Makes 16 - 2 inch squares.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter (or use a non stick cooking spray) an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) pan.

Shortbread Base: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt and beat until the dough just comes together. Press onto the bottom of your greased pan and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until pale golden in color. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling.

Filling: In your food processor or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Then beat in the corn syrup and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour, salt, and baking powder.

Sprinkle the raisins or nuts evenly over the baked shortbread base. Then pour the filling over the raisins (and/or nuts) and bake for about 20 - 25 minutes or until the filling is set. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Tart Recipe

Prepare a 8 - 9 inch (20 - 23 cm) tart pan with removable bottom by lightly spraying with Pam or greasing with butter. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.

Place the tart pan on a larger baking pan (makes it easier to remove from oven) and bake until crust is golden brown, about 13 - 15 minutes. Place tart pan on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees (177 degrees C) and have oven rack in the center of the oven.

Place the tart pan on a larger baking pan. Carefully pour the filling into the pre-baked tart shell. Arrange the raspberries evenly around the tart shell and bake the tart for about 35 minutes or until the filling is set (test by gently shaking the pan). Transfer tart to wire rack to cool. Lightly sprinkle the top of the tart with confectioners sugar and cover the edges of the tart shell with aluminum foil (this prevents the edges from burning). Place under the broiler until the top of the tart caramelizes (turns a golden brown color). Watch carefully.

Serve cold or at room temperature accompanied by softly whipped cream and fresh raspberries.

Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes one - 8-9 inch (20 - 23 cm) tart.

Here is a nice touch. How about adding a Cran-Raspberry Sauce?

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and butter, or spray with non stick cooking spray, a 9 inch (23 cm) spring form pan. Wrap the outside of the pan with two layers of heavy aluminum foil.

For Crust: In a medium sized bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom of the spring form pan. Cover and refrigerate while you make the filling.

For Filling: In the bowl of your food processor or electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), place the cream cheese and beat until smooth and free of lumps. Add the ricotta and sugar and beat until smooth (about 2 - 3 minutes), scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the cornstarch. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating about 30 seconds after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt and beat until incorporated.

Remove the crust from the refrigerator and pour in the filling. Place the spring form pan in a large roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of your spring form pan.

Bake for about one hour to one hour 15 minutes, or until the top of the cheesecake has nicely browned and the center of the cake moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken. Remove the pan from the water bath and cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate until the cheesecake is cold, about 6 - 8 hours or overnight. Serve in small slices with a spoonful of Cran-Raspberry Sauce (if desired).

Cran-Raspberry Sauce: In a large saucepan combine all the ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and is bubbly. Remove from heat and let cool. (Note: taste and add more sugar as needed.) Cover and store in the refrigerator.

Note: I use Cream of tartar when whipping egg whites to stabilize them, and to prevent over beating and the whites from drying out.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Grease and flour two - 8 inch (20 cm) round cake pans. Alternatively spray pan with Baker's Joy. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper and grease and flour parchment paper. Set aside.

White Butter Cake: While the eggs are still cold separate the eggs, placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another bowl. Cover the two bowls with plastic wrap and allow the eggs to come to room temperature before using (about 30 minutes).

In a separate mixing bowl sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In bowl of electric mixer, beat the butter until soft (about 1-2 minutes). Add 3/4 cup (150 grams) of the sugar and beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour.

In a clean bowl of your electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup (50 grams) of sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. With a rubber spatula gently fold a little of the whites into the batter to lighten it, and then fold in the remaining whites until combined. Do not over mix the batter or it will deflate.

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake in the cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the zest and vanilla extract and beat on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Assemble: Place one of the cake layers, top of the cake facing down, onto your serving platter. Spread the cake layer with about 1/4 cup of strawberry sauce or your favorite jam. Next, spread about 3/4 cup of the frosting on top of the sauce or jam. Place the next cake layer, top of the cake facing down, onto the filling. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Just before serving garnish the top of the cake with fresh berries.

Makes one - 8 inch (20 cm) two layer cake. preheated oven for approximately 20 - 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Place a wire rack on top of the cake pan and invert, lifting off the pan. Once the cakes have completely cooled, wrap in plastic and place the cake layers in the freezer for at least an hour. (This is done to make filling and frosting the cakes easier.)

Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream the butter and cream cheese together until nice and smooth with no lumps. Add the confectioners' sugar, one