Banana

Susan Murphy of Kansas City, Missouri, writes: "My daughter and I love to spruce up boxed cake mixes with spices, nuts, or fruit. One afternoon we decided to experiment with banana muffin mix instead. We made a very moist cake, filled it with fresh banana slices, then topped it with creamy homemade frosting. It's one of our favorite creations to date."

Begin making this one day before serving.

"My mother and I spent a recent afternoon shopping in Gruene, a small town not far from Austin," writes Martha Witebsky of Austin, Texas. "We loved the tender, fruity cake we had at the River House Tea Room. Would chef Carol Hill share the recipe for what she calls Hummingbird Cake?"

These are great with maple syrup, honey, marmalade, or even cottage cheese.

From Charleston Grill, Charleston, South Carolina.

Giving a nod to tropical fruit, this irresistible treat combines rich ice cream with a nut crust and thick fudge sauce.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Layers of chocolate crust, chocolate ganache and banana cream filling make a stunning black-and-white combination for this comforting no-bake pie. Mixing melted chocolate with the cookie crumbs produces a crust that becomes crisp when chilled.

Thick, oversize pancakes that will satisfy even the hungriest eaters.

Purchased puff pastry and almond paste help make an elegant dessert in minutes.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Couscous is a staple of the Moroccan table. This dessert version is similar to rice pudding. Cream of coconut adds extra flavor.