Bar Cookie

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"Aunt Gert always made the best strudel," writes Leslie Berman of Skokie, Illinois. "I've adapted her recipe over time, and I get rave reviews when I make this version with dried cherries and chocolate." Serve with hot coffee or tea for an excellent afternoon snack.

Fudgy Cocoa Brownies with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

Chocolate-covered raisins turn into fudgy pockets of intense chocolate and chewy raisins in these easy brownies.

Christina has been making these super-easy brownies since she was a teenager.

Cocoa brownies have the softest center and chewiest candylike top "crust" of all because all of the fat in the recipe (except for a small amount of cocoa butter in the cocoa) is butter, and all of the sugar is granulated sugar rather than the finely milled sugar used in chocolate. Use the best cocoa you know for these fabulous brownies.

Wheatmeal crackers (sometimes called digestive biscuits) have a flavor similar to graham crackers. For this particular recipe, we prefer Carr's brand wheatmeal crackers, which are available at supermarkets and labeled as "whole wheat crackers." (Don't use Carr's Wheatolos, which are a bit too sweet.) Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 9 3/4 hr (includes chilling)

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 3/4 hr (includes cooling)

Using stencils to add powdered sugar designs is a great way to dress up the treats.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 45 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The flavor and texture of these chewy confections are even better if they are allowed to rest overnight.

Nobody can resist brownies, especially when they’re studded with chunks of white chocolate and served with strawberries.