Pastries

These dessert packages are fun to make and a clever way to serve strudel. Try either tart dried cherries or the sweeter dried Bing - both available at specialty foods stores and most supermarkets.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Tender shortcakes accented with fresh and candied ginger are delicious complements to the strawberry filling.

This appealing do-ahead dessert, perfect for a picnic, can be formed ahead and frozen. Just thaw, then bake and cool.

The fennel seeds add a nice dimension to these tender scones.

Limpa—a moist rye bread from Sweden—is often flavored with aniseed (or fennel), caraway seeds, and orange zest. These same ingredients also come together to produce the following fragrant muffins. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. These tender biscuits are especially light when made with cake flour.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In this recipe, applesauce is used instead of butter to cut back on the fat.

Scones are the classic tea and coffee partner. Tiny and elegant for a silver-service tea or as large as a fist, they're everyone's favorite served warm, split and spread with butter or whipped cream and jam.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Perfect for any holiday breakfast or brunch.

Corn kernels, cornmeal and sour cream combine in this very easy recipe, resulting in tender muffins with great corn flavor. These are extra good with the Apricot-glazed Turkey with Gravy and the New England Sausage, Apple and Dried Cranberry Stuffing