Coconut

In keeping with the tradition of southern desserts, this pie is sweet. Dr. Stallworth uses buttermilk in the filling to provide a hint of tang, but northerners may want to accentuate it even more by adding a tablespoon of fresh lemon or lime juice to the filling.

Dorothy Williams of Vancouver, British Columbia, writes: "To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband and I spent a week in Victoria, British Columbia. We particularly enjoyed Abigail's Hotel, where we had some delicious carrot-coconut cupcakes." For a lovely breakfast muffin, omit the cream cheese frosting.

Intense chocolate flavor accented with orange highlights this lovely layer cake.

These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea.

This classic southern dessert is very rich and sweet and should be served in small wedges.

Dried cherries and apricots highlight this impressive version of a southern classic.

"I like to keep sweets on hand during the holidays just in case someone drops in," says Laurie Schielock of Miami, Florida. "My sister Susan's truffle recipe is indispensable this time of year. The chocolate treats have a rich, smooth texture, they keep well, and they're perfect with a glass of Champagne." Flavor the chocolate mixture with some grated orange peel or espresso powder, if you like.

This is the pastry version of the popular Franco-German dessert.

These cookies owe their whimsical moniker to a generous dusting of powdered sugar.

This recipe yields enough cookies to make the crust for the Tropical Cheesecake and the crumbs and garnish for the Banana-Cream Parfaits .

Marty Rosencranz of River Vale, New Jersey, writes: "Even though I am a professional chef — at the Valley Brook Golf Club in New Jersey — when I cook at home I make dishes that are good but fast. I took two years to perfect the recipe for my chewy chocolate cookies. They're so good that they are now a signature item on the club's menu." Butterscotch chips could easily stand in for the peanut butter chips.

The coconut in this recipe gives a chewiness to these thin cookies.

From the Rainforest Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota.