Layer Cake

Chill the orange curd overnight before using.

"I've had some unforgettable meals during my travels," writes Chris Forney of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, "but I've never felt compelled to request a recipe from Bon Appétit until now. While in Charleston, South Carolina, recently, my wife and I ate at the Peninsula Grill. I can't stop thinking about the coconut cake I had for dessert there." This impressive-looking cake will delight coconut-lovers. The filling needs to chill overnight, so be sure to begin preparing this dessert a day ahead of time.

Here's a simple way to make a scrumptious coconut cake: Take a boxed cake mix, add Coco Lòpez and top with flaked coconut.

A classic chocolate layer cake with a new-fashioned, thick, and rich frosting. This treat can be made up to two days ahead.

A quick one-bowl cake perfect for a last-minute birthday celebration or part dessert. Use the Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting recipe that follows or your favorite purchased one.

Prunes and Cognac add moistness and great flavor to this rich chocolate cake.

Cornmeal gives this cake a coarse texture that is a delightful foil for the smooth filling and whipped cream frosting.

The contrast of the subtle white chocolate cake and frosting with a tart-sweet lemon curd filling is superb.

Like the cake layers, the frosting is made in two separate batches; each batch yields about eight cups. Ivy is for decoration only; please remove ivy before cutting cakes.

Look for the heart-shaped cake ring at cake and candy supply stores, or call Jane's Cakes and Chocolates at 800-262-7630. You can also use a buttered and floured 8-inch round cake pan with 2-inch-high sides.

Dark beer and molasses add rich depth of flavor to this moist and delicious cake.

The warm caramel flavors in cola complement the molasses and brown sugar in this cake. The remaining candied kumquats are delicious served over vanilla ice cream. For best results, use Philadelphia-brand cream cheese in the frosting.

This cake can be prepared one day ahead. Sweetened cream of coconut is available in the liquor section of most supermarkets.

The milk chocolate frosting provides a subtle and delicious contrast to the dark chocolate cake. Either imported or domestic milk chocolate works well.

In England, plum pudding was required at Christmas in the nineteenth century, and it still is today. This luscious cake takes its cues from that beloved dessert. It combines the flavors of a plum pudding in a chocolate cake and iced it with fudge frosting.

Whenever you serve this lightly spiced, moist buttermilk layer cake you'll turn dessert into a celebration. The spices in the cake mellow as it stands, so it's even better the day after baking.