Banana

The filling of coconut, bananas and cream is sweet, chewy and absolutely delicious. Coconut also makes an appearance in the cookie-like crust.

Mashed banana gives this dessert extra moistness.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"Inventing desserts is my passion," says Laura Gambrill of Washington, D.C.. "This is a twist on an all-time favorite, bananas Foster. The mango, crystallized ginger and pineapple complement the banana and rum nicely — and so does the toasted coconut that I sprinkle on top."

To bake these puffs all at once, you will need 6 mini-muffin pans, each containing twelve 1 3/4- by 1-inch cups. However, you could also make them in batches using fewer pans.

The following is an adaptation of a recipe originally appearing in Gourmet, August 1958.

Named for the four fruits that go into this recipe, the drink is a refreshing accompaniment to brunch at Sarabeth's restaurant in New York.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Grand Marnier and grated orange peel add a touch of elegance to this simple indulgence. Prepare the fondue just before serving, and keep it warm while dipping so that it will remain smooth. Use a traditional fondue pot, or place the pan of the fondue on an electric hot plate. Either way, be sure the heat is low; too much heat will cause the chocolate to burn. Angel food cake, pound cake and a variety of fresh and dried fruits make great accompaniments.

Layers of chocolate crust, chocolate ganache and banana cream filling make a stunning black-and-white combination for this comforting no-bake pie. Mixing melted chocolate with the cookie crumbs produces a crust that becomes crisp when chilled.

This cool indulgence is actually made with light cream cheese and low-fat sour cream. Begin preparing it the day before your party.