Stand Mixer

This cake has all the lightness of its pale vanilla with an extra fillip of chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder added to the batter; the orange glaze brings out the chocolatiness even more. And the self-rising cake flour, which helps the dessert to rise triumphantly high, virtually guarantees a perfect-every time creation. A flavorful sherbet, such as banana or raspberry, makes an ideal accompaniment to this cake.

Potatoes lend moistness, and caraway seeds and onions--two ingredients favored by German, Scandinavian and Eastern European immigrants--add flavor to these traditionally shaped rolls.

A beautiful special-occasion dessert that can be prepared a day before serving. Any leftover raspberry filling is delicious on toast or pancakes.

These little cakes can be put in the center of a gift basket filled with other goodies, or wrapped in foil and festive holiday paper to be given on their own.

Vermont's maple sugaring season is in early spring, and Vermont Grade B maple syrup-which has a more pronounced flavor than Grade A-is available by mail order in quart-size containers from Highland Sugarworks, Websterville, VT, tel. (800) 452-4012.

A touch of cardamom lends subtle spice to these innovative crescent-shaped rolls.

This cookie is popular in most of Eastern Europe. It features a tender pastry and, in this rendition, a delicious not-too-sweet cranberry and walnut filling. The cookies are formed by rolling up triangles of the pastry into small crescents.

This recipe originally accompanied Strawberry Basket Cake .

Probably named for the Russian royal family, this dish gained popularity at San Francisco's Palace Hotel.

This cake keeps well and feeds a crowd. The "crumble" is simply a middle layer of pecans, brown sugar, butter and cocoa.

Scented with grated orange peel and spices, this dish is a combination of classic holiday flavors. You can make it a day ahead and reheat it on the stove top or in the microwave.

These buttery cinnamon cookies are David's all-time favorite. Make them and you'll see why.