The 13 best recipes to bake in March

This month, we’re going big on flavor. The markets may not be bursting just yet, but we can still lean into bakes that pack a major punch. These include a flaky pastry with a hidden filling of vibrant guava; citrus-laden blondies; and the cheesiest sourdough loaf possible.  

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

1) Giant Jalapeño Pretzels  

These super-sized pretzels were made for sharing and are even more fun to make with a helper or two. Their interiors are soft and fluffy, while the chewy crust makes them perfect for tearing and dipping into cheese sauce.  

Get the recipe: Giant Jalapeño Pretzels  

To make this recipe, you'll need: Bread Flour 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Jalapeño-Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread, Stuffed Pretzel Bites  

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

2) Chewy Lemon Blondies 

Don’t underestimate the humble blondie. This citrusy version packs a punch with lemon zest, lemon extract, and Lemon Crumbles for puckeringly perfect tartness.  

Get the recipe: Chewy Lemon Blondies 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Lemon Crumbles and Pure Lemon Extract 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Lemon Squares, Strawberry Lemonade Bars 

Photography and food styling by Liz Neily

3) Salt Bread (Shio Pan) 

These internet famous rolls are worth the hype. A tender, feather-light dough encases a block of butter, leaving the buns with hollow centers and crunchy, butter-fried bottoms.  

Get the recipe: Salt Bread (Shio Pan) 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Cake Flour and Bread Flour 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Japanese Milk Bread, Big and Buttery Croissant Bread  

Mark Weinberg

4) Nan-e Gerdui (Persian Walnut Cookies)  

Made with ground walnuts and rice flour, these spiced shortbreads are a classic treat to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The inclusion of cardamom and rose water adds a delicate floral note to complement the rich nuts. For another treat to celebrate the new year, try Nan-e Keshmeshi (Raisin Cookies).   

Get the recipe: Nan-e Gerdui (Persian Walnut Cookies)   

To make this recipe, you'll need: Cloud Forest Cardamom  

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Rose-Pistachio Cookies with Cherries and White Chocolate, Pistachio-Crusted Icebox Cookies  

Photography and food styling by Liz Neily

5) Irish Soda Bread Scones   

Irish soda bread and scones have more in common than you think: namely, those craggy edges. Here, the best parts of both are combined into golden brown scones bejeweled with dried currants. These make a great Patrick's Day bake — don’t forget to smear them with plenty of Irish butter.

Get the recipe: Irish Soda Bread Scones  

To make this recipe, you'll need: Irish-Style Wholemeal Flour  

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Irish Soda Bread Muffins, Irish Soda Bread   

Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne

6) Guava Cream Cheese Pastries (Pastelitos)

These Cuban bakery staples are made with buttery, flaky pastry and filled with tangy, tropical guava paste and luscious cream cheese. If this recipe feels like a daunting baking project, just break it up: Prep the puff pastry dough up to two days in advance, then assemble and bake the pastelitos when you’re ready to enjoy. 

Get the recipe: Guava Cream Cheese Pastries (Pastelitos)  

To make this recipe, you'll need: Sparkling Sugar   

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Guava Pinwheels, Strawberry Hand Pies 

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

7) Homemade Pizza Pockets 

Making your own pizza pockets is definitely more effort than picking up a box from the freezer aisle, but the payoff in flavor is worth it. It starts with an easy-to-roll, butter-based crust and gets filled with the usual suspects: melty mozzarella and warm pizza sauce.  

Get the recipe: Homemade Pizza Pockets 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Pizza Dough Flavor 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Mini Pizzas, Flaky Puff Crust Pizza  

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

8) Baked Tapioca Pudding 

Beneath a beautifully golden shortbread crust is a creamy, custardy tapioca pudding in this recipe from cookbook author Kristina Cho. It’s a wonderful contrast between a crisp cookie top and luscious pudding, and the proof that tapioca pudding is anything but stodgy.

Get the recipe: Baked Tapioca Pudding 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Pie Pan 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Vanilla Rice Pudding, Butterscotch Pudding 

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

9) Vanilla Bean Flan 

This failproof flan comes from Cocina Puerto Rico author Mia Castro, inspired by her mother’s recipe. The secrets? Mascarpone cheese for silkiness, extra-dark caramel for a bittersweet contrast, and an aluminum pan for consistent heating.  

Get the recipe: Vanilla Bean Flan 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Polished Aluminum Cake Pan and Pure Vanilla Plus 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Chocoflan, Classic Crème Brûlée 

Heifa Odeh

10) Qatayef (Sweet Filled Semolina Pancakes) 

A Ramadan favorite, these small pancakes are stuffed with a crunchy walnut mixture or sweet cheese filling before getting doused in orange blossom syrup. Helpfully, this recipe from contributor Heifa Odeh skips the deep frying and opts for an easier method to bake in the oven.  

Get the recipe: Qatayef (Sweet Filled Semolina Pancakes) 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Semolina Flour 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Basbousa, Semolina Pudding 

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

11) Parmesan Black Pepper Sourdough Bread 

With half a pound of cheese and a full tablespoon of black pepper, this sourdough loaf goes big on flavor. If you’re a fan of cacio e pepe, this bread will not disappoint. For more recipes to celebrate the Big Month of Bread, check out our full lineup. 

Get the recipe: Parmesan Black Pepper Sourdough Bread 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Brod & Taylor Round Baking Shell 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Cacio e Pepe Clover Rolls, Gruyère Stuffed Crusty Loaves  

Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne

12) Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Cake 

This snacking cake has it all: cinnamon sugar, chocolate chips, and a fluffy crumb. It comes together in a cinch and is a worthy contender for weekday baking routines. Plus, it can be easily made gluten-free with our Measure-for-Measure flour.  

To make this recipe, you'll need: Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Cake 

Shop the recipe: Vietnamese Cinnamon 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Churro Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache, Buttery Snickerdoodles 

Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

13) Easiest Sourdough Discard Crackers 

Crackers may seem like a boring, basic recipe to use up your sourdough discard, but this recipe will surely change your mind. All you need to do is mix your discard with melted butter, season generously, pour and spread it onto a sheet pan, and bake. You may never buy store-bought crackers again.  

Get the recipe: Easiest Sourdough Discard Crackers 

To make this recipe, you'll need: Half Sheet Pan 

If you like this recipe, you may also like: Quick Sourdough Herb and Scallion Pancakes, Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Biscuits  

Cover photo (Salt Bread (Shio Pan)) and food styling by Liz Neily.