As comforting and appealing as a favorite armchair or a cozy robe, warmfrom- the-oven classic desserts make everyone feel good. Here are more than 250 mouthwatering recipes that every home baker willrely on when a homemade dessert is required.Whatever the occasion might be, the perfecttreat is described with clear instructions thatare easy to follow and guaranteed to yield deliciousresults.These are the cakes that children request fortheir birthdays, the whoopee pies and blondiesthat are the fi rst things to go at bake sales, theshortcake that celebrates strawberry season, andthe pies and cobblers that accompany the appleharvest. When a friend who is sick with the fluneeds cheering, a dense, not-too-sweet gingerbreadlifts the spirits. Rough week at work?Creamy, raisiny rice pudding soothes janglednerves. And when a child is going through anI-hate-cake phase, surprise her with a frozenchocolate mint ice cream cake.With 40 cookie creations, 42 pretty pies,36 fruity crisps and cobblers, and puddings,meringues, squares, slumps, bombs, and bucklesgalore, the possibilities for sweet satisfactionare endless. Bakers will also find just-rightrecipes for the crusts, frostings, toppings, andaccompaniments that add so much to dessertclassics. Little-known food anecdotes and historicaltidbits drawn from three centuries of cookery books round out this addictive dessert collection. It's just the thing for every baker.