Baking

The 1990s opened with American cooks finding their way back to some of the foods and flavors of our country's beginning, then modifying them with new knowledge gained over time. Cheesecakes have been around for centuries, but they've never been more popular in the United States than they are right now. Pumpkin, too, is a New World food for which tradition reserves an honored place at any Thanksgiving table. We've teamed up these old favorites with luscious caramel in a creamy dessert that's right in step with the times.

A simple nut crust and a smooth caramel sauce are all the preparation required for this impressive dessert. Be sure to start making it at least 12 hours before serving.

A sweet summer treat that comes together quickly (nectarines rarely need peeling). You may want to serve ice cream alongside, but some softly whipped cream is also delicious.

The following is a moist and chocolaty cake suitable for many occasions. Use it to form the base for Tepee Birthday Cakes .

Here's a sophisticated but easy desert.

End the Christmas celebration with this spectacular dessert: a dense fudge-like cake covered with a luscious white chocolate and tangerine mousse.

This satisfying, old-fashioned cake has a delicious ripple of brown sugar and walnuts running through it.

This dessert looks like a cobbler or pie, but it has the texture of a cake. Top it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Crunchy peanuts team up with peanut butter and caramel in this decadent candy bar-like sweet.

These cookies are a delicious variation on the traditional and are reminiscent of rugelach.

Making one large shortcake is impressive and lot of fun — especially when chocolate is added to the basic combination.

These delicate, buttery crackers make excellent accompaniments to cocktails. After a few days they become somewhat softer but can be recrisped in a 300°F, oven for 5 minutes.

The lusciously sticky caramel-pecan top layer in this brownie was inspired by the chewy chocolate candies called "turtles."

This tart is a snap to put together, thanks to purchased puff pastry. The square shape is something different for the summer table.