Candy Thermometer

Lemon curd separates the layers of this fine-crumbed, very-special-occasion cake. Get started at least one day ahead: The frosting base and lemon curd must chill overnight before using. For the frosting, high-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Perugina) works best.

This is a big-deal dish. But the numerous steps, all easy, transform the duck into a wonder of subtle spiciness. We had this dish in Xi'an, where five-spice powder in the rub and the dipping salt were lovely touches.

Also delicious served atop steak.

Pla Phad Phrik Khing The pummelo salad makes a nice first course with this dish.

Gianduia, a ground hazelnut and chocolate confection from the Piedmont, inspired this spectacular terrine.

Sweet corn shows up at New York City's Mesa Grill in many guises, including, at meal's end, a memorable ice cream created by pastry chef Wayne H. Brachman. Our version of chef Brachman's dessert differs from the original only in texture (we opted for a smooth ice cream rather than a kernel-studded one).

White chocolate can be finicky to work with. We tried making this "leather" with different brands of white chocolate but achieved the most consistently good results with Callebaut and Baker's Premium White. You will need to repeat this recipe 4 times to make enough leather for 8 Tepee Birthday Cakes-do not try to save time by making one big batch.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

In this recipe there will be extra mousse and pecan crisps (the recipes will not work if reduced). Both elements are delicious on their own.

Panforte — a cross between a cake and a candy — is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread"). This recipe yields much more than you'll need for the party, but it keeps so well that you'll have delicious leftovers long after the holiday season. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 4 hr (includes cooling)

Frozen desserts seem especially festive — and no less refreshing — in the cooler months.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Boca Negra Chocolate Chipotle Cakes .

Alternating layers of strawberry and white chocolate mousses form stripes in this creamy frozen dessert.

This classic chocolate cake gets its unlikely moniker from its color--the same as the deep, rich soil that lines Old Man River. It's usually made in a single-layer rectangular baking pan, but we dressed ours up and fashioned it into a layer cake.

These are based on the wonderful pecan pralines of noted cookbook author and columnist Marion Cunningham.