Baking

Translated from medieval Scottish, farl means, "the fourth part." In this version, quartered rounds of dark bread are sweetened with treacle, which is similar to molasses, and lightly spiced with ginger. The mixture may occasionally include a handful of raisins or other dried fruit, but the bread is always served sliced and buttered, with a cup of tea.

This luscious homespun treat is great with vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Sardinia, Italy Diamond-shaped papassinas are especially good with a cup of coffee. The flavor of these cookies gets even better after a few days.

Jason Corrigan, of A Touch of Garlic in Springfield, Massachusetts, writes: "As the chef at a small Italian restaurant, I have only two nights per week off. That's when I like to come up with simple dishes that my four-year-old daughter and I can make together at home. Well, mostly she just does a lot of pouring and stirring, but she loves to help. I hope one day her younger sister will, too." Make and chill these a day ahead for a treat that doesn't require much last-minute effort.

Frangipane is typically a ground almond filling; here, walnuts are used in a similar preparation. You can make the frangipane and cut out the pastry one day ahead.

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 45 min

Bright red berries and a sour cream topping make this luscious cheesecake a Christmas favorite at the Old Manor Estate & Hotel on Nevis. Begin preparing the dessert a day before you plan to serve it.

A bowl of fresh fruit and some mixed nuts would be very nice go-withs here.

These look very pretty when presented on a plate of sliced strawberries.

A quick almond crust gets filled with ice cream and topped with cardamom-scented whipped cream and berries.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

A delicious, healthful breakfast treat.