Strawberry Tart
By swapping the traditional cream cheese filling with vanilla bean-scented Mascarpone Cream and replacing the congealed topping with fresh strawberries, we’ve given this classic pastry a modern salty-sweet makeover.
Both sweet and tart, lemon bars are as at home at a ladies’ luncheon as they are at a picnic. They’re like the little black dress of Southern sweets. This recipe will keep you stocked up all summer long. Find more classically Southern recipes in our May/June Southern Themed Issue, here.
Indulge in this dreamy Tres Leches Cake, a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with toasty meringue.
10. Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Pie
For a hint of subtle heat, we added a pinch of black pepper to the crust of this rich Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Pie. It’s the perfect cake-pie combo to make for your Valentine!
You read that right. This Layered Meringue Terrine calls for a perfect dessert union of meringue and ice cream. Infused with Irish cream, chocolatey fudge, and—oh yes—meringue cookies, it won’t take long for this chilled decadence to vanish from your freezer.
A rich coating of sweetened mascarpone and a hidden meringue layer make this cake a one-of-a-kind treat that will impress any guest.
13. Plum Icebox Cake
Icebox cakes let you use your refrigerator as an oven, and in the height of summer, that’s pretty much the best way to bake. For this recipe, we like to make the Tarragon Vanilla Wafers in the cool of the evening, and then have them ready to layer when it’s time to make our cake. In fact, nearly all the elements of this recipe can be made ahead, so it’s an easy one to whip together when you’re expecting guests.
14. Pots de Crème
This silky dessert is a big step up from your basic pudding—it eats more like the center of a really good chocolate truffle.
