Desserts

This weekend is the unofficial end of Summer and it's not a time to spend hours creating an elaborate dessert that will only be consumed by your friends in a matter of minutes. Instead, take some help from the store and put together an ice cream cake that looks like it took you all day, but was actually really easy to make. This recipe combines purchased marble pound cake with wafer cookies and vanilla and chocolate ice cream. There is a homemade component, a ganache, and keep in mind that as with all ice cream cakes, it needs a couple of hours to set.

Still, the prep and cook time is minimal and the resulting dessert is a show-stopper. Interested in learning how it's made? Read more.

Ever since I saw this photo of chocolate brownie squares on sheets of waxed paper, I can't stop thinking about them. That's why I'm making brownies to serve at a beach bonfire I'm hosting in honor of my sister. Brownies are a great portable dessert because they are best when made in advance. They're also a crowd-pleaser: who doesn't love a good fudgy brownie? I'll be using a recipe I've tried before, Food & Wine's salted fudge brownies. These brownies are so good, it's hard to have just one. I love this recipe because it's super easy and involves no electrical gadgets. All you need is a trusty whisk! To take a look at a brownie recipe that won't disappoint, keep reading.

This weekend, why not celebrate Earth Day by doing something good for your community? I'm heading to the beach for a local cleanup organized by a friend, and I plan on surprising the other volunteers with a picnic lunch. Hearty turkey sandwiches and healthy asparagus and mushroom salad are on the menu. To keep up with the figure-friendly theme, I"ll offer homemade chocolate chip granola bars for dessert. They're low in fat, but thanks to honey and vanilla extract, high in flavor. The addition of chocolate chips makes them just a little decadent. These bars are great for any picnic or school lunch, so check out the recipe now.

A special Christmas brunch should end with a stunning dessert. Instead of serving something that requires last-minute attention, plate slices of a cranberry vanilla coffeecake that can be made on Christmas Eve.

It will fill the house with an enticing aroma and get your family excited for the breakfast. Although vanilla beans are expensive, it's a necessary splurge for this flavorful and moist cake.

A layer of zesty cranberry filling is the pleasant surprise that makes this cake festive and celebratory. To get the recipe, read more

Finish your almost meatless Thanksgiving with a decadent sweet potato pie. This pie is a dessert traditional to the South, but with its smooth creamy filling and rich sweet flavor, sweet potato pie is welcome on Thanksgiving tables all across America. The dough calls for shortening, however, if you prefer to bake with butter, use that instead. Although the ingredient list includes a whiskey-spiked whipped cream, you can omit the alcohol and employ vanilla extract. To get the recipe which should be made in advance, read more

A harvest party is an event that celebrates grape-picking, so I'm creating a menu that consists of dishes made with wine.

One of my favorite desserts to order when dining out is pears poached in wine. Although the technique is relatively simple, I've never poached pears at home.

That's why I plan to experiment with this recipe for pears simmered in pink Champagne. It's elegant and fruity, but not too rich or sweet. Oh and it can be made up to a week in advance! To look at the easy recipe, read more

The Black Forest is a wooded region in Southwestern Germany. It's from this area that Black Forest ham and Black Forest cake originated. Traditionally the confection consists of layers of chocolate cake, kirsch, and sour cherries, but this recipe uses those ingredients to make crumb bars.

At an event like Oktoberfest, where lots of beer may be consumed, it's nice not to worry about cutting and plating a cake. These super chocolatey portable bars can be set out at the start of the party, and guests can enjoy them at their leisure without utensils. For the make-in-advance recipe, please keep reading.

Gossip Girl premieres next week and to celebrate I've invited over some friends to enjoy dinner and watch the show with me. It's a Monday night, so the menu is minimal but delicious and filling. Since Gossip Girl takes place in New York, all the recipes I'm using were crafted by acclaimed NYC chefs. This dessert, a simple raspberry clafouti, is Eric Ripert's recipe. Although the French name makes it seem like the dessert is complicated, it requires nothing more than a wire whisk and can be assembled in minutes. I'll put the clafouti in the oven when the episode starts and half way through we'll be savoring the fruity pastry piping hot. For Ripert's recipe, read more

When I hear the word luau, I immediately think of a creamy, cool coconut dessert. This recipe is just that; it combines two favorite pie flavors — key lime and coconut — into one fabulous finger-friendly dessert.

Key lime-coconut bars are ideal for a Saturday night bash. They must be made in advance, are bite-sized and easy to eat, and with their dusting of confectioners sugar and lime zest, look pretty delightful!

Sound scrumptious? Get the recipe.

Picture this: it's that wonderful time of day when the sun has just set and the weather is perfectly comfortable. You're enjoying the merry sounds of a symphony. After devouring a delectable steak sandwich and tomato salad, you are satisfied, but desire something sweet. Your wish comes true when you take one last look into the picnic basket and see, individually wrapped in parchment paper and tied with satin ribbons, luscious apricot tarts. You pass them out to your friends who marvel at your culinary creativeness. Doesn't that sound like fun?! Thanks to this fabulous recipe, you can live that scenario in the near future. If apricots aren't your cup of tea, substitute cherries, peaches, plums — whatever floats your fancy. Check out the recipe.