The morning after a snowy night, I can gauge how challenging my morning commute will be before I even get out of bed: I just look at the size of the drifts collected on the leafless tree outside my window. If the branches are dusted like powdered sugar, there's no problem; tufted like a large marshmallow, I'll put my boots on; piled high and lofty like meringue, I'd better call the office hotline to find out whether or not I need to go to work.
On those days, I love to stay home and cook. There's something magical about donning fuzzy slippers, firing up the oven, and baking something sweet while the world outside is tucked under a white, downy blanket.
The recent gentle flurries in New York -- and the snow in 49 of the 50 U.S. states! -- made me think of SAVEUR's collection of snowy desserts. From cool Peppermint Caramels to literally snowdrift-like Oeufs à la Neige, these wintry white sweets are a good excuse to stay out of the cold and get into the kitchen. (Though if you want somebody else to make one for you, you could go to Eleven Madison Park and try chef Daniel Humm's contribution to the SAVEUR 100, his snowball-like Milk and Honey dessert.)
-- Saveur's Ganda Suthivarakom
