Legless: Desserts to Get You in the Spirit

Bridging the gap between after-dinner drinks and dessert, Banning's collection of hooch-related meal-cappers is hit or miss. Grouped by theme (""cakes, tarts, puddings,"" ""dessert shots,"" ""coffee treats""), offerings incorporate many of the usual suspects (Bailey's Irish Cream, Kahlua, Cointreau, Frangelico) for dishes like Honeycomb Cheesecake, Piña Colada sorbet, Scottish Mousse Shots, and other pleasing treats. Though nothing here should surprise veteran bakers, novices will appreciate the ease of recipes for fancy-looking trifles and marinated fruit (though they may run into trouble locating a medical syringe to infuse strawberries with Baileys or Cointreau). All skill levels are covered, from simple infused fruits to a multilayered Chocolate Gateau laced with Tia Maria, though an entire chapter on ""jelly"" (read Jell-o) shots seems unnecessary. Casual cooks with a sweet tooth and a strong liver should find some new favorites here, but those serious about their desserts will be better served elsewhere.