For the cake: 6 unsprayed rose geranium leaves, rinsed and dried 1 pound unsalted butter, softened 2 cups superfine sugar 6 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups cake flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup buttermilk.

Graham Crackers Total time: 1 hour 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (graham flour) 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of salt 4 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature 3 tablespoons light-brown sugar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Carambola Muffins Total time: 45 minutes 1 tablespoon butter at room temperature, plus butter for the muffin tins 1 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1 cup flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons boiling water 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 or 3 carambolas, to make 1 1/2 cups when chopped.

Wendy Gaynor's 'Perfect' Chocolate Chunk Cookies 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 cups semisweet chunks (preferably imported).

Toasted Almond Biscotti Total time: 1 hour 1 cup whole blanched almonds 2 3/4cups flour, plus flour for work surface Pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 4 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon almond extract.

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti Total time: 1 hour 1 cup whole hazelnuts, preferably blanched 2 1/2 cups flour, plus flour for work surface 1/2 cup Dutch-style cocoa powder 1 tablespoon espresso powder Pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 4 large eggs 1 1/3 cups sugar.

Chocolate-Chip Cookies 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 8 ounces semisweet chocolate (Valrhona is best), coarsely chopped.

Rosemary Pine-Nut Biscotti Total time: 1 hour 1 cup pine nuts 2 3/4 cups flour, plus flour for work surface Pinch of salt 1/2teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 4 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped 1 teaspoon lemon zest.

BOLUISCE BROWN BREAD 1 1/2 cups coarse wheat bran 22/3 cups stone-ground whole-wheat flour 1 cup yogurt (Brown Cow or other good brand) 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon sugar (optional) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup milk.

The $250 Cookie Recipe Total time: 45 minutes 1 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/2 cups oatmeal 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 12 ounces chocolate chips 1 4-ounce Hershey bar 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts.