Cake

A thick layer of pure white chocolate truffle separates the amaretto-brushed layers, and a bit more truffle filling is used to flavor the whipped cream icing.

Fruit — such as kiwi, orange, pineapple and berries — is a nice garnish for this cake. If you like, puree some of the berries with sugar to make a colorful sauce.

Because this cake has a special place in my husband's heart, I named it after him. It's best warm, so bake it as you eat dinner.

"Recently my future in-laws came to dinner for the first time. My fiancé had mentioned their love of chocolate and coconut, so I knew I had to dazzle them with a sensational dessert," writes Sarah Smythe of New London, Connecticut . "This cheesecake worked beautifully."

Using sweet soda pop in dessert recipes is a southern tradition.

The cake layers are brushed with Strega, an Italian liqueur flavored with herbs and flowers. Removing the torte from the freezer an hour before serving allows the whipped-cream frosting to soften, while the filling remains frozen.

The traditional French "Christmas log" is accompanied by meringue mushrooms; the ones here—formed out of marzipan (a paste made from almonds, sugar and egg whites)—are much easier to do. Look for marzipan at specialty foods stores and in the baking products section of supermarkets.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

Bake this at least a day before serving.

The Italian combination of chocolate and hazelnuts, called gianduia, is used here in a sumptuous, dense cake. The torte's lustrous chocolate glaze makes this a perfect dessert for holiday entertaining.

Vanilla bean and brandy accent the cake, and a few raspberries tint the peach topping a delicate pink.

Kind of a cross between a steamed pudding and a brownie, this rich-tasting dessert has only 1 tablespoon of added fat.

Italian fruitcakes with Frangelico chocolate sauce If you don't have the mini Bundt molds called for, oversize muffin cups (about one-cup capacity) can be used instead. Begin preparing this at least a week ahead.

We tried several different brands of whole-wheat and found that Pepperidge Farm loaves have a slight sweetness that works especially well in this torte.