Chocolate

The fudge can be cut into three wide bars. Wrap each in cellophane and tie with ribbon, adding a butter knife to the bow.

John and Tori Nicholas of Indianapolis, Indiana, write: "We had such a wonderful time exploring New Orleans that my wife and I are now hopelessly hooked on the Big Easy. We play lots of Cajun music, and last week we rented the movie A Streetcar Named Desire. The best part of our trip was the chocolate bread pudding at Red Fish Grill." The sugar topping becomes crunchy when baked, creating a perfect contrast to the creamy chocolate pudding underneath.

Connie Capani of Binghamton, New York, writes:"I am 100 percent Italian, so perhaps it's no surprise that I love food: To Italians, it's like a security blanket. I learned how to make spaghetti and other Abruzzi favorites from my mother. Looking at food magazines is what got me interested in venturing out into American culinary territory. I wanted to know how to make a "gravy" that didn't include tomatoes. These days, I work only part-time as a substitute teacher, but I still don't want to be in the kitchen the whole time when my husband and I entertain. " Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Begin making this one day before serving.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Tiramisú Eggnog Trifle .

Melting the chocolate in the pear poaching liquid makes an instant sauce.

Espresso and a selection of favorite liqueurs are good with the brownies.

Reminiscent of fragrant Mexican chocolate (which is spiced with cinnamon), and as fudgy as a chocolate truffle, this dessert will serve many more than six, but leftovers will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator.

These ultra-rich and sophisticated chocolate tartlets are served at Bittersweet Pastry Shop.

What to drink: Offer robust French roast coffee, but also a vintage or ruby Port.

If you like the candies called Turtles, you'll love this tart. It needs to be refrigerated at least eight hours before serving.

If Original Sin were a cake, this would be it.

This is it, the decadent pie that seduced the seductive Marilyn Monroe. She simply couldn't get enough of it. Patch brought this recipe with him from Arkansas, where it was named for his sister Milton.

Parfait is the French word for "perfect," and these elegant little treats live up to the billing. Served straight from the freezer, their texture is similar to ice cream's, but they take on a mousselike consistency when thawed for a minute or two on the plate.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Flourless Chocolate-Orange Almond Cake .