Cookie

A couple of the best convenience foods of the century undoubtedly are peanut butter (introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair) and chocolate chips (first sold by Nestle; in 1939). Separately, they are the basis of two of the nation's favorite cookies. Together, the ingredients are an unbeatable team.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Mexican chocolate, usually found in tablet form, contains cinnamon, sugar, and ground almonds — as do these fudgy squares.

A favorite flavor combination in a fudgy brownie.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Lesley Renner of Denver, Colorado, writes: "There is a funky little eatery called Bump & Grind Cafe near my office. I go there often to enjoy a latte and one of their shortbread cookies with chocolate chips and a touch of orange — it's called a Miss Emma Peel cookie. Would you ask chef Cliff Trubowitz for the recipe?" This recipe calls for double chocolate chips, which have a deep, rich chocolate flavor because they are made with bittersweet chocolate. Regular semisweet chocolate chips can be substituted.

We call for English-style bitter orange marmalade (made with Seville oranges and often called Dundee) because other types made the ice cream too sweet and too soft. It's available at specialty foods shops and some supermarkets. This recipe makes about a dozen more florentines than you'll need for the sandwiches, but it's a good idea to have extra in case one or two break — and the cookies are delicious even without the ice cream. Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 7 hr (includes freezing)