Crème au caramel is a wonderful dessert recipe for holiday dinners. Not only is the flavor mellow, sophisticated, and versatile; this bistro classic can be made up to one day in advance. Served in an impressive pool of homemade caramel, it needs no garnish other than an attractive plate. Bon appetit!

Crème au Caramel Photo: ©Muriel Amaury

Holiday Cookie Exchange 2009

From Elizabeth LaBau, Candy: Gingerbread Truffles are soft, fragrant truffle balls that taste just like gingerbread cookie dough! These delicious candies feature gingersnaps, spices, toasted nuts, and white chocolate, for an easy, decadent holiday treat. From Jessica Harlan, Cooking Equipment: These spritz cookies are delicate and rich, thanks to the addition of cream cheese in the dough. Use a cookie press to turn the dough into beautiful shapes that can be decorated with sugars and sprinkles.

This country-style casserole of chicken stewed in wine is a fantastic chilly weather main course. Serve it with crisp greens drizzled with rosemary white wine vinaigrette, a fresh baguette, and good wine for a complete, easy meal. Bon appetit!

Coq au Vin - Chicken Stewed in Wine Photo: ©Rebecca Franklin, Licensed to About.com

2009 Holiday Cookie Exchange

From Barbara Rolek, Eastern European Food: Kolaczki exist in most Eastern European cuisines and are spelled variously as kolaci, kolache, kolacky, kolachky, among others. Fillings run the gamut of apricot to raspberry to prune to cheese, and some truly untraditional flavors like pineapple are sneaking into the mix. This recipe starts with a flaky cream cheese dough. Czech Bar Cookies or cukrovi are a delightful blend of nuts, almond paste and strawberry filling. Best of all, they're easy to make and keep well.

From Carroll Pellegrinelli, Baking: Butter
Spritz Cookies are small delicate cookies that are made with a cookie press. Cookie presses typically come with several disks to make various shaped cookies like Christmas trees, hearts, flowers and so on.

Polish Kolaczki Photo: ©Barbara Rolek, Licensed to About.com

This cranberry brie crepes recipe, both savory and sweet, is delicious year round, but it is particularly irresistible after big holiday meals. Refreshing, tangy cranberry sauce combines with creamy, flavorful melted Brie cheese to make a perfect appetizer or light dinner. Adding succulent pieces of roasted turkey or chicken makes a marvelous addition to this already scrumptious dish. Bon appetit!

Cranberry Brie Crepes Photo: ©Seth Woodworth

Perfect for a quick, weekday dinner, this maple-roasted squash recipe is as versatile as it is easy. Serve it alone, on a bed of greens, or as a accompaniment to roasted poultry. You can't go wrong with tender, caramelized butternut squash! Bon appetit!

Maple-Roasted Squash Photo: ©Fimb