Adapted from Seasonal Fruit Desserts by Deborah Madison, this Austere Berry Tart was inspired by Lindsey Shere, Madison's pastry mentor. Shere taught Madison about minimalism when it comes to desserts, and this theme runs throughout Seasonal Fruit Desserts. In this recipe, there's no need for a glaze or pastry cream, just perfectly sweet berries in a crisp buttery crust. More

Flip it onto a plate and remove the parchment to reveal the beautifully fruit-studded surface. The blackberries I used gave this cake an almost stained glass appearance, with the juices staining the cake purple-black to a light lavender color, it was gorgeous. Oh, and it tasted pretty incredible, too. Just sweet enough to be a perfect candidate for some à la mode action. More

Note: This recipe is part of Kerry Saretsky's series The Secret Ingredient. This month's featured ingredient is rose water. Kerry also gives recipes that use rose water for Melon and Mozzarella Salad with Rose Water Vinaigrette and Crisp Prosciutto and... More

This renovation of the classic black currant French Champagne cocktail is triple-spiked: Champagne, crème de mure (a blackberry liqueur), and berry vodka are tempered with a purée of fresh blackberries. As you drink, the buoyant blackberry descends lower into your flute; how apropos. More