Frozen Dessert

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of this tower of ice cream. It makes a spectacular-yet easy-dessert for summer birthday celebration.

Well, almost no bake, because the graham cracker crust you buy for this might need to be prebaked. Here again is a pie the kids can make — and I've gone out of my way to keep it as simple as possible, so they can proceed without Mom or Dad needing to hover too much.

Chef Tory McPhail writes: "I was 19 years old and just out of culinary school when I first started at Commander's Palace. Despite my training, nothing prepared me for the pressures of working in a fast-paced kitchen, or in a restaurant of such high quality. I think my success came down to sheer effort and a lifelong passion for cooking. Even as a kid I loved playing with cookie and pie dough. "After a seven-year absence, which I spent working abroad and opening a new Commander's Palace restaurant in Las Vegas, I came back to New Orleans last year. Since returning I've enjoyed cooking for my friends. On the weekends we'll go fishing, and then I'll grill our catch and serve it along with a fresh salad. That meal combines the two best things about living in the South — lots of fishing and great fresh produce."

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 5 hr If you decide to use fresh pumpkin purée for this cake, be sure you drain it for the full eight hours we recommend in the procedure.

A decadent, impressive dessert that appeals to everyone's inner Boy Scout or Girl Scout. Begin preparing this a day ahead.

In Italy, coffee granita is served in tall glasses filled halfway with granita and topped with whipped cream. We've added some white chocolate and anise-flavored liqueur.

Active time: 5 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr (includes freezing)

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 4 hr

It is essential to slice the brownie in half through the middle lengthwise; otherwise, the cake slices will be too thick.

A favorite test-kitchen Muscat wine is Bonny Doon's Muscat Vin de Glacière from California.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Flourless Chocolate-Orange Almond Cake .