Is pudding more important than politics? As war rages and natural disasters abound, people are turning to comforting cake and chocolate. Some worry we are burying our heads in the soufflé.
Sweet treats roar back in grim world

Glossary
Gateau - A rich cake containing layers of cream or fruit.
Morsels - A small piece or mouthful of food.
Uptick - An increase or rise.
Kaffee - Coffee in German.
Kuchen - German for cake.
Baklava - A rich Greek and Middle Eastern dessert made of thin, flaky layers of pastry filled with chopped nuts, butter, and cinnamon and soaked in a honey or sugar syrup.
Lokum - A fragrant jelly candy recipe native to Turkey, otherwise known as Turkish Delight.
Ravaged - Severely damaged; devastated.