Dessert/2 recipes

Pear-apple mincemeat pie: a lattice-topped classic with homemade or jarred pear-apple mincemeat, extra sugar, and buttery pastry. Old-fashioned holiday dessert at its best.

Suji halva is a warm Indian semolina dessert toasted in ghee until golden, then soaked in cardamom-scented sugar syrup. Topped with sliced almonds and plump raisins, it's ready in just 20 minutes.

Thai-style bananas simmered in sweetened coconut milk with a pinch of salt. A 4-ingredient dessert that doubles as a hot or cold treat, ready in 25 minutes.

Italian biscotti with candied cherries, chopped nuts, and a hint of star anise. Twice-baked for that signature dry crackly snap, perfect for dunking in coffee, espresso, or vin santo.

Apple crumble pie with cooked apples and allspice under a chunky streusel topping of flour, sugar, and margarine. No pie crust needed, just a crumble on top.

Decadent chocolate mousse cake: a light, airy chocolate cake kissed with orange liqueur and zest, made by folding whipped egg whites into a rich chocolate batter, then frosted with chocolate mousse.

Chocolate jimmy cake studded with chocolate sprinkles, flavored with cold coffee, and topped with a creamy vanilla frosting. A nostalgic New England bakery-style cake baked in a springform pan.

Silky chocolate custard pie spiked with Courvoisier cognac, topped with cognac-laced whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A no-bake filling that chills to velvety perfection in a flaky pre-baked crust.

Chocolate dunking cookies cut into long fingers, baked firm for plunging into milk or coffee. Egg-white-based, lower fat than typical, with cocoa powder backbone.

Serve with vanilla icecream or a dollop of best available double cream

Frozen turtle pie with an Oreo crust layered with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce, and nuts. A no-bake freezer dessert that slices clean.

Creamy caramel custard (flan) made with cream cheese, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla, baked in a water bath over caramelized sugar. Lighter with fat-free milks.

No bake death by chocolate trifle layers devil's food cake, Kahlua, chocolate pudding, crushed Heath bars, and whipped topping. A potluck-ready chocolate dessert in 15 minutes, no oven required.

Cherry with almonds are always a good combination, and this cake is very delicious with cherry and almonds mixing.

Raspberry meringue cookies piped into rosettes and baked low and slow until crisp. Light as air with real raspberry preserves folded into the meringue.

A simple chocolate mousse with melted chocolate chips, whipped egg whites, yolks, and whipped topping folded together. Optional marbled finish gives it a streaked, gourmet look.