DAY Recipe

When I lived in South Africa, rum and raisin chocolate bars were a special treat,” says Beth Peterson of Phoenix, Arizona. “I created this brownie recipe based on that combination of flavors, and perfected it with the help of friends and colleagues who sampled the brownies at each stage of development. These have a grown-up [...]

For the crispiest cookies, slice the dough no thicker than a half inch. The biscotti keep well and look great wrapped in tinted cellophane tied with a silk ribbon or raffia, or packed into pretty holiday bags.

Makes about 48.

INGREDIENTS
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Tender chocolate shortbread topped with a rich chocolate ganache just might be the perfect gift for the chocoholics on your list. For an elegant accent, decorate the shortbread with gold leaf, place the cookies on a tray or round platter lined with gold-colored tissue paper, and wrap it all up with cellophane and gold ribbon.

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“I like to keep sweets on hand during the holidays just in case someone drops in,” says Laurie Schielock of Miami, Florida. “My sister Susan’s truffle recipe is indispensable this time of year. The chocolate treats have a rich, smooth texture, they keep well, and they’re perfect with a glass of Champagne.”
Flavor the chocolate mixture [...]

Makes 24.

INGREDIENTS
10ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped24fresh lemon or camellia leaves (or other nonpoisonous leaves),wiped clean with damp cloth
DIRECTIONS
Line baking sheet with foil. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and [...]