Chocolate

A filling of bittersweet chocolate truffles is the surprise in this elegant dessert from Michele Dennis at Zefiro.

This recipe is from Davina's mother-in-law. The tender cakes are irresistable—especially with whipped cream.

The filling is wonderfully creamy, like ice cream, but is made without using an ice cream machine. Be sure to have plenty of extra fruit to go along with the torte.

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."