Chocolate

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Crusts made of ground biscotti and almonds accent this do-ahead dessert.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 25 min

Dorothy Williams of Vancouver, British Columbia, writes: "To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband and I spent a week in Victoria, British Columbia. We particularly enjoyed Abigail's Hotel, where we had some delicious carrot-coconut cupcakes." For a lovely breakfast muffin, omit the cream cheese frosting.

Scoops of purchased chocolate, vanilla, and coffee ice creams are topped with three different do-ahead sauces.

The rich flavor of espresso is a perfect partner to the chocolate. Place each piece of fudge in a paper or foil candy cup and arrange in gift boxes lined with holiday paper.

The following is a moist and chocolaty cake suitable for many occasions. Use it to form the base for Tepee Birthday Cakes .

Soda fountains were a natural fit in drugstores because the skills of an old-time pharmacist, who actually manufactured medicine, translated seamlessly into the skills of a confectioner who concocted exotic syrups for sodas, phosphates, sundaes, and milkshakes. Nowadays, most vintage soda fountains buy their syrups ready made. But there is one sweetshop treat that no one has yet been able to bottle or package so it tastes as good as a batch fresh off the stove: hot fudge sauce.

End the Christmas celebration with this spectacular dessert: a dense fudge-like cake covered with a luscious white chocolate and tangerine mousse.

Making one large shortcake is impressive and lot of fun — especially when chocolate is added to the basic combination.

The lusciously sticky caramel-pecan top layer in this brownie was inspired by the chewy chocolate candies called "turtles."

France's classic flourless chocolate cake is a perennial favorite on dessert lists. Ours has a trendy tropical garnish of mango and crystallized ginger and is served warm.

These dense, moist treat are irresistible. Wrapped in a pretty box, they make a great gift, too.

The crust of this gorgeous dessert is brushed with a layer of melted milk chocolate for a sweet surprise.

Definitely not Ye Olde English Classic, but very delicious and very contemporary. Using store-bought sponge cake (ask for it at your supermarket bakery) or pound cakes simplifies assembly.