Chocolate

A dusting of powdered sugar dresses this up.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr (includes freezing)

Hazelnut butter gives the cookies a deep, rich flavor. Look for it in natural foods stores. Before measuring the hazelnut butter, stir gently with a fork to mix in any oil that has separated from the butter.

"On the last night of a holiday in Costa Rica, my sweetheart and I had a candlelit dinner at Café Mundo in downtown San José," writes Elizabeth Florence of New York City. "We dined on the front porch of a Victorian house surrounded by tropical flowers. The chocolate cake we had that evening was just incredible. Would chef and owner Ray Johnson part with his recipe?" Serve this with coffee ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Beaten eggs make this cake lighter in texture than most other flourless chocolate cakes.

Begin making this cake one day in advance.

A classic chocolate layer cake with a new-fashioned, thick, and rich frosting. This treat can be made up to two days ahead.

A layer of white chocolate-peppermint icing is sandwiched between the chewy brownie cake and a thick chocolate ganache glaze. To make this treat, you'll need an eight-inch square metal cake pan and parchment paper, sold at cookware stores and well-stocked supermarkets. For convenience, prepare the dessert a day ahead.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 35 min

The recipe for this bread pudding was created by the Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania's Central Bar & Grill's former pastry chef, Alison Barshak. She is now the executive chef at Striped Bass in Philadelphia.

A quick one-bowl cake perfect for a last-minute birthday celebration or part dessert. Use the Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting recipe that follows or your favorite purchased one.

These cakes are slightly underbaked so that the chocolate center oozes when cut into.

These delicious chocolate chip cookies are worth the calorie splurge.

Sarah Lockerbie of Indianapolis, Indiana, writes: "When I visited my sister, Jessica, in Los Angeles, she showed me a fabulous time. One of the highlights was dinner at her favorite French restaurant, La Cachette. She's visiting me next month, and I'd like to surprise her by making the delicious dessert that we shared — okay, fought over."

A classic combination of tender shortcrust pastry and soft, candy-like caramel filling.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.