Cinnamon

The cookie dough needs to chill overnight, so start this recipe a day ahead.

Raisin-studded egg bread is nice for variety in this recipe. Soaking the bread in the batter a day ahead makes it even easier.

Top this with whipped cream flavored with brown sugar and dark rum.

The texture of these spicy offerings varies according to baking time. Underbake them if you are partial to a chewy cookie; give them an extra minute or two in the oven if a crisp cookie is desired.

This was a recipe that came from my mother, Rae Horowitz. She told me it was from my Grandma Sade Lyon's recipe and she learned to make it from her.

Moist gingerbread is paired with a brandy-spiked dried-fruit compote in this luscious finale to the feast.

This is my recipe for a straightforward apple pie. It reflects not only my preferences but also countless influences. It is intentionally imprecise because there are so many variables to consider. To get it right, you pretty much have to taste as you go along or trust your instincts.

Here's a fine-textured cake with a luxurious cream cheese and whipped cream frosting.

During a summer trip to Santa Fe, Joan Coulliette of Sandy, Utah, had a wonderful baked apple pancake for breakfast at Atalaya restaurant. The restaurant has closed, but we were able to get the recipe for the pancakes.

This recipe originally accompanied Chocolate Napoleons with Mascarpone Cream and Cherry Compote .

This recipe originally accompanied Roast Pork with Port Jus and Chipotle-Glazed Apples .

"This incredible cheesecake was made by the mother of my first boss," says Jim Carrier of Greenwich, Connecticut. "When I called Mrs. Marshall to ask if she would consider showing me how she made it, she warmly replied, 'I would be delighted to share the recipe with you, kid.' On the evening of my 'seminar,' it was a wonderful sight as I walked into her kitchen and found the stage set with all the ingredients and utensils for the important lesson. Mrs. Marshall sat on a wooden stool and directed me through the entire process. 'Pick up that wooden spoon—and save some energy for later,' she said. 'You will be beating the egg whites by hand. We don’t use any electrical appliances in this production except the oven!' I dutifully followed each step. This is a cheesecake recipe to treasure." Although Mrs. Marshall doesn't use any electric appliances to make this cheesecake, feel free to use a food processor for the crumbs and an electric mixer for the filling. The cake will rise as it bakes and fall as it cools. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 6 1/4 hr

Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 5 1/2 hr

Many Mexican desserts are topped with cajeta, a thick caramel sauce. Two caramel elements make this cake especially delicious: a syrup that's drizzled over each layer and caramelized sugar stars on top. Use a variety of star-shaped cookie cutters to make the stars.