Make Ahead

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

The biscotti may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Sanding sugar is used to coat the biscotti because it won’t melt in the oven. We dipped half of the batch in melted chocolate. To dip them all, double the amount of bittersweet chocolate.

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

The custard-filled crust can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Wait until just before serving to cut the dessert into bars; if crumbs and filling stick to the knife, wipe the blade clean between slices. Then decorate each bar with whipped cream. If you don’t have a pastry bag, use a resealable plastic bag with a corner cut off.

These spice-laden cookies originated in colonial New England; the candied ginger is our own addition. As the name implies, the bars are best after being hidden away for a day or two, so the flavors have a chance to deepen.

Be sure your kitchen is well ventilated when you soak the New Mexican and guajillo chiles; their vapors can be a mild irritant.

Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

The lined baking sheets can be marked with flour-dipped cookie cutters to help guide you in piping the dough into uniform shapes. (See how-to on page 652.)

Purchase high-quality pistachios, and pick through the nuts for the greenest ones. After roasting, rub the nuts between your palms to eliminate as much of the brown skin as possible.