Chocolate

A sweet snack, full of chewy dried cherries and apricots, to nibble or wrap as a gift.

"This is the cake I bake for most family events," writes Mary Charlotte McCall of Tallahassee, Florida. "I started making it years ago because my three new stepdaughters liked it so much. It's always a hit at big parties, club meetings and kid-related events."

Layers of espresso-soaked pound cake and cream cheese custard come together with chocolate. Tiramisù means "pick-me-up" in Italian-and this certainly does.

In this procedure we used a metal bowl that fits snugly on top of a saucepan, but a double boiler will also work.

This impressive dessert features two classic components: the buttery sponge cake known as genoise and the rich frosting known as ganache. Making the genoise and syrup ahead eliminates last-minute fuss. Any leftover ganache can be chilled, rolled into balls and presented as another classic: truffles.

The flavor and texture of these chewy confections are even better if they are allowed to rest overnight.

The "alternative" is the addition of oat bran.

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.

The following cupcake recipe is adapted from a rich chocolate cake first served in the late 1890s at the Wellesley Tea Room, a genteel establishment catering to students at the well-know Massachusetts women's college. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The old-fashioned cookies are cake-like and have a nice chocolate icing.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The peanut butter in this dough creates a crumbly cookie.