Believe it or not, delectable desserts can be made with just three ingredients (and no, one of them is not cake mix). Desserts 1-2-3 joins the ranks of Rozanne Gold"s wildly successful 1-2-3 series (Recipes 1-2-3, Entertaining 1-2-3, and Healthy 1-2-3), proving that limiting ingredients does not translate to limitations on creativity or flavor. While Gold does "cheat" a bit by using a few prepared ingredients such as puff pastry, chocolate wafers, and even Nestlé Crunch bars, the results are so impressive that anyone--even a professional chef--would undoubtedly be proud to serve them. The seeming simplicity of these dishes is disarmingly charming, yet the results are, in many cases, extremely sophisticated. Strawberry-Lemongrass Consommé with Cut Berries, for instance, could hardly be called mundane and yet it is made from nothing more than lemongrass stalks, strawberries, and sugar. Likewise, Maple Chiffon--an ethereal, mousse-like custard--impresses with eggs, maple syrup, and cream. Other dishes, like Pecan Fudge Terrine or Ice Cream Profiteroles with Mint Chocolate Sauce, elevate comfort food to a genteel experience. Gold displays an especially impressive knack for combining the three ingredients in different ways for playful visual and taste combinations: Cinnamon Ice Cream with Cinnamon Brittle, Warm Chocolate Soufflé with Bittersweet Chocolate Sorbet, or Blueberry Coeur a la Crème with Honeyed Blueberries. Inspired, elegant dessert recipes using just three ingredients each--what"s not to like? --Robin Donovan