Award-winning pastry chef Karen Barker draws on memories of her Brooklyn, New York childhood and years of professional baking experience to present a collection of more than 160 recipes for classic American desserts for the home cook, from fruit pies and fritters to cookies and ice creams. Includes Barker•s signature (and favorite) recipes: My Cousin Steve•s Cheesecake, Cocoa Fudge Sauce, Blueberry-Blackberry Pie, Cornmeal Vanilla Bean Shortbreads, Blackout Cake, Key Lime Coconut Pie with Rum Cream, and Chocolate Chestnut Roll. Color photos.