The combination of sweet and savory ingredients in a dessert is one that is good all year round, but it seems to be even better during the fall for some reason. Maybe it’s the fact that desserts with both sweet and savory elements have a more satisfying feel to them than sweets alone. Whatever the case, I was inspired by many sweet and savory recipes this week for holiday baking.
- For a sweet and savory combination, these Peanut Butter Pretzel Bacon Cookies from Life Made Sweet are hard to beat. The cookies start with a sweet peanut butter cookie base that is loaded with crushed pretzels and crispy, coarsely chopped bacon. The smoky and salty notes of the bacon, as well as the salt on the pretzels, helps the nutty flavor of the peanut butter stand out even more and leaves you with a cookie that is complex and addictive.
- Pretzels and peanut butter are also paired together in Bake or Break‘s Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Pretzel Crust. Pretzels are finely crushed and blended with butter and brown sugar to create a slightly salty crust that is a neat alternative to a traditional graham cracker crust. Again, the salt serves to bring out the nutty flavor of the peanut butter in the cheesecake filling so that it doesn’t get overwhelmed by the tangy cream cheese. The cheesecake is finished with a little chocolate glaze and a sprinkle of toffee.
- Rosemary Apple Pie from Everyday Art also has a sweet and savory combination, but this time it comes from herbs and not bacon. The crust for this pie is infused with dried rosemary, which is a delicious combination with apples and one that is typically only seen in savory dishes. It lends a lot of complexity to this otherwise simple pie and makes a fun variation from a basic recipe.
- Yes to Yolk‘s Brussels Sprout, Gruyere, & Bacon Quiche is a savory tart that will bring you back for seconds with its great combination of flavors. The quiche is packed with roasted Brussels sprouts – the best kind of brussels sprout – plenty of bacon, savory gruyere and just the right hint of thyme. This flavor combination is perfect for fall, when brussels sprouts are in season, and you’re looking for a comforting, one-dish meal that can be served as a casual dinner or as a party dish for company.
- For holiday entertaining, Cake and Bourbon‘s Gingerbread Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches are a great option. The ice cream sandwiches have spicy gingersnap cookies sandwiching creamy pumpkin ice cream (and homemade pumpkin ice cream is the way to go in this recipe) for a treat that captures all those classic flavors of fall – in a form that can easily be made ahead and stored in your freezer. Even though the weather outside may be chilly, ice cream sandwiches are a welcome treat for both kids and adults all year round.