Baking

Strawberries marinated in a vanilla-orange syrup add a new twist to these sponge-cake shortcakes. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish : 2 1/2 hr

Great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Save any scraps of this dough to create a decorative design for the top of the pie.

Espresso and a selection of favorite liqueurs are good with the brownies.

Reminiscent of fragrant Mexican chocolate (which is spiced with cinnamon), and as fudgy as a chocolate truffle, this dessert will serve many more than six, but leftovers will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator.

These ultra-rich and sophisticated chocolate tartlets are served at Bittersweet Pastry Shop.

What to drink: Offer robust French roast coffee, but also a vintage or ruby Port.

We love these tarts made with Italian prune plums—small oval plums that turn up at the market from late August until mid-October. These meaty plums have a rich purple-red color and hold their shape well when baked. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 hr

Poppy seeds have a tendency to go rancid quickly, so be sure to use a fresh jar (and refrigerate or freeze it afterwards).

The sauce is reminiscent of that sentimental summertime favorite, the 50/50 Bar.

If you bake the shortbread cookies ahead, these lovely individual tarts, topped with fresh berries and glazed with jelly, can be ready in minutes. An empty eight-ounce can of crushed pineapple makes a convenient cutter for the cookies. Serve some lightly whipped cream on the side, if you like.

If you like the candies called Turtles, you'll love this tart. It needs to be refrigerated at least eight hours before serving.

Minus the ice cream, this delicate pudding makes a wonderfully indulgent breakfast.

Susan Zubert of Rochester, New York, writes: "Whenever my husband and I get to Maui we make a point of eating at one of our favorite restaurants, David Paul's Lahaina Grill. During our last visit, my husband ordered a fabulous berry pie. He enjoyed it so much that I was concerned he was going to pick up the plate and lick it clean. I would love to have the recipe." Fresh berries and crème de cassis (made with black currants) fill this flavorful pie. The addition of sour cream makes the crust exceptionally tender.

If Original Sin were a cake, this would be it.