As counterintuitive as it may sound, sometimes the ingredient a dessert needs to truly sing is a bit of salt. I’m sure the notion of a salty sweet is something I would have turned my nose up at in my younger years, but I’ve come to appreciate how even a few flakes can elevate the flavor of your favorite baked goods.

In addition to flavoring otherwise bland ingredients commonly used in baking — such as flour, butter, eggs and cream — salt can bring other foods into focus. Chocolate is a primary example. A sprinkling of flaky salt provides contrasting crunch and a pleasant pop of briny flavor. It brings balance and wards against desserts that veer into cloying.

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If you like those kinds of salty sweets, here are some great options from our archives.