Coconut

These sweet treats can be made two days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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

These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea.

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.

To make the toasted coconut for the meringue, spread flaked coconut on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack of a 350°F oven, stirring often around the edges, until light golden, about ten minutes.

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.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 2 hr

Serve this curry with condiments such as dried currants, sliced green onions, shredded coconut and toasted slivered almonds.

"Recently my future in-laws came to dinner for the first time. My fiancé had mentioned their love of chocolate and coconut, so I knew I had to dazzle them with a sensational dessert," writes Sarah Smythe of New London, Connecticut . "This cheesecake worked beautifully."

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

Coconut milk, which gives a velvety texture to this pound cake, can be found in the Asian foods section of the supermarket.