Tunnel-of-Ice-Cream Cake

Angel food cake hiding a circle of ice cream, smothered in whipped cream and served with fresh strawberries is a true celebration of early summer. Best of all, this dessert can wait patiently in the freezer for the happy occasion.

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberries are forever linked with early summer. That's when you bite into a perfect red berry to meet its gush of sweetness. No wonder they star in special events -- weddings, graduations and alfresco socials. When they're matched with cake and whipped cream, you have a dessert worthy of celebration.

Shrimp Casserole

This casserole is great for entertaining friends and family. It can be made with any combination of seafood, such as scallops, crab or lobster. Serve with green beans and an endive salad.

Caramel Chocolate Pecan Tart

Miriam Folkins, the pastry chef at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa in Cambridge, Ont., layers everyone's favourite flavours into this impressive glossy tart.

Lemon-Yuzu Meringue Tarts

Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd and Mascarpone Cream

This classic cake is a sweet ending to a lovely dinner any time of year. If you like, garnish it with curls of lemon rind. A citrus zester with a channel cutter makes this easy. To serve, cut it with a serrated knife.

Painted Tree Cookies

Get creative when painting the glaze onto the trees. Windswept cedars, bending pines and evergreen boughs dotted with tiny bobbles look wintry and festive.

Mango Mousse Cake

Showcase this layered mousse on a pedestal cake plate. Then take it back to the kitchen to cut because you need to wipe the blade with a damp cloth between slices. May is mango season so they are at their peak of flavour now.

Polka-Dot Lemon Sugar Cookies

Spring-themed sugar cookies (such as bunny, carrot, duck, egg and butterfly shapes) welcome the season. Paste food colouring works best for creating pastel hues. Go for multicoloured polka-dots or choose just one colour and white. You'll need many piping bags, but if you have only one, use plastic sandwich bags, cutting away a corner tip of each to pipe through.