Chocolate Date Roll Cookies with Crunchy Nut Filling How can I make these date roll cookies nut-free? Replace the peanut butter with a seed butter such as sunflower seed butter or tahini. For crunch, you can use toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds in place of chopped nuts. Be sure to check that any chocolate used is free of cross-contamination with nuts if serving someone with a nut allergy. The rest of the base—dates and chocolate—are naturally nut-free, so it’s an easy adaptation that still preserves the richness and texture of the original date roll cookies. Do the date roll … Read more

Lemon Tart with Meringue How far in advance can I make this lemon tart with meringue? Up to 24 hours in advance, keeping it refrigerated until ready to serve. The tart base and lemon filling hold up well overnight, and the flavor even improves slightly with rest. However, for best presentation, it’s ideal to prepare and toast the meringue on the day you plan to serve it. This ensures the meringue stays fluffy and doesn’t weep. If necessary, you can whip and apply the meringue a few hours ahead and refrigerate uncovered, but avoid covering it tightly, which may cause … Read more

Roasted Strawberry Pastry with Mascarpone Cream How far in advance can I prepare strawberry pastry? It’s best to assemble it just before serving. You can prepare each component in advance—bake and cool the puff pastry, roast and chill the strawberries, and whip the mascarpone cream—then store them separately in airtight containers. The puff pastry can be stored at room temperature for up to a day, while the strawberries and cream should be refrigerated. Assembling more than an hour in advance will lead to moisture from the cream and berries softening the pastry. For best texture, wait until the last moment … Read more

Kataifi Rolls with Pistachios and Cream Cheese How can I prevent kataifi rolls from falling apart? It’s essential to let them cool completely before handling. When warm, the kataifi pastry is delicate and more likely to break. Wrap the molds with parchment paper before rolling, as this helps reduce sticking. Once baked and cooled, hold the kataifi roll gently with one hand and slowly slide out the parchment from the other side. Avoid using force, and always work patiently. Can I prepare these kataifi rolls in advance and freeze them? The kataifi rolls can be prepared in advance and frozen, … Read more