Cake

Cream of coconut is added to the batter and the whipped cream frosting. You can make and chill the cake up to one day ahead.

Make the cake a day ahead so that it has plenty of time to chill.

The almond biscotti for the easy crust are available at supermarkets, bakeries and Italian markets. The recipe is from chef Kimball Jones of Wente Vineyards Restaurant in Livermore, California.

Mashed banana gives this dessert extra moistness.

Tall and beautiful, sweet and tart, this cake has lots of lemon flavor and plenty of style, too. It's the perfect finale for a St. Patrick's Day dinner or other special occasion.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 3 hr This one-bowl cake, which is really simple to assemble, owes its airy volume and fine, even texture to the proper whipping of the egg whites. When the cake is in the oven, some volume builds from the air you have whipped into the whites. But most of the volume is produced by steam, which evaporates from the liquid in the egg whites and passes through the air cells of the egg whites, expanding them. A portion of confectioners sugar helps yield an especially delicate and tender cake. Be sure to measure out your ingredients before starting.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 40 min

Sweet summer apricots are a terrific topping for this upside-down cake.

This cake should not be assembled until just before serving.

A super-creamy dessert that will have cheesecake lovers begging for seconds.

Fresh cherries take center stage in this version of an old favorite.

Because the more traditional dark fruitcakes aren't really to her liking, senior editor Sarah Belk created this one, filled with her favorite nuts and dried fruits. To make these gifts even more festive, she suggest decorating the glazed cakes with additional dried fruits and nuts.

Dense, moist, and delicious, this bread is great as a quick snack or with a bit of whipped honey butter for afternoon tea.

"My Aunt Rose, a consummate baker, perfected this pound cake, which for years has graced the table of every family gathering," says Barbara Chazan of New York, New York.

Raspberries are both baked in this tender, moist cake and served with it.

"I'm a social worker running my own practice," writes Susan Haskell of Boston, Massachusetts. "In addition, I'm getting a doctorate in social work. So most of my time is spent either working with patients or writing my dissertation. Still, no matter what's on my schedule, nothing can stop me from going into the kitchen. During the week, I make the time to pore over food magazines to find recipes I want to try. On Saturdays, I cook for friends — because next to cooking, sharing the results is my favorite thing to do." Susan says this can also be made with fresh cherries, sliced peaches, nectarines, or pears.