Blueberry

These fruit-rich, nutty muffins were a highlight on a summer-beach-weekend menu. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The almond-scented blueberry filling is sprinkled with a pecan topping.

If you happen to find a brioche loaf, it also would make terrific French toast. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 30 min

The mixture of fruit in this dessert, a long-standing menu item at The Marx Bros. Cafe in Anchorage, might include anything from wild Alaskan blueberries to apples, depending on the time of year.

Berries are in top form here; the filling is a cool, tangy crème fraîche sorbet rather than the usual whipped cream.

Assemble this modern take on a classic English dessert the day before to allow the juices to be absorbed. Look for the soft ladyfingers in the cookie or specialty foods aisle of the supermarket.

This refreshing and truly sparkling dessert adds glamour to any summer dinner. If you can't find Prosecco, use any fruity sparkling wine, such as Asti Spumante.

These colorful treats are like chilled fruity bread puddings. Start making them at least one day and up to two days before serving.

When cleaning any fresh berries, place in a strainer, rinse very lightly with the sink spray hose, shake the strainer to drain water and gently pat dry with paper towels.

Serve this slightly warm or at room temperature. Either way, it's fantastic with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

A quick almond crust gets filled with ice cream and topped with cardamom-scented whipped cream and berries.

This no-oven-needed crisp can be made with almost any fresh berry (we’d avoid raspberries) and comes together within 45 minutes.

The best fruit pie, complete with a brown sugar streusel topping.