Date and Nut Torte With Toffee Sauce

This dense date and nut cake is a twist on British sticky toffee pudding, and it's topped with a luscious caramel sauce that is dead-simple to make. Matzo cake meal is Passover-friendly; look for it in the kosher section, near the matzo farfel.

Granola Bowls

Serve these crunchy granola bowls filled with your favourite yogurt, fresh fruit and a drizzle of fragrant honey. Once cooled, these edible bowls are even sturdy enough to handle a scoop of ice cream, turning breakfast into dessert. This recipe is easily doubled to serve a crowd.

Linzer Torte

To save on time, we've swapped the fussy lattice crust on this Austrian favourite for a cheater crumbled version, which looks and tastes just as great. You can find toasted and peeled hazelnuts in some grocery and bulk food stores.

Rheanna's Gramma's Guyanese Guide Cake

Not for the faint of heart, this dark rich fruit-laden and rum-soaked cake with roots in the Caribbean has a decidedly grown-up taste for the holidays.

Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Sandwich chocolate ice cream with layers of tender cake and sour cherry for a summertime take on a classic Black Forest.

Figure 8 Baltic Birthday Bread

Gisela Fleich of Mount Brydges, Ont., is from Estonia, where this special bread is as common for birthday celebrations as chocolate cake is in Canada. Her children appreciate being feted with this taste of heritage baking, and Gisela also surprises friends of Estonian background on their birthdays.

Pink Grapefruit Shortbread Squares

Rhubarb Ginger Yogurt Parfaits

This sweet granola has a surprising yet gentle hint of ginger and is the perfect partner for the tangy rhubarb topping. Set out the yogurt, granola and compote with small bowls or pretty glasses so guests can make their own parfaits. When combined with plain yogurt, these parfaits may be a bit tangy for young palates, so have a little honey or maple syrup on hand for drizzling.

Jam Streusel Mini Tartlets

Bursting with rustic charm, these easy jam tartlets are a great ending to a family meal. We used cherry jam, but feel free to substitute with your favourite fruit. For extra appeal, serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Brown Butter Trout and Broccoli en Papillote

This sophisticated French cooking method of baking fish in a sealed parchment paper packet makes a great impression and leaves little mess to clean up, so it's perfect for a busy weeknight. If you don't have parchment paper, you can use foil instead. Serve with steamed brown rice.