My kitchen process is a lot like collaging. I like to ask myself, “If I were at a party in my fridge, who would I want to pull into an unexpected and fascinating conversation together?” In the end, what I decided on was a cookie convo flavored with browned miso butter, bacon fat, cinnamon and cocoa, studded with walnuts and bacon bits.

On this July 4th weekend, the only appropriate celebration of freedom is a repeat of Juneteenth. I’ve always had a festive and carefree association with strawberries, plus everyone’s bomb-ass strawberry Juneteenth desserts inspired me to make this cream cheese strawberry pie with a coconut cookie crust.