Frozen Dessert

(GELATO AL CAFFE) This gelato is an all-time favorite.

Begin preparing this delicious dessert at least one day ahead.

Nougat is an egg white, honey and nut confection traditional in the city of Montélimar, in the Rhône Valley. It is one of the 13 sweets offered to churchgoers on Christmas Eve. Start making this impressive dessert at least one day before you plan to serve it, although it can be prepared up to one week ahead.

Purchased pineapple-coconut ice cream and mango and boysenberry sorbets make this dessert easy. The terrine needs to freeze overnight before serving.

Coffee ice cream, a chocolate-cookie crust and chocolate-covered coffee beans add up to a terrific party dessert. Begin making the cake one day before serving.

(GELATO DI FRAGOLLA)

This is an elegant dessert, light but filled with berry flavor — and it's much easier to make than it looks. The generous crust is made from store-bought shortbread, so rich in butter there's no need to add more. We used Walkers, a pure-butter shortbread from Scotland that's widely available in supermarkets.

Because the oil in the pistachio paste separates from the solids, it is necessary to blend the contents of the entire can of paste in a food processor until it is creamy and light in texture.

The classic dessert goes tropical in this luscious rendition featuring pineapple and coconut.

Here's an ultra-rich ice cream that's loaded with pecans and chocolate chunks.

A new take on a classic. For an exotic touch, sprinkle with chopped crystallized ginger before serving.

This impressive frozen dessert has a crisp gingersnap crust, cool mango and lime sorbet filling, and refreshing fruit topping.

Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 9 hr