These wonderfully simple sugar cookies become Chanukah cookies by virtue of their shape and decoration. Choose dreidel, menorah, and Jewish star cookie cutters, available in many kitchen and Judaica stores. Decorate the cookies before baking with colored sugars or after baking with prepared or homemade icing. Make this a family project - children love rolling the dough, cutting out the shapes, and decorating the cookies. Everyone loves eating them!

Food Editor's note: This kugel is very easy to make and perfect for a Yom Kippur break the fast, a Sunday brunch, or any dairy meal. The body of the kugel is rich but not too sweet; the top is sweet and golden with a touch of crunch to it. It tastes best when just baked, but may be made in advance and reheated. It also freezes well. Leftover kugel, reheated in the microwave, is one of my favorite breakfasts -- cheesy, sweet, fast, and very satisfying!

The concept of a lemon cheesecake was one that came to me recently. I had always added an accent of lemon to my cheesecakes, but this version screams out lemon and it is heavenly in flavor. Feel no guilt about buying a good lemon curd at the market or at your favorite specialty store if you don’t have time to make your own - I have tried it both ways and was equally happy with each version. For best results, I suggest baking the cheesecake the day before serving; for some reason the texture seems to settle overnight and become even more creamy!

Food Editor’s Note: I helped Judy test out this recipe to get the best proportions of all the ingredients. I made the cheesecake twice and, believe me, it was well worth it. Everyone on our staff adored it! The lemon taste is pronounced and tart, just the way we like it, but the texture is pure, creamy cheesecake. What a wonderful combination!

Food Editor's Note:  These are rich, crunchy, and delicious!  They are perfect for holiday gatherings or a hostess gift.  I used dark brown sugar, butter, and packaged toffee bits, but variations are just as good.  Thank you, Carol, for another great recipe!

Food Editor's Note:  Our good friend Adele Bacow gave us this cookbook, raving about the quality and ease of its recipes.  This first recipe that we tried, a cheesecake for Shavuot, lived up to our high expectations.  This cheesecake has plain, coffee, and chocolate layers, and looks and tastes like a dream.  It will be a spectacular dessert for any special occasion!