Hi Lindsey,
Please help! We’ve been invited to my sister-in-law’s for Christmas and there will be 21 adults plus many kids running around. I’m supposed to bring dessert. I am hoping you can give me some good ideas for easily transportable desserts….I love your peppermint bark brownies idea so that will probably be one of the desserts. But, I need more!
Many thanks,
Karen
Dear Karen,
I love you for asking me this question! Desserts for a crowd are my specialty. In fact, I’m insulted when we’re invited somewhere and the hostess doesn’t ask me to bring a dessert. (Just kidding.)
I happen to know that Karen is a busy mom to little kids, so she probably needs something easy to prepare, easy to transport, and can be made in advance.
One thing to keep in mind, readers, is that at this time of year there are so many treats wherever you go, people sometimes won’t eat as much of a particular dessert as they might another time of year. You may not need as much dessert as you think. Trust me on this. I catered a wedding a few days after Christmas and the desserts (which were marvelous) were barely touched in favor of the savory appetizers. Just a thought to keep in mind.
I gotcha covered, Karen. All of these can be easily transported, I’ve included tips for transportation under each heading. I hope you enjoy the Peppermint Bark Brownies and have a wonderful Christmas.
*Transportation tips: leave cake unfrosted, right before serving slip into the kitchen and frost.
* Transportation tips: this is super easy to transport because all components should be kept separate until serving time. You can also slice the cake ahead of time, place on a pretty platter, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. The earlier you make the cake, the better. Pound cake improves as it sits. It won’t dry out too much, but even if it does, it will soak up the juices from the fruit.
*Transportation tips: trifles should be made ahead of time so the flavors can meld together. If you want the top to be pretty, leave off the last layer of whipped cream and garnish until you arrive at the party. Also, a trifle dish is a hard thing to keep steady when you are on the road. Instead of a footed trifle dish, use a glass baking dish (like I said above) or a bowl with straight sides. Those are much more travel friendly. And in the case of the 9 by 13″ pan, it makes for easy portions.
* Transportation tips: Make cake a day before (it improves the next day too), keep covered with foil or plastic wrap. It makes for easy transport also because you keep everything separate until serving time.
* Transport tips: Pavlovas can be made up to a day or two ahead of time. They must be kept in an airtight container. Any moisture will cause them to become sticky. They travel well for the same reasons as the gingerbread and pound cake.
Roulade
* Transport tips: Use a few toothpicks inserted along the top and sides of the roulade to keep the plastic wrap or foil from the surface. Transports very well.
* Very easy to transport
* Easy to transport. Place baked and chilled mini cheesecakes on a rimmed baking dish or platter covered with plastic wrap. Wait until you get to the party to top with fruit or toppings.
* Transportation tips: If you live a long drive away, you could make this ahead of time and keep it warm by wrapping it in towels and reheat briefly in the hostess’ oven. It tastes better warm out of the oven. OR…you could pour the custard base over the bread cubes and let it soak while you drive and impose on the hostess when you get there and bake it fresh. Either way, it travels well.
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| image via marthastewart.com |
* Because I’ve never made this myself…I can’t say for sure that it travels well. But it seems to me that it would be just fine in a large serving bowl covered with plastic wrap.
*One last thing…this would be a great companion to the Peppermint Bark Brownies, by the way.
* Easy to transport, but to keep the top decoration fresh looking, use toothpicks inserted in the top to keep the foil or plastic wrap from marring the surface. Or you could leave it in the spring form pan while you drive and then make the finishing touches once you get there.
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Any other ideas readers? I tend to stick with recipes I know for predictability sake. Also, I’ve included recipes above that our family loves. What about you? Do you have any favorites that you take to your family parties? Anything that is easy to make, transportable, and serves a crowd?
We’d love to hear your ideas. Please share!
3 Comments
Wow, great post filled with holiday dessert ideas.
thanks!
Ha! That quote about being angry if you aren’t asked to make dessert made me laugh. I think one of the first times I met you was at the Buchanan’s for your birthday party where you made your own birthday cake. I thought that was the funniest thing. Until I tasted it. (Chocolate and p.b. cake). Then I knew.
You are a cooking genius. :0)
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Again. :-)