Frozen Dessert

Begin making these frozen treats at least one day before serving.

Candida Sportiello writes: "As owner and chef of Il Giardino restaurant, on the tiny island of Ventotene off the coast of Naples, I've been cooking professionally for twenty-five years — but I've been cooking for pleasure for a good fifty years. As is the Italian way, most of my favorite recipes were handed down from my mother and grandmother, so they date from the early 1900s." This rich dessert is called a semifreddo ("half frozen") in Italian.

The sorbet can be processed in an ice cream maker or simply frozen in a shallow container (a 13x9-inch metal or glass baking pan works best).

A decadent, impressive dessert that appeals to everyone's inner Boy Scout or Girl Scout. Begin preparing this dish a day ahead.

The vitamin C used in this recipe prevents the apple juice from browning.

Here's a party-size ice cream sandwich that everyone will love. We use two 9-inch-diameter cake pans so that the cookies keep their round shape when baking. And there's no need for last-minute fuss; this can be made up to three days ahead.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This gelato, named after Bernardo Buontalenti, a sixteenth-century Florentine who may have been one of the world's original ice-cream makers, is made with any number of flavorings. The "secret" ingredient is usually a liqueur (such as Di Saronno Amaretto). A delicious alternative would be a pinch of mixed spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

I use Nabisco Famous Wafers in this recipe. If you don't use all of the ground wafers (you will probably have a bit left over), save them for sprinkling or layering in other ice cream desserts. You might add instant espresso powder to the crumbs, or some chopped toasted nuts, candies, or other cookies. Try pistachio-white chocolate ice cream rolled in ground chocolate wafers and finely chopped pistachios. Or use chocolate, coffee, cherry, raspberry, or hazelnut ice cream instead of the vanilla.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Make these with fresh rhubarb when it is in season, from late winter through midsummer.

During World War II, chocolate was too valuable to be used for baking. As a result, brownies, which had been a favorite since around the turn of the century, were made less often. With the return to prosperity in the 1950s, this much-loved dessert came back into vogue--and became more popular than ever. Our rich and dense brownies are studded with peanuts and chocolate chips, and are partnered with a rich milk chocolate and peanut butter sauce. They're terrific served with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter-vanilla swirl or peanut butter ice cream. Serve the brownies slightly warm or at room temperature.

A beautiful and elegant dessert that has lots of great berry flavor.

Here's a great idea for a summer dessert. To make preparation even easier, use your favorite cherry or pecan ice cream.