Test KitchenHow to Test Baking Soda and Baking Powder to See If They’re Expired When your pancakes come out too flat or your cake doesn’t rise, your leavener might be old. Here’s how to do a baking powder and baking soda test.
RecipesCranberry-Orange Sangria Letting this sangria sit in the fridge overnight improves the fruitiness, making it the perfect make-ahead drink for a holiday party. It’s also nice with a splash of brandy. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
RecipesSouthwest Chicken Chili Chicken thighs are a nice change of pace in this easy chili. I also use a smoked ham hock and fresh cilantro for flavor and to keep the dish interesting. —Phyllis Beatty, Chandler, Arizona
RecipesBaked Ham Tetrazzini Rich, creamy pasta and cubed ham blend perfectly in this hearty meal for two. It’s a great way to use up leftover holiday ham. —Elvi Kaukinen, Horseheads, New York
RecipesLemony White Chocolate Cheesecake Although it takes some time to prepare this eye-catching cheesecake, the combination of tangy lemon and rich white chocolate is hard to beat. It’s always a hit! —Marlene Schollenberger, Bloomington, Indiana
Test Kitchen9 Genius Ways to Make Better Scalloped Potatoes Rich, creamy and filling, scalloped potatoes are the gold standard when it comes to comfort food. From tweaking the flavor to tips for leftovers, here are tricks to boost them from basic to brilliant.
RecipesBBQ Beef Brisket with Horseradish Cream Chipotle peppers give a nice hint of heat to tender slices of oven-braised brisket. The cool, creamy horseradish sauce also adds a bit of zip.—Janine Talley, Orlando, Florida
RecipesSausage Spaghetti Spirals My family loves this flavorful casserole with hearty chunks of sausage and green pepper. The recipe makes a big pan, so it’s nicely sized for a potluck. —Carol Carolton, Wheaton, Illinois
RecipesMerlot Filet Mignon Although this is such a simple recipe, you can feel confident serving it to any guests. The rich sauce adds a touch of elegance. Just add a salad and rolls. —Jauneen Hosking, Waterford, Wisconsin
RecipesSlow-Cooked Stuffed Pepper Stew This is my go-to pepper stew. When my garden yields green peppers, I dice and freeze them for those cold, blustery days to come.—Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
RecipesMascarpone Cheesecake This rich dessert is sure to delight with its creamy filling, whipped topping and sweet caramel drizzle. It makes a fitting ending to a special meal. —Deanna Polito-Laughinghouse, Raleigh, North Carolina
RecipesGolden Gouda Mushroom Soup Here’s a fantastic first course for guests. Rich, creamy and cheesy, it will warm you from the inside out and stir your appetite for what’s to come. —Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia
RecipesStrawberry Cheesecake Trifle For a dessert that looks as great as it tastes, this one can’t be beat! Layers of rich pound cake, luscious cream and sweet strawberries make this treat very inviting. —Marnie Stoughton, Glenburnie, Ontario
RecipesEggs Benedict with Dill Sauce Here’s an extra-special way to make eggs Benedict— this recipe has all the richness but the sauce is much easier to make than a traditional Hollandaise.—Mary Louise Lever, Rome, Georgia
RecipesDelightful Apple-Pineapple Drink Chase winter doldrums and chills with this warm and tangy fruit drink that will appeal to both kids and adults. Not overly sweet, it has a nice touch of nutmeg and cinnamon. —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
RecipesFennel au Gratin Here’s a lovely variation on traditional potatoes au gratin. Rich and buttery, this baked side dish has just the right amount of fennel flavor. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana