Electric Mixer

Top this with whipped cream flavored with brown sugar and dark rum.

This recipe was created to accompany White Chocolate Toasted Almond Semifreddo.

Two toppings — one mint, one chocolate — accent these luscious treats. Serve them with your choice of fresh fruit. Wrap the brownies in foil, and pack the fruit in an airtight plastic container.

Begin preparing the cheesecake one day before you plan to serve it.

The ciabatta does require a simple sponge but it takes only a few minutes to put together the day before making the bread. Though the dough for ciabatta is very wet and sticky, resist the temptation to add more flour. For this recipe you will need a baking stone or unglazed "quarry" tiles. Baking stones are available at cookware shops and by mail order from The Baker's Catalogue, tel. (800) 827-6836. Tiles are also available at the above sources as well as at many tile stores listed in the Yellow Pages.

The texture of these spicy offerings varies according to baking time. Underbake them if you are partial to a chewy cookie; give them an extra minute or two in the oven if a crisp cookie is desired.

Molasses adds richness to this cake. It has a down-home style that's just right for a more casual turkey dinner.

At the Markham in New York, this cake is served with toasted almond ice cream.

Fast-rising makes these moist, fragrant breads quick to prepare. Serve them warm, accompanied with butter or with olive oil for dipping.