Chef's Choice: Fruit desserts make a firework finish for holiday meals

With so many fruits in peak season by July 4th, summery desserts almost make themselves.

Fruits are always a treat when eaten unadorned and out of hand, but they're also the perfect starting place for an impressive variety of pies, cakes, bars, tarts and crumbles.

"This is not the time to be mucking about with complicated recipes," says cookbook author Barbara Kafka. "I just want it simple so I can taste the fruit when it's at its best."

For the Fourth, Kafka likes a classic strawberry shortcake. She makes it special by layering classic shortcake biscuits with sponge cake, then whipped cream...