Good Dessert For An Open House?

[heavy hedonist]

i was planning on making a spectacular cheesecake, when i realized it has to sit out and be picked at and probably slaughtered for 6 hours. the jeweled beauty of a dessert would not like that-- it's more of a sit-down dessert. So, what can i make besides brownies that can sit nicely without suffering, snd won't be too costly or require high deftness to create? all ideas welcome. i have kind of gimpy hands and a strained budget right now, just to take that into consideration. especially good if it's NOT chocolate, as the hostess detests that i know, my own sister, a freak! but i hear Johnny Depp doesn't like it either, and he's made tow movies that revolve around it.

Thanks, mari

[Cookin4Love]

What about some really pretty sugar cookies? You don't have to do anything intricate--just glamorous. I loved the look of sugar cookie snowflakes, covered in royal icing, crystal sugar, and edible glitter, which made nice dessert at my party last weekend.

Some other ideas:

Italian cream cake
Pecan pie bars
Pumpkin bread cookied in tiny loaf pans, spread with cream cheese blended with maple syrup

I know there are more, but I'm brain dead right now.

[applecrisp]

Perhaps a lemon cake. I know Ina Garten has one (can't recall which book) that is supposed to be great. I made one from an old Maidda Heatter cookbook but I can't find the recipe in my computer.

[cumulus]

Decorated cupcakes may not be a bad idea either- the BC coconut cupcakes would be delicious and festive, and hold up well sitting out.

I'd probably stay away from cookies, as people may be a bit "cookie-d out" this time of year, but that's just me

[southjerseymom]

I make these every year and get rave reviews. They're basically like a shortbread with raspberry filling and crumb topping. You can substitute any flavor for the raspberry, if you like.

Old-World Raspberry Bars

Crumb Mixture:

2 1/4 c flour
1 c unsalted butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1c chopped pecans or walnuts ( I make w/o sometimes and it's good)

Filling:

1 jar raspberry preserves ( 10 oz jar)

In lg mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except preserves. Beat at a low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is crumbly ( 2-3 min). Reserve 1 1/2 c crumb mixture, set aside. Press remaining crumb mixture on bottom of 9 x 13 baking pan (greased). Spread preserves to w/in 1/2 inch of edge of pan. Crumble remaining mixture on top. Bake 45-50 min at 350 until lightly brown. Cool completely and cut into bars.

[celestialchef]

I haven't made these before but they sound divine and you could leave them setting out. Plus people wouldn't need a fork and plate to eat them.

Pecan Toffee Tassies
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 (10-ounce) package almond brickle chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Unroll the piecrusts onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into 2 (15-inch) circles. Cut out 48 circles using a 1 3/4-inch fluted or round cookie cutter, re-rolling dough as needed. Place in 1 3/4-inch muffin pans, pressing on the bottoms and up the sides of each of the mini-muffin cups. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and eggs in a large bowl, mixing well. Add the vanilla. Stir in the pecans and brickle chips. Spoon the pecan filling evenly into the pie shells. Bake for 25 minutes, or until filling is set and crust is lightly browned. Cool in pans on wire racks.

[jessicacoy]

Perhaps a lemon cake. I know Ina Garten has one (can't recall which book) that is supposed to be great. I made one from an old Maidda Heatter cookbook but I can't find the recipe in my computer.

Here is the BFC Lemon cake recipe (It is from Parties!) and it is really yummy!!!!



Lemon Cake Copyright, 2001, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, All rights reserved

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.
Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the lemon zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

[Robyn1007]

Don't ask me why but Gingerbread People are screaming out at me and I think they'd be fun. Joe posted a recipe on his blog recently.

[heavy hedonist]

Thanks for all your ideas-- i appreciate the timely responses, and i'm considering it all. I may do gingerbread and lemon cake, both. maybe make one of them as cupcakes. anything i can make that doesn't call for rolling out or making another trip to the store gets double votes. let you know how it goes! i still haven't decided yet, though at least i've got tonight's casual company dessert down-- apple pie ala mode.