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I have to make dessert for 20 and I dont bake -- HELP

I have to make dessert for 20 and I dont bake -- HELP
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  • I have to make dessert for 20 and I dont bake -- HELP

    Post #1 - April 24th, 2018, 10:57 am
    Post #1 - April 24th, 2018, 10:57 am Post #1 - April 24th, 2018, 10:57 am
    I have been tasked with bringing dessert for 20 this Sunday and I am most definitely not a baker. I would love ideas for easy fabulous desserts for a crowd. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
  • Post #2 - April 24th, 2018, 11:09 am
    Post #2 - April 24th, 2018, 11:09 am Post #2 - April 24th, 2018, 11:09 am
    My first thought was chocolate éclair cake. Lots of recipes out there. I have one from my mom on a recipe card. :-)
    -Mary
  • Post #3 - April 24th, 2018, 11:18 am
    Post #3 - April 24th, 2018, 11:18 am Post #3 - April 24th, 2018, 11:18 am
    Texas sheet cake is so easy. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/texas-sheet-cake
    Reading is a right. Censorship is not.
  • Post #4 - April 24th, 2018, 12:00 pm
    Post #4 - April 24th, 2018, 12:00 pm Post #4 - April 24th, 2018, 12:00 pm
    If you absolutely want to avoid baking, what about serving fresh berries with, maybe, a sabayon sauce?
  • Post #5 - April 24th, 2018, 12:33 pm
    Post #5 - April 24th, 2018, 12:33 pm Post #5 - April 24th, 2018, 12:33 pm
    cooking rather than baking: chocolate mousse (Ina garten has a good recipe) or butterscotch budino (nancy silverton) or chocolate fondue + boozy whipped cream with store-bought pound cake cubes and strawberries and raspberries for dipping?
  • Post #6 - April 24th, 2018, 12:44 pm
    Post #6 - April 24th, 2018, 12:44 pm Post #6 - April 24th, 2018, 12:44 pm
    The GP wrote:My first thought was chocolate éclair cake. Lots of recipes out there. I have one from my mom on a recipe card. :-)


    Definitely one of my guilty pleasures. I've never made it myself, but I love when my mom does.
  • Post #7 - April 24th, 2018, 1:49 pm
    Post #7 - April 24th, 2018, 1:49 pm Post #7 - April 24th, 2018, 1:49 pm
    A trifle?
  • Post #8 - April 24th, 2018, 1:54 pm
    Post #8 - April 24th, 2018, 1:54 pm Post #8 - April 24th, 2018, 1:54 pm
    I'd do some large-pan cake or bars: lemon squares, key lime squares, Tollhouse chocolotae chip pan cookie bars, etc.
    "Your swimming suit matches your eyes, you hold your nose before diving, loving you has made me bananas!"
  • Post #9 - April 24th, 2018, 1:56 pm
    Post #9 - April 24th, 2018, 1:56 pm Post #9 - April 24th, 2018, 1:56 pm
    What about an apple crisp? If you can core and cut apples and mix brown sugar and oatmeal together, you can pull it off pretty easily...perhaps in two disposable foil pans to make clean up easier. Plenty of easy recipes online.
  • Post #10 - April 24th, 2018, 2:28 pm
    Post #10 - April 24th, 2018, 2:28 pm Post #10 - April 24th, 2018, 2:28 pm
    From the cheap and crazy good:

    Bread freekin' pudding. Bonus for sauce using fruit in season: Fresh Strawberries and a lil sugar in a blender.

    An assortment of the "All Butter" cookie selections from Marianos. Cut them in half and tray 'em up.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
    Pronoun: That fool over there
    Identifies as: A human that doesn't need to "identify as" something to try to somehow be interesting.
  • Post #11 - April 24th, 2018, 2:46 pm
    Post #11 - April 24th, 2018, 2:46 pm Post #11 - April 24th, 2018, 2:46 pm
    cleanplateclub wrote:I have been tasked with bringing dessert for 20 this Sunday and I am most definitely not a baker. I would love ideas for easy fabulous desserts for a crowd. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


    That's a lot but why not buy it?

    If buying is out I would make a few sorbets and ice creams, no baking required.

    How formal is this event?

    What other restrictions, if any, are there?
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #12 - April 24th, 2018, 3:00 pm
    Post #12 - April 24th, 2018, 3:00 pm Post #12 - April 24th, 2018, 3:00 pm
    Here's a peanut butter squares recipe I use frequently when we prepare dinner for a volunteering project at a housing program. It's for approx 25 folks so the recipe quantity should translate well. Its a tasty dessert. Not healthy whatsoever though... :)

    -Combine 3 cups of crushed up graham crackers, 2 lbs of confectioners’ sugar and 3 cups of peanut butter (2 16 oz jars) into a large bowl

    -Melt 4 sticks of butter and pour into peanut butter mixture. Mix all of the ingredients together

    -Place parchment paper onto a half roasting pan, and press the peanut butter mixture into the pan

    -Melt 2 bags of chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring constantly to ensure a smooth consistency

    -Spread the chocolate over the peanut butter mixture

    -Chill in refrigerator and then cut once chocolate has set
  • Post #13 - April 24th, 2018, 8:19 pm
    Post #13 - April 24th, 2018, 8:19 pm Post #13 - April 24th, 2018, 8:19 pm
    This sounds great to me and something even I, also a nonbaker, could manage, but just to check
    WhyBeeSea wrote:2 lbs of confectioners’ sugar

    2 cups?
    "Your swimming suit matches your eyes, you hold your nose before diving, loving you has made me bananas!"
  • Post #14 - April 24th, 2018, 8:47 pm
    Post #14 - April 24th, 2018, 8:47 pm Post #14 - April 24th, 2018, 8:47 pm
    Katie wrote:This sounds great to me and something even I, also a nonbaker, could manage, but just to check
    WhyBeeSea wrote:2 lbs of confectioners’ sugar

    2 cups?


    I know it sounds crazy but its a whole 2 lb bag. Obviously feel free to tweak some of the ingredient sizes. as that's part of the simplicity of this recipe
  • Post #15 - April 25th, 2018, 6:35 am
    Post #15 - April 25th, 2018, 6:35 am Post #15 - April 25th, 2018, 6:35 am
    Hi,

    Rice Krispy Treats: Melted marshmellows, butter and Rice Krispies.

    For many people, you will be touching youthful nostalgia with this dessert.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    P.S. I am curious about the circumstances of why you were selected to do something outside your skill set.

    I remember I did a potluck for mushroom club. I did not assign anyone to do anything. Whatever showed up was what was for dinner. The older women were really annoyed with me. They explained I needed to assign people to bring appetizers, salads, mains and desserts. I responded I did not know people's skills to know what to ask, so I let the chips fall where they may. Oh boy, that was not what they wanted to hear. I don't remember precisely what showed up, though it was all pretty good.
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #16 - April 25th, 2018, 7:33 am
    Post #16 - April 25th, 2018, 7:33 am Post #16 - April 25th, 2018, 7:33 am
    Hey Cathy2, I think they asked me to do dessert because I brought Trifle last time and it was great. I could back out but I don’t mind a challenge. And I can always buy dessert.

    I have a very small, tiny inclination to try the banana bread recipe featured in serious eats this week. But that’s just my masochist streak coming through. There have also been a lot of great suggestions here which I’m super grateful for. It’s is a very foodie group so I’m still considering my options.
  • Post #17 - April 25th, 2018, 9:49 am
    Post #17 - April 25th, 2018, 9:49 am Post #17 - April 25th, 2018, 9:49 am
    I also was thinking of rice krispie treats. You can jazz it up by cutting them up into squares or forming them on lollipop sticks, dipping in melted chocolate and other toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, crushed hard candy, etc.

    Here are a few recipes I have made. The cranberry lemon was the favorite when I made a variety of batches. Each uses one standard krispie recipe.

    Cranberry Lemon
    1½ cups dried cranberries (separate the cranberries so they are not clumped together)
    1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest (about 2 large lemons, use a microplane)
    Mix cranberries and lemon zest into melted marshmallows; add Krispies and continue with recipe

    Peanut Butter Cup
    ½ cup plus 2 Tbl creamy peanut butter
    ¾ cup melted chocolate (I just used choc chips)
    Melt choc in microwave (does not need to be entirely melted, just soft); make sure you don't get the choc wet or it will seize
    Mix melted choc and PB to melted marshmallow, add Krispies and continue with recipe

    Coconut Miso Caramel
    ¼ cup toasted coconut
    1 1/2 c caramel (about 1/2 of 11 oz bag of caramels)
    2-3 tsp light miso
    Melt caramel in microwave. Watch that it doesn't bubble over. Mix miso into melted caramel. Mix into melted marshmallows along with the toasted coconut. Stir, then add Krispies and continue with recipe.

    Sweet Paprika Nutella
    ½ c nutella
    2 teaspoons paprika
    Mix into melted marshmallows, then add Krispies and continue with recipe.
  • Post #18 - April 25th, 2018, 10:02 am
    Post #18 - April 25th, 2018, 10:02 am Post #18 - April 25th, 2018, 10:02 am
    Trifle
    Tiramisu
    Classic banana pudding (stupid simple):

    https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything ... a-pudding/
  • Post #19 - April 25th, 2018, 1:11 pm
    Post #19 - April 25th, 2018, 1:11 pm Post #19 - April 25th, 2018, 1:11 pm
    Okay. Make Lemon Posset. It is easy and delicious. Do use individual serving dishes, perhaps ramekins or mason jars. The Cooks Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen recipe is perfect.
    http://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/lemon-posset-berries/

    Or the ridiculously easy and decadent Plum Torte from Marian Burros at the NY Times. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/378 ... te?mcubz=0
    Last edited by pairs4life on April 27th, 2018, 9:45 pm, edited 3 times in total.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #20 - April 25th, 2018, 1:42 pm
    Post #20 - April 25th, 2018, 1:42 pm Post #20 - April 25th, 2018, 1:42 pm
    WhyBeeSea wrote:
    Katie wrote:This sounds great to me and something even I, also a nonbaker, could manage, but just to check
    WhyBeeSea wrote:2 lbs of confectioners’ sugar

    2 cups?
    I know it sounds crazy but its a whole 2 lb bag. Obviously feel free to tweak some of the ingredient sizes. as that's part of the simplicity of this recipe

    That's actually good news for me, because the girls wanted some confectioner's sugar a while ago, sprinkled some on a dessert, sprinkled some more around the kitchen, and left me with a five-year supply.
    "Your swimming suit matches your eyes, you hold your nose before diving, loving you has made me bananas!"
  • Post #21 - April 26th, 2018, 11:55 am
    Post #21 - April 26th, 2018, 11:55 am Post #21 - April 26th, 2018, 11:55 am
    I don't know if the hosts have room in freezer and on table, if so, you could bring a variety of ice cream and toppings and let guests create their own desserts.

    https://www.oberweis.com/home-delivery/browsing/category/products/desserts
  • Post #22 - April 26th, 2018, 4:16 pm
    Post #22 - April 26th, 2018, 4:16 pm Post #22 - April 26th, 2018, 4:16 pm
    There are already a lot of good suggestions here. I especially applaud the rice krispies treats.

    I'm not sure whether you are willing to bake but just don't have experience, or you are looking for desserts that don't require baking. If the latter, one of my very favorite desserts in the world is tapioca pudding. I make it using this recipe. You can find the box of tapioca in the baking aisle of your local supermarket. No baking required, although part of the preparation is on the cooktop burner.
  • Post #23 - April 29th, 2018, 12:04 pm
    Post #23 - April 29th, 2018, 12:04 pm Post #23 - April 29th, 2018, 12:04 pm
    I brought three desserts. The first was cookies from Whole Foods - it was a cheat for sure but I wanted something I knew would be good. The second was pairs4life’s plum torte which truly was ridiculously easy and decadent. The third was a riff on several posters who suggested fruit. I combined strawberries, mint, pischaios, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, lemon juice and black pepper and served it over fresh ricotta. If I did it again I would spring for a higher quality ricotta. I got the ricotta from the deli section at Mariano’s. It was okay but was definitely the weak link.

    Thank you all very very much.
  • Post #24 - April 29th, 2018, 4:30 pm
    Post #24 - April 29th, 2018, 4:30 pm Post #24 - April 29th, 2018, 4:30 pm
    I really appreciate you circling back and letting folks know how it went and what you did.

    The Italian prunes have a short end of summer season but they freeze well to make the torte later. The torte itself freezes well if you want to go that route. And I swear by the Burros fall/winter variant with apples & fresh cranberries as well. It is a beautiful and delicious addition to the holiday table.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening
  • Post #25 - April 30th, 2018, 9:10 am
    Post #25 - April 30th, 2018, 9:10 am Post #25 - April 30th, 2018, 9:10 am
    I think apricots would work really well too.
  • Post #26 - April 30th, 2018, 10:10 am
    Post #26 - April 30th, 2018, 10:10 am Post #26 - April 30th, 2018, 10:10 am
    I have heard folks put every fruit in it and declare it a winner. Also the variants where you use ground almonds and or cornmeal with any fruit.
    Ava-"If you get down and out, just get in the kitchen and bake a cake."- Jean Strickland

    Horto In Urbs- Falling in love with Urban Vegetable Gardening

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