We have differing definitions of “project recipe” around here—some feel that a recipe only rises to the level of a “project” when the recipe requires overnight resting or long rises. Others feel that a project is simply a recipe that’s hand crafted—rolling out pasta dough, dimpling focaccia, scrunching phyllo, layering eggplant, making a bit of a mess with the flour.

Or it's simply a special recipe you save for the weekend.

Regardless, the payoff should be high. Here are some of our favorite, hands-on weekend project recipes.