Snack

These dense, moist treat are irresistible. Wrapped in a pretty box, they make a great gift, too.

These tempting, reduced-fat muffins are a nice way to get started in the morning.

Store-bought crusts make these scrumptious a snap to prepare.

Anadama bread recipes, which date back to pre-Revolutionary New England, all call for molasses and cornmeal for substantial- and delicious- results. This contemporary rendition is no exception.

If fresh figs are difficult to find, a delicious alternative would be toasts or crackers spread with preserves-fig or peach, for example. If opting for preserves, use only half the honey called for in the goat cheese mixture. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Senior editor Karen Kaplan devised these delicious lemon sugar cookies. They're cut into Hanukkah shapes-menorahs, dreidels and Hebrew letters-and decorated with blue and white icing. Wrap them in tins, decorated shoe boxes, hatboxes or pretty bags. They make nice hostess gifts for couples with young children.

These slightly sweet rounds are a cross between a cookie and a cracker. Eat them plain or with jam for breakfast, or top them with cheese for a snack.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Great with barbecued steak and cold beer.

"When I lived in South Africa, rum and raisin chocolate bars were a special treat," says Beth Peterson of Phoenix, Arizona. "I created this brownie recipe based on that combination of flavors, and perfected it with the help of friends and colleagues who sampled the brownies at each stage of development. These have a grown-up taste with the right balance of sweetness and rum." Try these warm with vanilla ice cream.

The recipe for these melt-in-your-mouth pecan crescent cookies has been in my family for years," says Marilynn Bonecki of Marengo, Illinois. "They can be made a couple of weeks in advance, but it's hard to keep them in the house that long." Be sure to chill the dough overnight before shaping and baking the cookies.

Lovers of hummus will appreciate this reduced-fat version. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Loosely translated, tiramisù means "pick me up," and it has been picked up on practically every menu in America. Since the early eighties, it has been one of the most famous Italian-American desserts, and like spaghetti and meatballs, it is far more prevalent here than in Italy. Purchased angel food cake makes this especially easy.

Tart cranberries provide delicious contrast to the rich nut filling.