Blog: Recipes

For as long as Julia can remember, she’s loved to experiment in the kitchen – and not just with sweets! Here, you’ll find some of her favorite cookie recipes alongside those for cakes, icing, candies, savories, and even sippables. Though there’s lots to chew on here, you’ll have to get Julia’s books for access to all of her tried-and-true cookie recipes. Good news: She’s got a bunch of both books stocked under “SHOP”.

Julia M. Usher

Pistachio-Cranberry Brittle

I miss my mother-in-law. I didn’t tell many of you, but she passed away this fall. If you’ve lost someone you love, you know: the holidays can be tough. They bring with them a strange mixed bag of emotions. There’s

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Julia M. Usher

Pistachio (or Almond)-Rosewater Shortbread

When I’m at my island home-away-from-home where the über-fragrant Rugosa Rose grows with abandon on every roadside, I infuse the butter and sugar in this recipe with the real deal: the flower petals themselves. But, alas, not everyone is lucky

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Julia M. Usher

Lapsang Souchong-Star Anise Ice Cream

Love coffee ice cream, but seeking a slightly more daring flavor? Well then, try this smoked black tea (lapsang souchong) ice cream infused with a bit of orange zest and the exotic licorice-ness of star anise. If you prefer a

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Julia M. Usher

Cranberry-Cabernet Rosemary Sorbet

Granted, it may be a little chronologically inappropriate to post a cranberry recipe as we’re heading into summer on this continent. But the tartness of this sorbet makes it a refreshing palate cleanser even in the height of our dog

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Julia M. Usher

Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise (aka Aioli)

My rendition of aioli, though very garlicky, isn’t as biting as some, since the roasting of the garlic bulbs mellows their inherent sharpness. It’s also as delicious atop meat (see my Red, White, and Blue Burgers) as it is mixed into

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Julia M. Usher

Rhubarb-Apple Chutney

I’m not proud to admit to this behavior, but I await the arrival of rhubarb like a spoiled child anticipating the reckless ripping open of presents on Christmas Day. Once I spot the season’s first stalks, my eyes widen, visions

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Julia M. Usher

Red, White, and Blue Burgers

Though perfect for your Memorial Day or Fourth of July fête, this burger is tasty all year ‘round – and colorful, too! The red refers to the roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes mixed into the meat; the white to

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Julia M. Usher

Campy Cookie-Cake Pops

More assembly instructions than detailed baking how-to, this interactive (read: get-your-hands-dirty) dessert is infinitely adaptable! The concept? Each party-goer gets his/her own personalized roasting fork to deck out to taste. Here, I give two options for topping the forks: a

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Julia M. Usher

Espresso Granita Parfait

I liken this dessert to tiramisu, but without all of the carbs. Sans the traditional ladyfingers and with the espresso turned into ice, its luscious layers are more “light” and summer-like. I originally wrote this recipe in 2006 for an

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Julia M. Usher

Lavender Lemonade

Courtesy of my friends Deborah and Steve Nathe, owners of Winding Brook Estate, a 16-acre lavender farm in Eureka, Missouri, this recipe is one of their favorite ways to use farm-fresh (or dried) lavender in the dog days of summer

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Julia M. Usher

White Chocolate-Lavender Panna Cotta

A slightly more conservative, but equally tasty, spin on my orange-scented White Chocolate-Basil Panna Cotta! Yield: About five 1/2- to 3/4-cup servings Prep Talk: Either fresh or dried lavender buds will work just fine. Expect some trial and error to adjust the

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Julia M. Usher

Rugosa Rose Syrup

For some, summer in New England is marked by early morning wake-up calls from fishing boats revving up in the harbor for their day’s work. For others, it means lazy afternoons at the beach with warm sand between the toes, or sunsets that linger on the horizon. But for me, the sweetest of summer emblems is

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Julia M. Usher

Red Raspberry-Rose Sorbet

The base of this rosy sorbet is a mixture of raspberry purée and simple syrup (1 part sugar to 1 part water) infused with the essence of Rosa Rugosa, my favorite summertime flower. (For a glimpse of this lovely, see

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Julia M. Usher

Mixed Seed Wafers

An enticing dichotomy, this Cookie Swap treat is thin and crisp, yet packed with the robust flavor you’d expect of a bulkier cookie! The seeds make it a natural fit for a spring garden party, too! Yield: 3 1/2 to 4

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Julia M. Usher

Roasted Garlic-Chive Cheesecake

Though less common than sweet versions, savory cheesecakes are no more difficult – and just as satisfying. To morph sweet into savory, simply omit the sugar, use crackers or toasted bread in lieu of graham crackers or cookies for the

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