Amaretto

Since just about any combination of fruits will work for the topping, this recipe can be used all year long.

This gelato, named after Bernardo Buontalenti, a sixteenth-century Florentine who may have been one of the world's original ice-cream makers, is made with any number of flavorings. The "secret" ingredient is usually a liqueur (such as Di Saronno Amaretto). A delicious alternative would be a pinch of mixed spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 3 3/4 hr

"I started cooking when I was a 'young married' in my twenties and realized I liked it," writes Sheryl Hurd-House of Jupiter, Florida. "But I'm having even more fun cooking now that our three children are grown and it's just me and my husband, Garry." Frozen berries — thawed, of course — can stand in for fresh ones in the winter. Prepare the frozen "baskets" (made from cream cheese that’s lightened with whipped cream) at least two hours and up to three days before serving.

To allow enough time for the soufflés to freeze, make them at least one day before serving.

Ella Brennan, who has been called the "queen of Creole cuisine," tasted her first bread pudding long ago. "It was my mother's," she says. "You never had anything like it." These days, people say the same thing about the bread pudding at Brennan's famous Commander's Palace restaurant in New Orleans. "Our bread pudding soufflé outsells all of our other desserts by ten to one, maybe a hundred to one," she says. "We see people swoon over it." Here's a new take on this hall-of-fame comfort dessert: a pumpkin bread pudding that is served cold, except for the sugar sprinkled on top and browned under the broiler just before the sensational dessert goes to the table.

The tart cherries brighten the classic flavor of almond in this tortoni.

Trifle is a great do-ahead party dessert. For this one, roast the pears and make the pastry cream the day before. Use purchased sponge-cake ladyfingers (available in the baked goods section of many supermarkets); unwrap them and leave them at room temperature over-night so that they firm up slightly.

China is the original home of the peach (a favorite fruit of its emperors), and pine nuts are grown in China and are used to garnish sweet fruit soups. The ginger-spiced peach sauce for this dessert can be prepared one day before serving.

These delectable treats can be kept in the freezer for up to one month. They're great to have on hand for snacks or for serving to unexpected company.

Juicy peaches, crushed cookies and vanilla ice cream spiked with brandy and amaretto add up to a perfect summer treat.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Amaretto is great if you have it, but, if not, substitute with any other brown liquor and it should work out just fine.