Edited version of a story first published Dec. 15, 2009: This old-fashioned charmer is from Heirloom Cooking with the Brass Sisters by Marilynn Brass & Sheila Brass (Black Dog & Leventhal, $29.95).

British holiday traditions are the inspiration for this moist, dense steamed cake packed with brandy-soaked currants, raisins, and figs. This plum pudding recipe is a take on a classic: Steamed cakes ...

settles in, you want to hold a cup of hot chocolate and bid the icy cold sorbets a goodbye. And even if you can’t seem to put the tub of ice cream away, you would agree that pairing it with a warm ...