Baking

These first-course soufflés are just right for entertaining because most of the preparation is done ahead.

The name for this flaky pastry comes from the French term for a Venetian blind, which-like the dessert-has slit openings through which one can peek.

Fruit — such as kiwi, orange, pineapple and berries — is a nice garnish for this cake. If you like, puree some of the berries with sugar to make a colorful sauce.

An adaptation of a recipe from Nashville's Zola restaurant. Chef-owner Debra Paquette and pastry chef Renée Kasman created this sophisticated dessert.

Tangelos are a cross between tangerines and grapefruits. This dessert could be made with tangerines in place of the tangelos. We find using turbinado sugar (purified raw sugar) instead of granulated sugar on top of the custards results in a more evenly caramelized crust that shatters at the tap of a spoon.

These quick and easy pizzas make great use of store-bought pizza dough, which is available in your grocer's freezer.

Because this cake has a special place in my husband's heart, I named it after him. It's best warm, so bake it as you eat dinner.

Spice Cookies Rice paper is traditionally used in this recipe, but is not essential. You can bake these cookies on buttered baking sheets instead.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr