Blueberry

The ideal summer dessert and make-ahead treat (it can chill for two days before serving). Instead of the traditional custard, whipped cream folded into cream cheese is the easy filling in this version.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 35 min

There are only five employees at The Little Rooster Cafe, a small breakfast and lunch spot, but its terrific food and friendly service make it popular with locals and tourists (especially those who come to browse the town's outlet stores). Chef and co-owner Hub Poelmann features a different waffle every day. "We have an open kitchen," he says. "People smell the waffles cooking, and then order them." Poelmann credits his cooks with this lemon-poppy seed recipe, which was the happy result of "playing around in the kitchen." These light waffles would also be good with maple syrup, if you prefer.

Using frozen blueberries in the batter will keep the fruit from sinking to the bottom of the pan as the cake bakes.

When cleaning any fresh berries, place in a strainer, rinse very lightly with the sink spray hose, shake the strainer to drain water and gently pat dry with paper towels.

Serve this slightly warm or at room temperature. Either way, it's fantastic with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

A quick almond crust gets filled with ice cream and topped with cardamom-scented whipped cream and berries.

Assemble this modern take on a classic English dessert the day before to allow the juices to be absorbed. Look for the soft ladyfingers in the cookie or specialty foods aisle of the supermarket.

This refreshing and truly sparkling dessert adds glamour to any summer dinner. If you can't find Prosecco, use any fruity sparkling wine, such as Asti Spumante.

These colorful treats are like chilled fruity bread puddings. Start making them at least one day and up to two days before serving.

This no-oven-needed crisp can be made with almost any fresh berry (we’d avoid raspberries) and comes together within 45 minutes.

The best fruit pie, complete with a brown sugar streusel topping.