Beloved chocolate sandwich cookies stud a vanilla fudge landscape.

Prep: 7 min.; Cook: 13 min.; Other: 2 hr.

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These no-bake treats taste like bite-sized candy bars and are terrific with a cup of coffee. Prepare them up to two days in advance, and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

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This creamy cheesecake has a glistening topping of caramelized, candylike orange slices. Prep and Cook Time: about 2 1/4 hours, plus at least 3 1/2 hours to cool and chill. Notes: For the topping, slice the whole orange as thinly and evenly as possible. If this seems difficult, cut it in half lengthwise, then crosswise in thin slices.

(10) favorite

Mary Frances Noveh from River Ridge, Louisiana, sent us this dessert recipe, which first appeared in December 2001. She noted it was like a "peanut butter and chocolate candy bar." We loved the results, and since it makes two pies, you can share one with a friend and keep the other for yourself. Several tasters in our Test Kitchens enjoy serving this pie frozen.

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Best Cake. In our early days, we often used applesauce to replace fat and keep calories in check in desserts. In 2000, we used butter in a recipe that's nutritionally sound yet boasts rich, moist texture and flavor. --Recipe by Maureen Callahan (March 2000)

(7) favorite

Whole wheat flour adds an unexpected nutty flavor to the oatmeal topping. Removing the foil halfway through baking allows the topping to become crisp and browned.

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Culinary historians believe this originated in New York City in the 1950s at Oscar's at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Regardless of its origins, the dessert pairs red-tinted cake with creamy white frosting--a fitting combination for the holidays.

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Rolled oats add heartiness to the filling of this classic Thanksgiving dessert. Make the pie up to a day ahead, but store it in the refrigerator if you do.

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(5) favorite

Prep: 30 minutes; Cook: 15 minutes; Chill: 4 hours; Bake: 7 minutes.

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For Janet De Fusco's family, these gingerbread cookies are as much a part of Christmas as decorating the tree. Our panel loved their slightly soft texture. The dough works well for many shapes, from gingerbread snowflakes to classic gingerbread people.

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This simple mix-and-drop dough comes together in minutes and may not even require a shopping trip, thanks to its pantry-friendly ingredients.

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A little salt adds depth to sweet foods so they don't taste flat. Use any nuts you like in place of the pistachios and almonds.

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NOTES: To speed prep time or when good fresh peaches are hard to find, substitute 4 pounds thawed frozen sliced peaches for fresh peaches. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Prep and cook time: 1 1/2 hours

(3) favorite

Notes: Serve the warm pancake balls with butter and jam or dusted with powdered sugar. To make filled aebleskiver, add about 1/2 teaspoon jam to the batter in each cup just before you make the first turn. Serve the pancake balls as they are cooked, or keep warm in a napkin-lined basket until all are ready. The batter can also be cooked on a lightly buttered griddle over medium heat to make light, tender pancakes. For mile-high baking, reduce the baking powder to 2 1/2 teaspoons.

(3) favorite