Dazzling Desserts
Delicious, decadent - this is not a party for dieters! So tell your friends to eat light the week before so they can indulge! Fresh ingredients are a must for successful cooking and baking and is very important for this party’s success. If you have baking soda, baking powder, or spices, that have been around since ancient times, dump them! Their shelf life is only 6 months once they are opened. If you use a baking powder that is old, your cake/bread/muffin, won't rise properly and you will be disappointed and your dessert ruined. The cost of your ruined dessert more than out weighs the cost of a new baking powder. Here’s to successful baking! Good Luck!
We have provided you with our party menu and a sample recipe below; Strawberries with Powdered Sugar, Whipped Cream or Chocolate Fondue, so you have a better idea of what the recipes are like. Try it out on us, if you like it download the entire party or purchase the Carefree Gourmet Buffets book.
The Dazzling Dessert Menu
- Sweet-Tart Lemon Bars (recipe)
- Strawberries with Powdered Sugar or Whipped Cream (purchase) or Chocolate Fondue (recipe)
- Cheesecake (can be purchased) with Raspberry Sauce (recipe)
- Brownies (purchase mix)
- Display Cake: fancy (bakery order/purchase)
- Zucchini Bread (recipe/make ahead and freeze)
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread (recipe/make ahead and freeze)
- Mousse Cake or Torte (purchase)
- Assorted Cheeses, Fruits, Crackers, and Nuts (purchase)
- Coffee
- Mulled Cider
- Tea
- Champagne Cocktails
- Johannesburg Riesling (or other sweet wine)
- Milk (child guests)
Free Recipe
Strawberries with Powdered Sugar, Whipped Cream or Chocolate Fondue
Number of Servings: 20
Serving Dishes: Large crystal or glass bowl, fondue pan with forks, small crystal or glass bowl
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Can You Double: Yes
Can You Freeze: Yes, up to 6 months (chocolate sauce only)
- 4 pints of fresh strawberries,
- 1 (1 lb) box powdered sugar
- 1 pint (2 c) heavy cream
- 10 oz best-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, like Lindt, cut into small pieces
Clean and hull strawberries; place in a bowl. Decide what you will be serving with your strawberries; powdered sugar, whipped cream and/or chocolate fondue. Pour powdered sugar into a small, decorative bowl. Scoop whipped topping, such as Cool Whip into a decorate bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or in a sauce pan over low heat. Stir continually to avoid burning. Once melted, remove from heat. Pour cream into a 1 1/2 quart saucepan set over medium heat. When the cream begins to simmer, lower the heat and add the melted chocolate. Whisk for 1 minute over low heat, then turn off the heat. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly before using. The sauce will remain liquid at room temperature for about 2 hours, then it will thicken. You can soften it by reheating it on low over the stove top and whisking until heated through.
Note: Because strawberries are seasonal, you may substitute bananas, pineapple or kiwi. Be sure to add the fruit to your grocery list.