Dessert/6 recipes

Spiced molasses cookies sweetened with maple syrup and warmed by ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. Rolled in sugar before baking for a crackled, sparkly crust and soft, chewy middle.

Rainbow Jello with alternating layers of strawberry, orange, lemon, and lime gelatin separated by creamy sweetened condensed milk filling. A showstopping party dessert.

Oreo Surprise, a no-bake layered icebox dessert: crushed Oreo crust, sweet cream cheese cream, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping, crowned with cookie crumbs. Best made the night before.

Old-fashioned crumb cake: a tender cinnamon cake under a thick, buttery brown-sugar crumb topping. The classic coffee cake, best served warm with a cup of coffee.

White chocolate fruit tart with a buttery shortbread crust, creamy white chip and cream cheese filling, and glazed fresh fruit on top. A stunning no-fuss dessert.

Mont Blanc dessert: a crisp meringue base ringed with piped vanilla-chestnut puree vermicelli and crowned with vanilla cream and grated dark chocolate. The classic French patisserie centerpiece.

Lemon hazelnut torte stacks toasted hazelnut meringue rounds with tangy lemon curd folded into whipped cream. Frozen overnight and topped with fresh raspberries and raspberry sauce.

Lazy Aunt's Key lime pie: a classic 4-ingredient Florida dessert with sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, egg yolks, and a meringue top. The original old-Florida recipe, no fuss required.

Japanese cookies made with whipped egg whites, rice flour, and melted shortening, spread thin and baked until crisp. A delicate, naturally gluten-free wafer-style cookie.

Grapefruit mint sorbet: a bright, bitter-sweet frozen dessert infused with fresh mint syrup and pure grapefruit juice. A naturally dairy-free palate cleanser.

Luxurious pearl tapioca pudding made with a full quart of cream, brown sugar, and Madagascar bourbon vanilla. A make-ahead dessert that serves a crowd.

Date and apple squares with chopped nuts baked into a buttery, fruit-studded bar. Chewy dates, tender apple pieces, and a simple one-bowl batter make these a crowd-pleasing fall treat.

Rich no-bake chocolate cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, semi-sweet chocolate cream cheese filling, and folded-in whipped cream for an airy texture. Set with gelatin, no oven needed.

Speedy pat-in pastry: oil-based pie crust mixed and pressed right in the pie plate. No rolling pin, no cold butter, no chilling. A reliable crust for bakers who fear pastry.

Gingered rhubarb crisp with crystallized ginger folded into tart rhubarb under a buttery crumb topping. Baked until bubbling and golden, served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Intensely rich chocolate mousse made with 1 1/2 cups cocoa, cognac, and strong coffee. No melted chocolate needed. Whipped cream and beaten egg whites keep it impossibly airy despite the deep, dark flavor.