However delicious the preceding courses, a meal is never truly memorable unless it finishes with a spectacular dessert. Whether it's a mile-high meringue, a creamy cheesecake, a rich chocolate mousse swirled with cream and nuts, or just a simple bowl of ice cream, few of us can resist a gorgeous dessert before we leave the table. An introductory chapter covers all the techniques you need to produce the desserts of your dreams, and the recipe chapters that follow include everything from the most decadent creations to the more everyday delights of cookies and brownies.