Baking

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 3 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Use a cherry pitter to remove the pits before cutting the cherries in half.

This irresistible pie features a delicious homemade marshmallow topping.

Here is a savory soda bread with the distinct flavor of dill seeds.

Prepared puff pastry makes this easy.

The flavor of this rich chocolate cake is terrific the day it's baked but becomes even deeper over time; we suggest making it at least one day ahead. And it works particularly well as cupcakes.

Few cookies are easier to make or more sublime to eat. I created them for my beautiful Hungarian mom, who called them finum, or refined. Sometimes we eat them with a strong cup of coffee as we play Scrabble, or after dinner, with a slightly chilled glass of sweet Tokay wine.

Few desserts are as comforting or satisfying as a simple egg custard. Here we've dressed things up a bit with some extra spice and a fruit compote.