Homemade cakes cookies candies pies crisps cobblers crumbles and ice creamampampmdashyear roundampamp160Since the very first taste of maple syrup New Englanders have pined for something sweet. The regionampamprsquos native plants corn squash pumpkins orchard fruits fresh dairy products even the early ice industry have all been used over the past four centuries to create culinary inspirations for our developing nation.ampamp160 ampamp160 From the mountains of Maine to the farms of Vermont to the beachside villages of Cape Cod New England has earned a reputation for fantastic desserts. What started out as necessary highcalorie sustenance has become an exercise in pleasure and a celebration of the seasons.ampamp160 ampamp160 Indeed itampamprsquos not officially summer in New England until shortcake is soaked in sweet strawberries and cream.