ISO: Dessert Suggesstions

[Chelle D]

I just received a call from a friend who would like me to make a dinner for 12 tonight for family members coming together after a member passed away. He wants "normal" as these are older, Dutch, meat-and potato, people. I am planning on a roast (beef or pork loin, depending on selection at the store), garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed green beans. I need a dessert that is appropriate, travels well, and that I can put on a disposable plate, pan, etc.

I was thinking cookies are too informal, but I don't want anything too fancy or that needs to be refridgerated. A bundt cake maybe? I don't know. I am so used to freshness these days and this kind of meal in the summer is throwing me off.

Help! TIA!

[beejayw1]

I'm so sorry to hear of the reason for the meal; I hope it goes well. Good food is comforting.

Since you are making a big dinner, why don't you give yourself a break and make a cake and fruit topping dessert.

You can 'cheat' on the cake: get pound cake from your local bakery. Slice it and toast it, if you like, or just serve it room temperature.

Then make a fruit topping. Take some cans of tart, pitted cherries and drain them, reserving the juice. Add sugar (powdered, I think) and a touch of cinnamon to the juice, bring it to a boil, and then add some cornstarch to thicken it. Once it is thicker, add the cherries and stir until they are heated through. This can be used room temperature, too. Ladle the cherry topping over the cake.

You can also do strawberry shortcake with store-bought biscuits or those sponge cake shortcakes. Use strawberries frozen with juice and sugar, thaw, and ladle over shortcake.

[sneezles]

I think a Bundt cake would be fine or maybe some brownies or lemon squares or those Hello Dolly! bars.

[Robyn1007]

Chelle, I'm assuming this person called you because of your personal chef business so I'm thinking you probably don't want to cheat with store bought cakes on this one, am I correct? (Not that cheating is a bad thing ;) )

I think doing a stepped up brownie is a good idea, they'll keep well and can be tweaked easily. My aunt does brownies then puts a layer of andes mints on the top right out of the oven so they gelt melty and creamy. I also like the lemon bar idea. The bundt cake isn't a bad idea either but I'm just thinking the brownies are easier to pick up as a person wants it rather than having to slice and serve.

[valchemist]

I'd do a Texas Sheet Cake but the other ideas sound fine too!

[dreamer101]

One recipe that is easy to transport in one container is Monkey Bread. It's also easy to pull off as many pieces as needed without having to cut it up.

Monkey Bread from Cooking Light (http://food.cookinglight.com/cooking/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223152)

[beejayw1]

Chelle, I'm assuming this person called you because of your personal chef business so I'm thinking you probably don't want to cheat with store bought cakes on this one, am I correct? (Not that cheating is a bad thing ;) )

Oh, is she a personal chef? Amazing what one misses when one's been absent for 2 1/2 years.

Scrap the suggestion.

[Middydd]

I was thinking along the same requirements for a barbecue on Saturday. I've decided on either brownies or chocolate mini bundt cakes, probably made from the Black Magic Cake recipe from the Hersheys site.

http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=4754&page=1&per=1&keyword=black%20magic%20cake

The other choice I decided on is Raspberry Bars from Cook's Illustrated.

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/article.asp?articleid=812&bdc=9744

[sneezles]

Amazing what one misses when one's been absent for 2 1/2 years.


You don't have to be gone for 2 1/2 years to miss stuff like that! I'm here most every day and I didn't remember...course I do have CRS! :p ;)

[Robyn1007]

Oh, is she a personal chef? Amazing what one misses when one's been absent for 2 1/2 years.

Scrap the suggestion.

I hope you don't think I was being critical ('cause I've been known to cheat when I need to) I just remembered the business because I want to start one too! Those are suggestions that I would use for much of my family and friends if I were asked to throw something together last minute. :)

[valchemist]

You don't have to be gone for 2 1/2 years to miss stuff like that! I'm here most every day and I didn't remember...course I do have CRS! :p ;)

I didn't know it and I am even on the baby threads with her!

I just don't really keep up with things as much as I used to, I guess.

btw, welcome back diana!!

[veschke]

I don't do a lot of this kind of baking, but how about a crisp or something like that? Or a coffeecake? Should hold up fairly well and not be too complicated or fancy for the rest of the menu.

[Robyn1007]

Okay, so you guys got me concerned thinking maybe I was nuts in remembering that Chelle has a personal chef business. I did some searching and found that she was in the process of exploring (hadn't actually set it up) in this thread (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=88499&highlight=personal+chef) so I wasn't completely correct. Anyway, it looks like she's gotten some good ideas here... :)

[beejayw1]

I hope you don't think I was being critical ('cause I've been known to cheat when I need to):)

Not in the least! ;)

[sneezles]

Okay, so you guys got me concerned thinking maybe I was nuts

Well not that I'd say it outloud! :p ;)

[Robyn1007]

Well not that I'd say it outloud! :p ;)

hehe! :D

Okay, slight hijack here, Sneezles, when does the restaurant open?

[sneezles]

Okay, slight hijack here, Sneezles, when does the restaurant open?

Remember Pandora's Box? Well think of it as being neglected 100+ years!! One side of the building had to be leveled, no big deal until they removed the floor, the only thing holding up the wall on that side was the roof that it was attached to, :eek: so that is being fixed along with the 4 other spots.

One discovery leads to 3 others so I'm pretty sure it won't be before September though Joe is still pushin'/hopin' for the first of August...not gonna happen!

[Ohioan]

I don't suppose cut-up fresh fruit would be fancy enough? Not even with chopped walnuts and/or filberts mixed in? And/or chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles?

Cheers,
Phoebe