1 cup shortening 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (about 4 cups) 3 tablespoon milk

1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (4-1/4 cups) 3 tablespoon meringue powder ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup warm water 1 teaspoon vanilla **Tip: Meringue powder is a mixture of pasteurized dried egg whites, sugar, and edible gums. Look for it in the baking aisle of your supermarket or at a specialty food store.

2 sprigs fresh parsley 2 sprigs fresh thyme 1 1 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced 3 inch stick cinnamon ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns ½ teaspoon coriander seeds 2 bay leaves

½ cup butter or unsalted butter ½ cup half-and-half or light cream ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla Bourbon Sauce ¼ cup margarine or butter ½ cup sugar 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoon water 2 tablespoon bourbon Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding: Prepare as above except substitute chocolate milk for the milk and semisweet chocolate pieces for the raisins. Omit nutmeg and add 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted....

Tips Use pasteurized eggs if serving to those with compromised immune systems.

How to Make a Leopold Bench and Table What you’ll need: Pine lumber: 8-foot length (2x6)10-foot length (2x8)10-foot length (2x10) Hardware: 6 of ⅜x3½-inch carriage bolts6 of ⅜-inch washers6 of ⅜-inch nuts20 #14x3½-inch wood screws2 sets of sawhorsesTape measureStraightedge rulerPencilEye and ear protectionAdjustable bar clamps: 2 of 24-inch, and 3 of 12-inchCircular saw100-grit sanding block or spongeLight blue self-priming exterior paintPaintbrushDark blue spray paintFresh ferns and foliageNewspaperPower drill Drill bits:...

Bacon-Buttermilk Dressing: Prepare as above, except cook 4 slices bacon until crisp; drain and crumble, reserving 1 tablespoon bacon drippings. Stir crumbled bacon and bacon drippings into dressing just before serving. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Makes about 1-1/3 cups.

Cake Decorating Idea: Add Piping Using a pastry bag with a large star tip will help you re-create the look of this cake. Tint each row of frosting a darker shade to produce an ombré effect. To give your cake a sophisticated look, pipe your frosting through a decorating bag ($10, Michael’s) fitted with a decorating tip. These cake decorating tools are generally inexpensive and easy to find. To get started, look for these shapes in a set of decorating tips:...

There are hundreds of products on sale right now, from electronics to home decor. A few of our favorite deals include furniture from the Better Homes & Gardens line (some pieces are up to $100 off!), and you won’t want to miss out on these prices. Tufted Storage Ottoman ($80, orig. $100) 4-Cube Organizer Storage Bench ($99, orig. $130) Herringbone TV Stand ($129, orig. $149) Lounge Chair ($199, orig. $300) Rustic Country Coffee Table ($130, orig....

Tips If you don’t have a cookie press, shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Arrange 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake, cool, and drizzle with icing as directed. Makes 64.

1 ½ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup water ½ teaspoon lemon juice 1 cup whipping cream

If you’re not familiar with the celebration, here’s what you should know about the holiday. What Is Holi? Holi (pronounced how-lee) is a Hindi festival that celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring. It’s a two-day festival that begins on the date of the first full moon in March (called the Holika Dahan). That evening, celebrants typically light a bonfire to represent burning away any bad energy from the past season....

1 ½ cup powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract 3 teaspoon milk

The finished pear pie cuts nicely for the chef and the meringue looks perfect. Surprisingly, deBoschnek’s first bite turns out to be more light and airy than a dense, cheesecake-like treat. And if you’re worried about using canned pears in this recipe, the chef assures the soft pears “totally hold up” and are not overcooked.