2 trusted dessert recipes

Inviting last-minute guests over? Show off your baking chops with these deliciously reliable desserts.

Legend has it that this resplendent sweet was concocted in honour of the celebrated ballerina Anna Pavlova. You can honour your own heroine or hero with this heart-shaped delicacy.

What you need:

Meringue Shells Filling:

• 500 g (2 c) whipping cream
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) sugar
• 1 kg (4 c) fresh strawberries, trimmed and slicedWhat to do:

  1. Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F). Line a 33 centimetre (14 inch) pizza pan with parchment paper. Spoon the meringue onto the prepared pan, forming a 30 centimetre (12 inch) heart shape with slightly built-up edges. Bake the meringue shell for one hour; turn off the oven but do not open the oven door. Let the meringue shell stand in the warm oven for one hour longer. Remove the meringue shell to a wire rack to cool.

  2. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl with an electric mixer on moderately high, beat the whipping cream until it forms soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar, beating constantly, until stiff peaks form.

  3. Spoon the whipped cream into the meringue shell, mounding it decoratively. Arrange the strawberry slices on top of the whipped cream and serve immediately.

  Makes 12 servings.

This North American classic has been loved for generations and has never really been improved upon. Homemade are just better and less expensive.

What you need:

• 250 g (1 c) butter or margarine, softened
• 175 g (3/4 c) sugar
• 175 g (3/4 c) firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 675 g (2 1/4 c) all-purpose flour
• 5 ml (1 tsp) salt
• 5 ml (1 tsp) baking soda
• 250 g (1 c) semisweet chocolate chips
• 250 g (1 c) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)What to do:

  1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F); lightly grease two or more baking sheets. In a medium bowl, combine the butter and sugars; beat until the mixture is well creamed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and stir until all the ingredients are well blended.

  2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, stirring until all the ingredients are well blended. Add the chocolate chips and, if desired, the nuts and stir until they are evenly distributed.

  3. Using a tablespoon, drop the cookie dough onto the prepared sheets, spacing the cookies about five centimetres (two inches) apart. Bake until the cookies are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.

  Makes about 3 1/2 dozen.

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