Berry

I like to think of this as instant, guilt-free mousse. Honey-and-almond-laced whipped ricotta makes the perfect topping for the berries of your choice. Try layering the berries and the ricotta in a parfait glass for an elegant and easy dessert.

The failure-proof cookie-like crust can be prepared ahead. Use any leftover dough to make a few cookies.

You'll find all the flavors of a traditional Linzertorte — a hazelnut, spice and raspberry jam tart — in this delicious cake. The top is covered with a piped frosting that imitates the lattice crust of the classic dessert. One ingredient that is a definite departure from the original is the Chinese five-spice powder; it adds a lovely nuance.

Strawberries and whipped cream are sandwiched between orange-scented butter cookies in this pretty dessert.

Purchased puff pastry and almond paste help make an elegant dessert in minutes.

Any colorful combination of seasonal fruit can be used to decorate this pretty dessert.

Here's a great combination of colors and flavors that add up to a pretty and refreshing seasonal finale.

From Figtree's Cafe in Venice, California.

If you're short on time, you can skip the white chocolate decoration.

This recipe originally accompanied Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake with Cranberry Raspberry Compote Also good over ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Perfect for the holiday season. Cranberries add tang to the filling of these colorful sandwich cookies. You will have some small unsandwiched cookies, too.

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.