Date

The perennial Christmas gift gets a luscious face-lift in this impressive cake. We guarantee that it won't get shuffled around, and no one will make any jokes about it. Store the cake in the refrigerate for up to three weeks before giving. Wrap it in some red or green cellophane, and present it in a decorative box (a hatbox is fun) tied with a big, bright bow.

Orange syrup sweetens the cake and the fresh fruit that goes with it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In this interesting Tunisian specialty called farka, the semolina grains take a sweet turn. It is enjoyed as a breakfast dish or afternoon snack, rather than an after-dinner dessert.

The traditional apple, walnut and chopped celery salad is updated with a yogurt and low-fat mayonnaise citrus dressing, pine nuts and Cajun seasoning.

This type of dish is common in England, where all desserts are called puddings.

Here is a sensational layering of cake and toffee sauce that's served warm, accompanied by whipped cream or crème fraîche.

Teamed with meats of all kinds in Moroccan cooking, dried fruits and honey impart flavor and sweetness to the sauce in this rich stew. Serve it with a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Toast a slice of this bread, and serve it with butter or cream cheese for breakfast.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 15 min

Raw sugar crystals (sold at natural foods stores and some supermarkets) are baked onto the edges of the free-form crust.

At one time, musicians who entertained in Catalan countryside were paid with dried fruit and nuts. This came to be known as the "musician's dessert," which is still served to this day. Many places have updated the custom by turning the "pay" into a tart. Here's a rendition, with a rich caramel topping and sweet crust.

This recipe was created to accompany Traditional Hamantaschen or Cream Cheese Hamantaschen . Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Golden Delicious apples, as well as other good baking varieties like Rome Beauty, are a natural choice here.