RecipesBlack Forest Chocolate Torte If you’re thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
RecipesHoney Chipotle Ribs Nothing is better than having a sauce with the perfect slather consistency. Here’s one that will ensure a lip-smacking feast. Go ahead and make the sauce up to a week ahead for an easier grilling experience. —Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts
RecipesGrandma’s Oatmeal Bars While I was growing up, I enjoyed my grandma’s oatmeal bars every Christmas. This recipe reminds me of her and Christmastime as a child. And now I fix the bars for my family. —Nancy Hawkins, Brookville, Indiana
RecipesNew England Iced Tea While growing up in Massachusetts, my family spent summers at our cottage. These cocktails for the adults were a regional variation on Long Island iced tea, and they always showed up at clambakes on the beach. —Ann Liebergen, Brookfield, Wisconsin
RecipesSlow-Cooker Berry Cobbler I adapted my mom’s yummy cobbler recipe for slow cooking. With the hot summers here in Arizona, we can still enjoy this comforting dessert, and I don’t have to turn on the oven. —Karen Jarocki, Yuma, Arizona
RecipesSmoked Salmon Cherry Tomatoes These bright red festive bites are a show stopping finger food during the holiday season, at Easter and for the Fourth of July. With the smoked salmon filling, these appetizers seem elegant…and they’re convenient because you can prepare them ahead.
RecipesRhubarb Coffee Cake with Caramel Sauce Growing up, this recipe was a favorite of mine. I couldn’t wait for the rhubarb to ripen so Mom could bake this delicious coffee cake. Now this special recipe is part of my own collection. —Angie Fehr, Ottosen, Iowa
RecipesMediterranean Shrimp Couscous “This is a low fat, flavorful recipe that my family loves!” It’s light and elegant and all the flavors work really well together; you’ll be proud to serve this dish to your friends and family. Heather Carroll – Colorado Springs, Colorado
RecipesBroiled Parmesan Tilapia Even picky families will change their minds about eating fish with this toasty, cheesy Parmesan-coated entree. I serve it with mashed cauliflower and a green salad for a low-carb meal everyone loves. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
RecipesKansas City Barbecue Sauce This tangy Kansas City BBQ sauce is lip-smacking good. It’s thick, and a little sweet with a touch of heat. If you like it spicy, add a little more hot sauce or chili powder. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
RecipesRaspberry Truffle Cocktail This adults-only hot chocolate is a decadent addition to any holiday gathering. It can easily be adapted to dairy lovers’ tastes by substituting chocolate milk and heavy cream for the almond products.—Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
RecipesChunky Sausage Lentil Soup Lentils are an inexpensive but nutritious power food, and these days, a hot, filling and flavorful family meal at a great price is a real comfort. My husband just loves this soup and it freezes well. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey
RecipesWarm Cider Cranberry Punch I first made this at an instructional cooking camp. My kids loved it so much that, for a time, they insisted we make it every day. Serve it hot in the winter or with the ice during the summer. —Carol Gehringer, Raleigh, North Carolina
RecipesLemon Cream Scones As a quick way to warm everyone up, I make these lemony scones to go with a pot of hot tea. Sometimes I like to add dried cherries to the batter, to jazz it up a little.—Angela Matz, West Allis, Wisconsin
RecipesSpiced Garlic Carrots This classic Moroccan side dish is served as often as possible, hot or as a cold salad, in most Sephardic Jewish homes. The natural sweetness of the carrots tempers the garlic and balances the sizzle of the pepper flakes. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
RecipesPeppermint Crunch Christmas Cookies Several years ago, I took a basic shortbread recipe and turned it into a much more festive Christmas cookie. These gems are now a family favorite and are among the best Christmas cookies of the holiday season. —Heather Carter, Wasilla, Alaska