Coffee

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 10 hr (includes soaking raisins)

"On our honeymoon in Hawaii, my husband and I enjoyed dinner at Princeville Resort's La Cascata restaurant on Kauai's north shore," writes Jamie Smietan of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. "I tried the crème brûlée which had a rich coffee flavor. A copy of the recipe would be the perfect souvenir." Begin preparing this a day before you plan to serve it. The sugar is caramelized quickly under the broiler, but a small blowtorch (made for the kitchen) would work well, too.

Layers of espresso-soaked pound cake and cream cheese custard come together with chocolate. Tiramisù means "pick-me-up" in Italian-and this certainly does.

Taking a cue from the classic drink, this dessert has a rich and creamy coffee flavor. It looks pretty spooned into glass coffee cups or mugs and topped with a few coffee beans (real or chocolate).

The old-fashioned cookies are cake-like and have a nice chocolate icing.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr

There's just a hint of chocolate in these.

White chocolate custard tops espresso custard in this luxurious make-ahead dessert. It's pretty garnished with fresh strawberries and coffee beans.

Delicate cookies and purchased ice cream produce a grown-up version of a playground favorite.

Mocha custards are the "coffee" part of this whimsical "coffee and doughnuts" dessert.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 45 min

Great to give as gifts in pretty boxes or tins or to have on hand for unexpected company.