Here’s What We’re Baking (and Making) for Dessert in March
Whether you’re craving a classic brownie or looking for a way to use up the last of your winter citrus, these recipes will keep you baking all month long.
Iain Bagwell
Baking through the colder months of winter and spring is a great way to keep your house warm, cozy, and full of sweet smells. In March, pears and citrus take over the front of fruit stands. While the pears may not be as soft as they will be come April, they’re just right for baking. We use sliced Comice pears in a simple recipe for a clafoutis, which is somewhere between a baked custard and pancake. The pears sink into the surface of the bake, without losing their shape and tenderness.
Citrus is almost overwhelming as it dominates the winter fruit scene at grocery stores and farmers markets. From Meyer lemons to kumquats and blood oranges, the sweet and savory ways to utilize citrus are nearly endless. We’ve gathered some simple and standout desserts to use up all of those citrus fruits, like a lemon meringue cake and orange trifle; or you can start practicing recipes for your Easter spread with orange hot cross buns.
I’ve been searching for sweeter ways to enjoy my afternoon espresso, and this recipe for coffee and almond milk granita is a treat and a caffeine boost wrapped into one. If you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up that won’t keep you up all night, a scoop of nectarine rose gelato is sure to power you through the rest of your workday.
More Videos From Sunset
Don’t forget to get baking for breakfast or weekend brunch with a classic bread pudding or a blueberry studded dutch baby served with Meyer lemon curd. The curd will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks and adds a puckery sweetness to simple breakfasts like pancakes or a piece of toast long after the dutch baby is eaten up. Find even more of our favorite recipes to bake this month below!
Lemon Meringue Cake
Butter cake meets classic lemon meringue pie in this recipe. We used a loaf pan to change the shape of the cake—a simple twist that dramatically alters the presentation.
Comice Pear Clafoutis
Somewhere between a custard and a pancake, you’ll find clafoutis. This version of the classic French dessert, made with slightly floral comice pears, is best when the stem end of the pears yields slightly to the touch, signaling that the fruit is flavorful but neither hard nor squishy.
Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Marshmallow Filling
These chocolate cupcakes have a secret: They’re loaded with marshmallow cream filling. If you grew up on store-bought snack cakes, these family-friendly desserts will blow your mind and are the perfect dessert for a chilly evening treat.
Buttery Semolina Currant Cookies
While fresh currants are in season right now, the dried variety is easier to find at the store. The sandy texture of these shortbread-like cookies comes from semolina flour, made from durum wheat, which is usually used for pasta.
Classic Bread Pudding
You can’t go wrong with a classic bread pudding made with simple ingredients and flavored with vanilla and nutmeg.
Coffee and Almond Milk Granita
This is a frozen dessert version of an almond latte and is creamy, nutty, and highly caffeinated. Make it with decaf coffee if you’re sensitive to caffeine later in the day.
Orange Hot Cross Buns
You’ll need to plan ahead to find or make candied orange peel to add a necessary pop of citrus flavor in these buns—though it’s totally worth the effort.
Dark Chocolate Brownies
These classic chocolate brownies are the type of treat we dream of eating on a cold night. Topped with chocolate glaze and studded with nuts, it will be hard to have just one of these.
Blueberry Dutch Baby with Lemon Curd
This showstopping breakfast “pancake” is an easy way to feed a crowd without having to spend time over the stove flipping individual flapjacks.
Orange Trifle with Grand Marnier Cream
This trifle is sure to use up the last of any oranges you have on hand. The recipe calls for at least a dozen oranges that are used for their zest, segmented slices, and leftover juice.
Search All of Sunset’s Recipes
Keep Reading:
The Latest
This Oakland Kitchen’s Makeover Was Inspired by the Homeowner’s Late Mother
