Cooking & Baking, Food & Wine

"What's for desert?" is a question that heralds great expectations. If you thrive on the admiration of friends, get a warm glow from the oohs and aahs of your family or just love creating a sweet treat to spoil yourself, The Essential Dessert Cookbook deserves a place in your kitchen. Some deserts can be whipped up in a matter of minutes, others need to be left to chill for a couple of hours (torture, but the results are worth it) and a few are truly spectacular works of art, oozing chocolate and cream and demanding a day to be lovingly fussed over.