Dark Tort

1? cups all-purpose flour? cup sugar9 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1-tablespoon pieces

In a large bowl (or in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade), whisk together the flour and sugar for 10 seconds. Drop the pieces of butter on top of the flour mixture and cut in with two sharp knives (or pulse in the food processor) just until the mixture resembles large crumbs. Do not overblend.Place the apple mixture in the cooked crust. Evenly spread the topping over the apples, and be sure to put the pie onto the rimmed cookie sheet before it bakes.Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is browned and the apples are cooked. Place the pie on a cooling rack for at least 2 hours so the pie can “set up.” Serve with best-quality vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

MAKES 8 LARGE SERVINGS

Strong-Arm Cookies

12 tablespoons (1? sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature? cup solid vegetable shortening2 cups dark brown sugar, firmly packed2 large eggs? cup buttermilk3? cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon salt2 cups pecan halves, toasted and cooled2 cups dried cherries2 cups extra-large chocolate chips (“chocolate chunks”)

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and shortening on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until the sugar is thoroughly creamed into the butter mixture, about 5 minutes. Thoroughly beat in the eggs, then stir in the buttermilk. Set aside.Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently stir into the butter mixture until you can see no more flour. Stir in the nuts, cherries, and chips. Chill the batter, tightly covered with plastic wrap, for at least an hour and up to overnight.Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone nonstick sheet (Silpat).Using a ?-tablespoon scoop, measure out a dozen evenly spaced cookies. Using the heel of your hand, gently push on each cookie to flatten slightly. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, or until you can touch them lightly and leave almost no imprint.Allow the cookies to cool one minute on the cookie sheets before using a metal spatula to remove them to racks to cool completely.Store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container.

MAKES 8 DOZEN COOKIES

Chocolate Lovers’ Dipped Fruits

8 ounces chopped best-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened; recommended brand: Godiva Dark)1 tablespoon unsalted butter11–12 ounces of dried fruit (apricots, peaches, pears, etc.)

In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring frequently. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. When the chocolate and butter are thoroughly melted and blended, turn down the heat under the double boiler. Holding a piece of fruit between your thumb and forefinger, gently dip one end into the hot chocolate. Immediately raise the fruit, shake it gently to loosen any stray drops, then place it on the waxed paper to cool completely. Repeat with the rest of the fruit.

Note: In summer, dip large, long-stemmed fresh strawberries. At holiday time, dip glace apricots for a very special gift.

Blue Cheesecake

1 tablespoon unsalted butter1 shallot, finely chopped (about ? cup)24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature6 large eggs, at room temperature6 ounces blue cheese (preferably Danish), crumbled and chopped? cup whipping cream1 small scallion, finely chopped (about 1? tablespoons)

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan. Place an 11-by 16-inch disposable aluminum roasting pan onto a rimmed cookie sheet.Melt the butter over low heat and cook the shallot, stirring occasionally, until it is limp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until it is very smooth. Add the eggs and beat until they are well blended into the cream cheese, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the blue cheese and cream, and beat over low speed until the mixture is well blended (it will be lumpy).Using a large wooden spoon, force the mixture through a wire strainer to remove the lumps. (This takes a strong arm and some time, usually about 7 to 10 minutes.) Blend the shallot and scallion into the smooth mixture.Pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan. Place the springform pan inside the roasting pan, and carefully fill the roasting pan with very hot water until the water comes halfway up the outside of the springform pan. Gripping the sides of the cookie sheet, carefully place the roasting pan with the springform pan inside it into the oven. Immediately close the oven door.Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the cheesecake has puffed, the top is golden brown, and the center is set. Remove from the oven and set the springform pan on a cooling rack. Run a knife around the inside rim of the springform pan’s collar to loosen any of the cheesecake that may have stuck. Carefully remove the collar.Cool for about 10 minutes, if you are serving the cheesecake hot. (It will sink slightly as it cools.) The cheesecake may also be served at room temperature or chilled. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

MAKES 8 LARGE SERVINGS

Note: This is a savory dish appropriate for brunch or lunch. It is wonderful served with a tossed salad of either greens or fruit, along with French bread. Also, in case children protest about the idea of a “blue cheesecake,” you can assure them that the finished cake is not even remotely blue in color.

Journey Cake

with Hard Sauce

12 tablespoons (1? sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature1? cups sugar4 cups all-purpose flour (high altitude: add ? cup flour)1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon cloves1? cups apple cider

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-by 13-inch pan.In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until well combined. Set aside.Sift together the flour, soda, and spices. Using a large wooden spoon, add the dry ingredients alternately with the cider, stirring well after each addition, and beginning and ending with dry ingredients.Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.Serve with Hard Sauce (recipe follows).

MAKES 12 SERVINGS

Hard Sauce

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter1 pound sifted confectioners’ sugar1 to 2 tablespoons rum

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until it is very fluffy, at least 7 minutes. Gradually add half the confectioners’ sugar, beating well after each addition. Beat in the rum, then beat in