Desserts have always been a fixture at the American table, inspiring pleasant lingering over a cup of coffee and just one more scrumptious bite. From colonial specialties to old-time country favorites, this book presents a complete collection of more than two hundred mouthwatering delights.Cooking expert Beatrice Ojakangas has researched original sources from across the country to recapture the delicious tastes of Lemon Icebox Cake, Applesauce Crisp, and Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie. Along with each recipe, Ojakangas shares fascinating stories and little-known facts about the history of the dessert. The recipes have been tested and updated for easy preparation with today's ingredients and techniques, and this book also offers practical advice on buying fresh fruits and cooking pudding. From Yankee Apple Snow to Creole Sweet Potato Pie, Great Old-Fashioned American Desserts provides an enticing tour of the desserts of America's rich food heritage.Beatrice Ojakangas is the author of more than twenty cookbooks, including The Great Scandinavian Baking Book (1999), The Great Holiday Baking Book (2001), Scandinavian Cooking (2003), Quick Breads (2003), Pot Pies (2003), and Scandinavian Cooking (2003)-all available in paperback from the University of Minnesota Press.