This cheery cookbook is the brainchild of the Red Hat Society, a nationwide organization of women who like to wear silly hats, enjoy each other's company, and eat dessert first.

"Life is short; eat dessert first," says Sue Ellen Cooper, Exalted Queen Mother of the Red Hat Society, which is the most fun phenomenon to happen to women over 50 in this century. This cookbook has more than 250 desserts at the beginning of a collection of more than 1,000 recipes.

Red Hat editors selected the best recipes, stories, and photographs submitted by members from all over the world.

In The Red Hat Society Cookbook, you’ll find recipes including:

• Cantaloupe Chiffon Pie
• Ice Cream Crunch Torte
• Cookie Dough Cream Cheese Puffs
• Strawberry Yaya Cake
• Popcorn Candy Cake

Their compilation has the feel of an enormous community cookbook, with the same lack of focus, mixed bag of recipes, and overriding spirit of goodwill.