RecipesButtermilk Banana Cake Meet the Cook: When I was a girl, this was my family’s favorite Sunday cake. Since I’m “nuts” about nuts, I added the pecans. It became our youngsters’ favorite as well. My husband and I have four grown children and seven grandchildren. -Arlene Grenz, Linton, North Dakota
RecipesOrange Cream Freezer Dessert With its bold orange taste and cool smooth texture, this appealing ice cream dessert is crowd-pleaser. People who ask me for the recipe can’t believe how easy it is to make. Plus, it serves a bunch. -Shannon Caroll Whittier, California
RecipesAlmond Cream Spritz Love spritz cookies at Christmastime? Try this version featuring almond-flavored dough. Sprinkle them with colored sugar for the holidays or chopped almonds for everyday cookies. —Jo-Anne Cooper, Camrose, Alberta
RecipesLi’l Pecan Pies These tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-size pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan
RecipesApple Crumb Tart with Cinnamon Cream I love homemade apple pie but don’t always have time to make it. For a fabulous shortcut, use a cookie mix and precooked apples. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey
RecipesSpiced Peach Puffs We always made cream puffs for special occasions when I was growing up in our family of seven. Sometimes we used a custard filling, but this version with whipped cream and peaches is the best. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
RecipesGrandma’s Star Cookies My husband’s grandma would make these butter cutouts only with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
RecipesNorthwest Salmon Salad I love that I can use my favorite Northwest ingredients—salmon, blueberries and hazelnuts—all in one recipe. The salmon and dressing make a tasty sandwich too. —Davis Clevenger, Dexter, Oregon
RecipesChocolate Mincemeat Bars What would the holidays be without mincemeat for dessert? Even people who say they don’t care for the taste will be surprised to find they love these tender chocolate bars. —Darlene Berndt, South Bend, Indiana
RecipesAustrian Chocolate Balls I love to prepare these chocolate balls for family gatherings, to share at work or when I have a craving for chocolate! They’re not too sweet and the glaze makes them pretty. —Lisa Malshuk, Bellow Falls, Vermont
RecipesSweet Potato Tartlets My family can’t resist sweet potatoes when they’re mashed, placed in crunchy phyllo shells and topped with marshmallows. The bite-size tarts are fun to eat, too! —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico
RecipesCoconut-White Chocolate Cheesecake Friends have suggested over and over that I submit this creation to a magazine because it’s so good. For the best texture, make sure not to overmix the batter. —Jamie Harris, Danville, Illinois
RecipesVeggie Pizza with Herbed Tomato Crust I love this recipe because the crust is so flavorful—tomato juice replaces most of the oil. It’s one of my kids’ favorite meals! —Karen Shipp, San Antonio, Texas
RecipesLemon Curd-Filled Angel Food Cake For a sunny angel food cake, we make a filling of mascarpone, cream cheese and lemon curd, and then drizzle the cake with a lemony sweet glaze. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
RecipesSmoked Salmon Cheesecake “We live on Kodiak Island off the coast of Alaska, and salmon is one of our favorite foods,” writes Becky Applebee of Chiniak, Alaska. “This elegant dish was the star attraction at the open house we hosted at my husband’s business.”
RecipesChoco-Scotch Marble Cake This recipe was given to me many years ago by a friend. Teaming chocolate with butterscotch for a marble cake makes it more flavorful and colorful than the usual chocolate-vanilla combination. This rich family favorite is very moist and keeps well. -Pam Giammattei, Valatie, New York