Snack

(Chocolate Rum Cookies)

Though the cranberries look gorgeous, you wouldn't want to eat them—they're extremely tart when raw. The mint leaves, however, are positively delicious. Fresh raw cranberries yielded the most attractive garnish; thawed frozen berries may collapse and shrivel. Feel free to increase the amounts we've provided here if you'd like to make your decoration more elaborate.

These muffins have the comforting flavor of graham crackers, with just a hint of cinnamon and sugar.

"One night when friends were coming over for cocktails, I wanted to make some hors d'oeuvres," says Amy Sue Keck of San Diego, California. "Though most tapenades I've tasted have been made with black olives and anchovies, I only had green olives in my cabinet—and no anchovies! So I added some toasted almonds instead, and my green "tapenade" was a hit. I still make it this way."

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The nutty, slightly spicy flavor of the sweet red wine works well with the berries in this dish. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 45 min

This fruit leather makes a satisfying energy snack and is delicious in place of chutney on a sandwich (we loved it in a ham and cheese wrap). For an easy hors d'oeuvre, spread 4 tablespoons softened mild goat cheese onto an 8-inch square of leather. Sprinkle the cheese with 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios and tightly roll up leather into a log. Chill the log and slice it into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.

These can be served as hors d'oeuvres, or placed atop a salad of spinach, walnuts and sliced apples.

Keep the fried shallots, dip, chips, and raw vegetables separately; just before digging in, top the dip with shallots.

These tender biscuit-like pastries are sprinkled with Greek cheese just before baking.

I'm still telling my friends about the cherry-almond coffee cake from the White Rose Inn in Emporia, Kansas. I had it for breakfast in the morning, then requested it again with my tea the same afternoon. Virginia Doser Corona Del Mar, California

Here's a light way with stuffed vegetables.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.