I found impossibly cute pink savoiardi at my local Italian supermarket and, of course, couldn’t resist. They resurfaced later, right as I was planning dessert for Christmas Eve. Since yuzu sake had already slipped into the menu via yuzu-sake–cured gravlax, it felt only polite to invite it to dessert too. A gentle splash brought floral lift to a citrusy tiramisu: lemon curd, mascarpone, no coffee, no cocoa. Just winter sunshine, layered and softly festive.

Swiss meringues with Gruyère double cream are pure indulgence: crisp, airy sugar clouds meeting rich, velvety cream and bright berries. This dessert is so Swiss it practically yodels, effortlessly turning simple ingredients into something magical. Pair it with Champagne or a sweet late-harvest wine, and suddenly you’ve got a tiny, glorious celebration on a plate. Sugar, cream, berries… wine. Repeat. Happiness guaranteed.