Dessert Person with Claire Saffitz

Take a look behind the scenes at the making of the Dessert Person cookbook with Claire Saffitz, photographer Alex Lau, food stylist Sue Li, and prop stylist Astrid Chastka. Video brought to you by the inimitable Vincent Cross with lots of help from Tim Sauer.

Watch Claire Saffitz make soft & crispy focaccia, a recipe from her cookbook, Dessert Person. Not only is the recipe forgiving, making it a great introduction to breadmaking for novice bakers, it's incredibly versatile and serves as the perfect accompaniment to any meal (hello, soup weather!). You might be surprised to see just how easy it is to make a tall, fluffy, light focaccia.

In this video Claire will show you a method to help coax out some moisture to help correct the typical problems that happen when making tarts, and leave you with a delicious tarte tatin that is every bit as good as the traditional version. Claire believes this recipe with buttery pastry, caramel, and apples can not be beat in a dessert.

In this episode, Claire Saffitz makes the best oatmeal cookies, the Oat & Pecan Brittle Cookies recipe from her book Dessert Person. This chewy, butterscotchy oat cookie might not be the kind you can casually whip up on a whim. But, if you go through the steps to make it, you will be rewarded with hands-down the most delicious oat cookie you've ever tried.

Fortunately you need no special occasion to make this delicious, celebratory, kid-friendly, and deeply nostalgic confetti cake. A tender white birthday cake studded with rainbow sprinkles and covered in smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting, it tastes like childhood (which is to say, better than the box).

Claire's favorite brownie is chocolatey but not too intense brownies with multiple textures, but chewiness above all. Enter, Claire's recipe for Malted Forever Brownies -- so good, it’s pretty much the only one she plans on making until the end of time.

Claire Saffitz goes through and explains her 13 essential kitchen tools, most of them small, simple and inexpensive, that put her (and all home bakers) on the road to success. Do you need them all? Maybe not. But if you’re committed to learning how to bake at home, these certainly help.

Follow Claire as she walks you through the steps to getting those telltale nooks and crannies in your English muffins and how to make sure they cook all the way through in a skillet or griddle. Whether you like it sweet with jam or savory as the base of a breakfast sandwich, you’ll love the versatility of a freshly cooked English muffin.

Part of being a dessert person is celebrating all the possibilities that baking offers -- in this episode, it’s a beautiful savory tart filled with caramelized onion and endive and topped with a fresh, bright salad of bitter and tender greens (this salad pizza is all dressed up). Who said baking can’t be dinner?

What makes the best chocolate chip cookies? In Claire’s opinion, it’s a chewy edge, soft and chewy center, puddles of chocolate (in this case, dark and milk), a healthy amount of salt, and, crucially, lots of butterscotch-y flavor from the interplay of vanilla, brown sugar, and brown butter. That might sound like a lot, but it all comes together easily in a couple of bowls, no stand mixer required.

Let me tell you a story about rhubarb. It’s a vegetable -- a stalk more specifically -- that grows every spring and has a piercing tart flavor and pretty ruby red hue. Some people don’t like the flavor, but those people don’t get what a special flavor and texture it has! In this rhubarb cake, Claire uses it three ways -- placed in decorative rows on top, cooked down into mush and incorporated into the batter, and chopped and folded into the cake. It’s a celebration of rhubarb, a harbinger of warm weather and an inspiration to dessert people everywhere.

After months of isolation, Claire is overjoyed to welcome kindred spirit dessert people -- friends, colleagues, fellow pastry chefs -- into her kitchen to bake something together. First up in this series we’re calling (what else) Dessert People? Claire's good friend and food stylist (maybe you've seen her work in Dessert Person?) Sue Li. Watch Sue and Claire attempt to make swirled meringue cookies, mostly fail, and then drown their sorrows in a comforting and delicious meatball recipe that Sue has loved since childhood. It's fun, a tad crazed, and delightful.

Ever have a burning baking question you wished you could ask a real baking expert? Does your pie dough flop instead of flake? Ever botched a batch of brownies without knowing why? Well, you might have these questions answered because Claire is here to address all your burning queries in this new mini-series called Claire-ified.

Don’t know what to make with your late-summer farmers market fruit haul? Try this simple custard tart — a crisp but tender base filled with a rich vanilla pastry cream — and top with any fruit you like. This is one of those desserts that might call to you from the pastry case in the bakery with its gleaming and perfectly arranged fruit, but homemade is almost always better. Claire walks you through all the steps.

If you're in a hurry and looking for a quick and easy homemade doughnut that isn't too greasy or heavy then this recipe is for you! On this next installment of “Dessert People,” Friend and Author of "Life is What You Bake It" Vallery Lomas shows Claire how to make easy Old-Fashioned Doughnuts. These cake doughnuts come together quick as they are not yeast-raised and the added sour cream provides for a fantastic taste and texture.

Sour Cherry Pie occupies a perch on the dessert hierarchy above all others, sitting high and mighty. That’s because sour cherry pie, when executed well, has juicy but set filling, a balanced sweet-tart flavor, and golden flaky pastry. It’s everything a dessert should be and more. Here is Claire’s, inspired by the pies her mom used to make when she was a kid and informed by all the pie-making wisdom she’s gathered in her baking lifetime. Sour cherry season is fleeting, but seek out frozen ones and make this pie all year long.

Apple Cider Doughnuts, that stalwart of autumn and a harbinger of the holidays, are often oily, lacking in apple flavor, and disappointingly stale. But it’s not their fault! Turns out doughnuts are better made at home so they can be eaten fresh, and as long as you follow Claire’s tips for a successful cake doughnut, you can enjoy this perfect taste of fall! Follow along.

I love an elaborate dessert on occasion, but after lots of trial and error, I’ve learned over time that when it comes to apple pie, simplest is always preferable. For Thanksgiving, what I want underneath a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a slice of buttery, cinnamony pie that tastes of apples and features a variety of textures. This pie, with an oat crumble topping rather than a top crust of lattice, checks all of those boxes.

Join us in giving thanks and looking back at a the past year of Dessert Person videos. Thanks to all the subscribers and viewers who supported the channel, made recipes from Dessert Person, and learned a little about the power of baking along the way.

Bread is what I make when I feel happy, or sad, or stressed -- or just when I am in the mood for fresh, delicious, bread! The process is just as rewarding as the end result, so it’s never too late to learn the basics of sourdough bread-baking. Here Claire walks you through the steps, especially the home-friendly method of baking bread in a Dutch oven.

Raise your hand if you have a sourdough starter languishing in the refrigerator? If you do, fear not, even a neglected starter can be revived, just check out Claire’s tips for how to keep a starter fed and happy in your fridge so sourdough bread is always at your fingertips. Then, watch Claire make wholesome, light, and whole grainy pancakes with the discard, since adding the extra starter means delicious pancakes with no waste!

Ever have a burning bread question you wished you could ask a real baking expert? Bread Flour vs All Purpose? Problems with Starter? Best Baking Tips & Hacks? Well, you might have these questions answered because Claire is back to address all your burning queries in this mini-series called Claire-ified.

Ever have a burning bread question you wished you could ask a real baking expert? Bread Flour vs All Purpose? Problems with Starter? Best Baking Tips & Hacks? Well, you might have these questions answered because Claire is back to address all your burning queries in this mini-series called Claire-ified.

This recipe, like many others in the book, represents my attempt to combine a few ideas into one ultra-satisfying dish. Inspired by the Italian dish torta pasquialina, a thin double crust tart filled with greens and eggs, this open-faced version also takes a few cues from my favorite steakhouse side dish, creamed spinach. Follow along and watch Claire Saffitz cook down a ton of hardy greens into one delicious pie, perfect for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.

The conventional wisdom is that it’s too hot to bake in summertime, but that’s exactly when Claire’s baking goes into overdrive, turning all the seasonal fruit into jammy, buttery, crisp-crusted pies. For a superior ratio of crust to filling, though, give slab pie a try, specifically this Blueberry Slab Pie. The filling comes together quickly using frozen blueberries, so you can make it any time of the year, and it’s baked in Made In’s beautiful and hyper-functional porcelain baking slab, which is thermal-shock resistant and can go from freezer to oven to table.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a an oldie but a goodie, and with just a few upgrades – like adding browned butter to the cake, swapping in fresh pineapple for canned, and perfuming the whole thing with good dark rum – it becomes a remarkably delicious and complex dessert. It looks impressive but comes together in one skillet. Check out this episode for Claire’s take on the classic as well as SNEAK PEAK AT WHAT’S FOR DESSERT, Claire’s new book due out Nov. 8th

Introducing on the Dessert Person YouTube channel, the inaugural recipe from Claire’s new book, What’s For Dessert. It’s an easy but carefully crafted recipe that honors one of the pure joys of late summer: ripe peaches. This is the peach cobbler of your dreams, featuring a fluffy and tender biscuit topping (with none of that squidgy, under-baked layer of dough underneath) and a silky bed of lightly sweetened peaches that’s neither gloopy nor watery.

Claire Saffitz Makes Easy Vanilla Maritozzi Recipe

Buckwheat’s earthy, mineral flavor shines in this easy crisp that is filled with bright, juicy cherries and studded with crispy buckwheat groats toasted in browned butter. Make this when you have a glut of sweet cherries in the summertime, or use frozen pitted cherries and make it whenever you want.

Claire Saffitz Ask Me Anything (Reacts to Novympia / Drunk Baking Requests) | Claire-ified

One of my favorite sources for dessert inspiration is the work of several renowned pastry chefs and cookbook authors from the 1980s and ’90s. One such author is Flo Braker, whose impeccable (and impeccably written) recipes are models of the craft. One of Flo’s famous recipes is her Crystal Almond Pound Cake, so-called because the sugary glaze crystallizes into a crunchy shell around the cake. Here I apply Flo’s glazing technique to my olive oil-based Meyer lemon Bundt cake. Because incorporating too much lemon juice into the batter can weaken the structure and throw off the leavening, I add it to the glaze for extra fresh lemon flavor. The olive oil in the glaze helps to preserve the cake and keeps it moist and delicious for an entire week.

Today we have a simple recipe for you that celebrates one of my favorite flavors in baking, Butterscotch. Follow along as Claire Saffitz makes the most delicious Butterscotch Blondies.

I am slightly embarrassed to admit that as a dessert person, and more specifically as a cake person, I hadn’t spent much time getting to know tres leches cake, a beloved Latin American dessert, prior to this book. But, as tres leches is a sponge cake soaked liberally with three kinds of dairy (usually sweetened condensed and evaporated milks, and one other), I knew we’d be a good match. At the time I developed this recipe, I’d been playing around with the idea of a sponge cake lightened with whipped cream rather than egg whites. The whipped cream contributes butterfat as well as air, producing a sponge that is light but firm—absolutely perfect, as it happens, for tres leches cake, which needs sufficient structure to be able to absorb all that liquid. When I tasted my first test, the delicate flavors of cinnamon and cream called out for a toasted nut, so I added finely chopped toasted hazelnuts to the batter. The result is a slightly unusual but very special cake.

Join us in the kitchen with Claire Saffitz, as she takes on the iconic Black and White Cookie in this episode of Dessert Person! Originating in New York City (maybe), Black and White Cookies have become a beloved treat across the country. While many bakeries offer their own take on this classic dessert, nothing compares to a homemade Black and White Cookie made from scratch. In this episode, Claire Saffitz shows you how to make the perfect Black and White Cookie, from mixing the batter to icing and decorating. You'll learn about the history of the Black and White Cookie, and why making them at home is the ultimate way to enjoy this delicious treat. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to impress. So, roll up your sleeves and let's get baking!

In this video, Claire Saffitz shares her expert tips and techniques, ensuring that even beginners can successfully recreate these delectable scones. Watch as the scones turn golden brown in the oven, filling your kitchen with the heavenly aroma of strawberries and buttery goodness. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible flavor and texture of these Strawberry-Ricotta Scones. They are perfect for any occasion, but especially fitting for Mother's Day. Surprise your mom with this homemade treat that shows your love and appreciation. Don't forget to garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this video is a must-watch. So grab your apron, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in the finest Strawberry-Ricotta Scones, courtesy of Claire Saffitz. Treat your mom (and yourself) to a truly special and delicious experience this Mother's Day!

Prepare to have your breakfast game forever changed as chef extraordinaire Claire Saffitz takes on the ultimate challenge: creating the best breakfast sandwich ever! In this episode, Claire shares her expert tips and techniques for crafting homemade sausage patties that will blow your mind. And that's not all – she takes it to the next level by baking her own fluffy, golden-brown English muffins. Get ready to savor each delectable bite of this epic breakfast creation that will make your taste buds sing!

Cherries hold a special place in my heart, and it's no surprise they feature prominently in my book. I simply couldn't resist sharing a variation of the classic sour cherry pie, a dessert that brings me so much joy. That's why I've taken my definitive recipe for Sour Cherry Pie from Dessert Person and transformed it into these delightful fried mini hand pies. To ensure the best results, I recommend using frozen sour cherries. Unless you're in certain parts of the country during early July, frozen cherries are more readily available (I always keep a stash of them year-round, pitted and frozen during the summer season). The advantage of using frozen cherries lies in their ability to release their juices easily, which can then be cooked down and thickened to prevent the filling from oozing out of the pastry.

Join Claire Saffitz in creating a delicious homemade salted caramel ice cream as she draws inspiration from classic Crème anglaise recipes and showcases her expert techniques. Whether you're a dessert enthusiast or a home cook, this must-try recipe guarantees a creamy and dreamy outcome. No matter what type of ice cream machine you have at home, this recipe is a must-try!

Join Claire Saffitz as she whips up the ultimate summer cocktail trio in this episode! With the scorching heat outside, it's the perfect time to learn how to make refreshing beverages effortlessly. Claire demonstrates how easy and quick it is to mix up a delightful Lillet Spritz, a classy Reverse Martini, and a sparkling Lambrusco Spritz, all ideal for those long, sunny days. Don't forget to keep your ice supply ready this time for an even smoother experience! Get ready to impress your friends with these fantastic cocktails that are sure to become your go-to summer sips.

Claire Saffitz returns with a delightful holiday recipe—Vanilla Pumpkin Crème Brûlée. Ideal for fall and Thanksgiving gatherings, this dessert captures the essence of the season with warm spices and pumpkin flavors. Indulge in the joy of cracking into this delectable treat, making it a perfect comfort dessert for chilly weather. Follow along Claire Saffitz with this enticing Vanilla Pumpkin Creme Brulee recipe.

Elevate your Thanksgiving this year with our Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls – a perfect blend of sweet potatoes and buttery softness. Join Claire Saffitz in creating these irresistible rolls that will vanish from your table this holiday. Fluffy, golden, and utterly delicious, make this recipe your holiday side.

We've got a special episode for you this Thanksgiving. Over the past year, I've dedicated myself to constructing an earth oven in my backyard, drawing inspiration from the renowned Kiko Denzer. From renting an excavator to building the foundation, installing insulation, constructing the oven floor, and adding insulation layers – this project has been a labor of love. In this hour-long journey, sponsored by the fantastic King Arthur Baking Company, I take the newly crafted oven on its maiden voyage. Join me as I attempt to create a classic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, inspired by the techniques of Jeffrey Hamelman.