Name: Panforte
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 4 hr
Yield: Makes 1 (9-inch) cake
Ingredients: 4 teaspoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder plus additional for dusting; 2/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup whole almonds, toasted; 1 cup whole hazelnuts, toasted and loose skins rubbed off with a kitchen towel; 1 cup soft pitted prunes (dried plums; 8 oz), quartered; 1 cup soft dried figs (preferably Mission; 8 oz), each cut into 6 pieces; 1 cup soft raisins (8 oz); 3/4 cup sugar; 2/3 cup honey; a 9-inch springform pan; parchment paper; a candy thermometer

Panforte — a cross between a cake and a candy — is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread"). This recipe yields much more than you'll need for the party, but it keeps so well that you'll have delicious leftovers long after the holiday season.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 4 hr (includes cooling)

Cooks' note:

• The flavors of panforte deepen over time — it's best made at least 1 week ahead and chilled in a large sealed plastic bag. It can be made 1 month ahead and chilled, wrapped in parchment and then kept in a sealed plastic bag.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Okonomiyaki Tater Tots

Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki

Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crispy Salmon With Avocado Sauce

You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.