Coconut Cream Pie with Chocolate-Painted Crust Plain and Perfect Pie Crust: 4 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons sugar 12 ounces (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1/2 cup ice water (strain out the ice just before using) 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 9-inch Plain and Perfect Pie Crust, prebaked and cooled, recipe follows 3 ounces semisweet chocolate 3 1/2 cups whole, 2 percent fat, or 1 percent fat milk 1/2 cup canned cream of coconut (recommended: Coco Lopez) 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 8 egg yolks 1 1/3 cups sugar 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 3/8 cup chilled heavy cream 3/4 cup flaked or shredded coconut Pie Crust: In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), mix the flour, salt, and sugar for 1 minute. Add the butter and mix just until you have a crumbly, sandy mixture. You should still be able to see the pieces of butter. In a small bowl, stir the water and vinegar together. With the mixer running at medium speed, drizzle in the water-vinegar mixture and mix just until a dough forms. You should still see small bits of butter. Turn out onto a work surface, divide the dough in 1/2, and shape into 2 round, flat disks. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before using. (Or, refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze up to 1 month before using. If frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out.) When the time comes to roll out the dough, let the dough warm up for a few minutes at room temperature. Dust a work surface with just a few tablespoons of flour and keep some extra flour at hand. If you like, you can roll out the dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper (flouring the bottom sheet and the top of the dough before rolling), which makes it much easier to transfer to the pan later on. However, you won't be able to check the progress of the dough as easily. It's entirely up to you. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough and start rolling outward from the center with quick, light strokes. Don't worry if the edges split a bit; concentrate on getting a good circle going from the center. Lift up and rotate the dough 1/4 turn every minute or so to help ensure even rolling. The dough should feel smooth and soft; some say it should feel like the inside of your forearm. If it gets sticky, sprinkle on a bit more flour, but don't do this more than 2 or 3 times; the dough will absorb too much flour. Instead, put it back in refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm the butter up. Keep rolling until the circle is at least 2 inches larger than your pan (for example, 11 inches wide for a 9-inch pie pan), or 3 inches larger for deep-dish pies. Set your pie or tart pan nearby. We always use heavy aluminum pans, because glass pans seem to bake the crust too fast. However, we know that the advantage of glass is that you can easily check the color of the crust. Again, it's up to you. Either choice will work. To transfer the crust to the pan, we find it easiest to roll a finished crust up onto the rolling pin, then gently unroll it in the pan. Or, you can fold it gently in quarters, lift it up, position the center point on the center of the pan, and unfold it into the pan. If using waxed paper, peel off the top layer, turn the crust gently into the pan, and peel off the remaining paper. Make sure that the dough is allowed to settle completely into the pan. Don't stretch and press the dough into the corners; stretched dough will likely shrink back when you bake it. Instead, lift the edges of the crust to let it settle down into the corners. If the dough tears a bit, don't be concerned; we'll patch it in a minute. Using scissors or a sharp knife, trim the dough to within 3/4-inch of the rim. Use any extra scraps to patch the crust, pressing with your fingers (wet them if necessary) or set aside. Working around the rim, turn the crust under itself (not under the rim of the pan) to make a thick edge, pressing it firmly against the pan to reduce shrinkage. To decorate the rim, just press it all around with the back of a fork. For a slightly more advanced look, press the thumb and forefinger of one hand together. Use them to gently push the thick dough rim outward, while pushing inward with the forefinger of the other hand, so that they intersect in a "V" with the dough in between. Repeat all around the rim to make a wavy edge. Chill 20 minutes before baking. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the inside of the chilled crust with aluminum foil (don't turn down over the rim, but leave the extra sticking up so that you have something to hold on to). Fill the foil all the way up to the top of the shell with pie weights, rice, or dried beans. (Pie weights are reusable metal or ceramic pellets that hold the crust in place as it bakes. You can buy them at cooking supply stores.) Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until dry and beginning to turn "blond". Lift the foil and weights out of the shell and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, checking frequently to prevent overbaking, until medium brown. In the top half of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, stir the chocolate until melted. Using a pastry brush, brush the baked pie shell up to the rim with the melted chocolate. Set aside to cool and harden at room temperature or, uncovered, in the refrigerator. In a large saucepan, bring the milk, cream of coconut, and vanilla bean to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg yolks and sugar together until pale yellow and fluffy. With the mixer running at low speed, mix in the cornstarch, then gradually pour in the hot milk mixture. Strain the mixture back into the saucepan to smooth it and remove the vanilla bean. Whisking constantly, cook over medium-high heat until thick and just boiling. When the mixture thickens, the whisk will leave trail marks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture will have a few large bubbles boiling up to the top. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and stir in the butter. Half-fill a large bowl with ice water. Rest the bowl containing the custard in the ice water and let cool, stirring frequently to cool the mixture. When the custard is cool, whip the cream until stiff. Fold the whipped cream and coconut into the custard. Pour the mixture into the chocolate-coated pie shell and smooth the top. Refrigerate uncovered at least 2 hours. (Or refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 24 hours.) Serve cold.

Strawberry Shortcake Non-stick vegetable spray, for coating the pans 1 1/2 cups cake flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup milk 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon extract 3 large eggs 1 1/4 cups sugar 2 pints fresh strawberries 1 recipe whipped cream frosting Whipped Cream Frosting: 1 teaspoon gelatin 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees with a rack in the middle of the oven. Lightly coat 2 (9-inch) cake pans with nonstick vegetable spray. Line the bottoms with a circle of baking parchment. Into a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt together, 3 times. In a small saucepan, bring the milk and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and lemon extracts. In separate mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until pale yellow, and fluffy, and doubled in volume. While still beating, drizzle in the hot milk mixture. Fold in the flour mixture. Spread the batter in the prepared pans and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden, the center springs back when lightly pressed, and a cake tester comes out clean. Set the pans on a rack to cool. Run the tip of a knife around the edges of the cakes to loosen them, and turn them out of the pans. Whipped Cream Frosting: In a medium bowl, mix together the gelatin and 1/4 cup of the cream. Let rest for 5 minutes to soften, then place the bowl over barely simmering water until the gelatin has completely dissolved. Remove the bowl from the heat and let cool to tepid. In the meantime, in a mixing bowl, whip the cream until slightly thickened. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and whip to the consistency of shaving cream. Fold 1/2 cup of the whipped cream into the gelatin mixture, then fold in the rest. Wash and dry the strawberries. Pick out the 12 best. Stem and slice the rest. Lay the sliced berries over 1 cake, then spread a 1/2-inch layer of whipped cream on top. Place the second cake over the first. Frost the entire cake with the remaining whipped cream. Top with the 12 whole berries.

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE Non-stick vegetable spray 1/4 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped 1 cup milk 2 1/2 cups sugar 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 6 ounces creamy peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease with vegetable spray. Sprinkle the peanuts over the bottom of the pan. Put the milk and sugar in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Boil over medium heat, occasionally stirring to keep from sticking. Cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F (soft ball). Remove from the heat and gently place the butter, peanut butter and vanilla in the pan, taking care not to disturb the syrup. Do not stir. Let the mixture cool down for 5 minutes, then beat vigorously with a spoon or the flat beater of a stationary mixer until dense and smooth. Turn the fudge into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a metal spatula. With a sharp knife, score into portions. Let set, 45 minutes then cut into 1 1/3-inch squares.

Chocolate Fudge and Golden Layer Cake Baked From the Heart! 3 cups sifted cake flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon pure almond extract 1 cup milk (whole, 2 percent fat, or 1 percent fat) For the chocolate fudge frosting: 12 tablespoons butter 6 cups confectioners' sugar 6 ounces (3 squares) unsweetened chocolate, melted 1 tablespoons vanilla 1/3cup milk Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together 3 times and set aside. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the sugar and mix until blended. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each addition until blended. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix. With the mixer running at low speed, and working in alternating batches, add the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, mixing just to combine after each addition. Mix until just smooth. Pour into 2 cake pans. Bake until risen, golden, and firm to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pans. For the frosting: In a mixer with a whip attachment, cream the butter well. Add the confectioners' sugar gradually. Add the melted chocolate, then the vanilla. Add the milk by spoonfuls until you have reached a fudgy yet spreadable consistency. Once the cakes have cooled, place 1 layer on a serving platter and cover the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top of that but bottom-side up, to create a nice flat top. Press down to secure the layer. Frost the top and sides using a swirling motion. Or if you want it to look more professional, do a crumb layer of frosting, chill, then do a topcoat.

Peach Pie with Almond Crumble Topping Sweet dough for 1 crust pie Topping: 1 cup all-purpose bleached flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 cup sliced almonds 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Filling: 3 pounds firm, ripe, yellow fleshed free stone peaches, about 8 or 9 medium peaches 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose bleached flour 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter To make topping: Combine flour, sugar and nutmeg in a mixing bowl; stir well to mix and stir in sliced almonds. Stir in butter evenly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then, using your fingertips, break the mixture into 1/4 to 1/2-inch crumbs. Set aside again while you prepare the filling. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and set racks at middle level. Roll out bottom crust and arrange in 9-inch Pyrex plate. To make filling: Peel the peaches by cutting a cross in the blossom end of each and dropping them three at a time into a pan of boiling water. Remove after 20 or 30 seconds with a slotted spoon or skimmer and drop them into a bowl of ice water. If the peaches are ripe, the skin will slip off easily. If it does not, remove the skin with a sharp stainless steel paring knife. (If you peel it with a knife, include an extra peach for what you have peeled away.) Hold each peeled peach gently in your left hand over a mixing bowl (if you are left handed reverse.) With a stainless steel paring knife make a cut through to the pit, from stem to blossom end. Make another cut about 3/4-inch to the right of the first one along the outside of the peach. Angle the knife blade back so the cuts meet at the pit. Twist the knife blade upward slightly as a wedge of peach will fall into the bowl. Continue in the same manner around the peach, cutting it into 8 to 10 wedges. Discard the pit and repeat with remaining peaches. Add remaining ingredients, except the butter, to the peaches and stir gently with a rubber spatula to combine. Pour filling into the prepared pastry shell and smooth. Dot with the butter. Scatter the crumb topping evenly over the filling. Place pie on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees and move pie to the middle rack. Bake another 30 minutes, or until the crust and crumble are a deep golden and the juices are just beginning to bubble up. Cool the pie on a rack and serve warm or room temperature.