OT: Recipe Help

My hubby is bringing about 30 of his staff home with him Monday night for a barbecue at our home. (he mentioned it a while ago - in a round-about way -- but I just realized it was next week! ARGH!!!) I've got most things planned -- but I'm looking for some to-die-for desserts that are quick and easy -- and fit with a casual barbecue theme.

I make mean chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies... and will do some of those. But what other good tried-and-true suggestions can you share. I'm thinking like Lemon Bars of some kind -- or a fruit/nut bar. And of course a GREAT CHOCOLATE something!!! It's supposed to be quite warm here (80's) so I want to avoid refrigerated desserts. And if they can be done a day or two ahead (like on Saturday or Sunday) -- even better!!!!

Please post here -- because I'm sure if they're really good recipes -- lots of RCTQ'ers will want to give them a try! Thanks in advance....

Reply to
Kate G.
Loading thread data ...

Reply to
Taria

Sounds yummy -- I'd love the recipe if you wouldn't mind sharing!

Reply to
Kate G.

Hi

You could always do Texas Sheetcake brownies. Almost a cross between a brownie and a cake. Wonderfully moist and chewy and gooey and chocolaty. Mix it up, spread in pan, bake, top with chocolate icing. Done. I can't find the recipe at the moment but I can always call Mom or my sister.

Steven Alaska

I make mean chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies... and will do some of those. But what other good tried-and-true suggestions can you share. I'm thinking like Lemon Bars of some kind -- or a fruit/nut bar. And of course a GREAT CHOCOLATE something!!! It's supposed to be quite warm here (80's) so I want to avoid refrigerated desserts. And if they can be done a day or two ahead (like on Saturday or Sunday) -- even better!!!!

Please post here -- because I'm sure if they're really good recipes -- lots of RCTQ'ers will want to give them a try! Thanks in advance....

Reply to
steve

Kate, since you've got a little time (little, little) do use one of my hurricane tricks and do some serious freezing. You can make your own blocks of ice - bread / meatloaf pans work well. They keep much better than bought ice and you can put anything that must be kept cold such as potato salad or slaw containing mayonnaise on top of the blocks. Muffin pans are also good for making ice. We like to put muffin ice in a big tub and set the salad bowls on them. Keeps everything chilled and, hopefully, safe. Another reminder - You said this was casual outdoor. If you'll be using paper plates, etc., do remember that you'll need a respectable container for tossing all of that. If the butler will be using the everyday crystal and china, nevermind. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

It's June... STRAWBERRIES! Just have a huge vat of them sitting there for folk to pick up in their fingers and munch on... Slices of melon are good, too. I like to pile up several different sorts so the colours look pretty. Little bunches of grapes and fresh figs also go down well.

Pick-n-mix fruit salad! Serve cream or vanilla ice cream if you must, but this sort of fruit dessert usually goes better with a small glass os dessert wine... And some home made biscotti!

Forget chocolate ib hot weather. It just melts and makes a mess.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

Kate,

You want chocolate? This is CHOCOLATE! You'll need to scroll a bit more than half way down the page, but it will be worth it. You are looking for Chocolate Kahlua Cake. The url will take you to the Fat Quarter Shop blog site. The full url is 144 characters long. I promise all of you that this tiny one is safe.

http://t> My hubby is bringing about 30 of his staff home with him Monday night for a

Reply to
Rita L. in MA

This will probably sound too simple and weird. Last year I had a bbq for a large crowd with quite a few regular desserts available, but when I brought out a tray of sugarfree Popsicles, everyone grabbed one. It surprised me, as I had bought them for the kids. It was funny seeing all these big tall 200 pound men hanging around the pool eating popsicles, probably hadn't had them in years. A couple of the guys were doing Weight Watchers and were glad to have them. I kept bringing them out for the duration of the party and they all went.

Denise

Reply to
Denise in NH

Just baked 5 batches of this cake for DD (15) birthday to feed her classmates and the "starving" crowd at her karate club - the tin came back empty...not even a crumb! I did get to try it and it was delicious. You get

16 slices or 25 if ypu are feeling mean! the Orance drizzle icing is probably a better idea for hot weather rather than the traditional cream cheese one.

formatting link
Karen

Reply to
Karen

I'm in agreement with Kate! Fruit, fruit and more fruit! if you must have a sweet, do a tray of Oreos. Really, we do it all the time...goes over huge!! and nothing melts!!

so what time do we get there??? LOL! =)

amy in CNY

Reply to
amy in CNY

This is a 2nd vote for the strawberries idea. I can't tell you how many times I've been hailed as a genius for bringing strawberries. (This only works if they're in season. In season, they're inexpensive and wonderful. Out of season they cost too much and don't taste as good.) It's almost a joke with me. There will be a potluck, and others will knock themselves out trying to outdo each other with richer and fancier desserts. Then I'll walk in with the strawberries, and everyone will realize that too much of the buttery stuff makes them feel horrible.

Brownies are good, but brownies with a side of strawberries is better. Pound cake is good, but pound cake with a side of strawberries is better. Mousse is good, but mousse with a side of strawberries is better. You get the idea. Whatever you serve, visually put all the baked goods on one side, then put an equal amount of strawberries on the other.

When I'm doing it, I trim the green leaves off with a knife the day before. I put the strawberries in a collander and stick them in the fridge just like that. They transport easily that way. (I realize you're at home, but it's the same principle.) Minutes before serving, I give them a good rinse. You'll be outdoors so you don't even need a plate to catch the drips. When I'm taking them to a potluck, I just bring a plate to put under the collander.

And if there are any dieters in your crowd, the strawberries give them a way to help themselves without having to call attention to themselves as eating the "diet food."

--Lia

Reply to
Julia Altshuler

Nothing better than a good brownie -I use the recipe on the Bakers box, with pecans. Roberta in D

"Kate G." schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:R9SdnT5eOdObCdXVnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Reply to
Taria

A nice bowl of cherries is usually welcome...!!!...

Reply to
MB

Reply to
Taria

I made this recipe about 3 weeks ago and there wasn't anything leftover after about 30 people discovered them . For some odd reason the plain brownies didn't "sell" well !! It makes a nice big pan.

Mississippi Mud Cake

1 C. butter, softened 2 C. sugar 1/2 C. unsweetened Cocoa 4 Lg. eggs, slightly beaten 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 tsp salt 1 1/2 C. flour 1 1/2 C. coarsely chopped walnuts Whisk tog. all ingred ( except nuts )...until well mixed... then add nuts and mix. Pour into a pam sprayed 10 x 15 pan... 350 deg...for 20 to 25 min. or until wooden pick comes out clean.

Remove from oven and top with most of a 10 oz bag of mini marshmallows ( what ever fits ) and return to oven for 5 minutes.

Make fudge frosting and drizzle on top. ( The recipe calls for way too much fudge frosting ---so I make only one-third of the following and it is the perfect amount. So kind of eyeball 1/3 of this recipe and it will be fine !) l6 oz pkg of confectionary sugar

1/2 C. milk 1/4 cup melted butter 1/3 C. of unsweetened Cocoa. Mix together and drizzle over warm cake when marshmallow topping is done. Don't forget to make only 1/3 of the fudge frosting !!...

The other day I used soft butter but then had to stick it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it "drizzly". I'll use melted next time !

Also..the directions say that you can use two pkgs of brownie mix and continuing instead of making your own brownie batter. ...I don't as the above brownie recipe is easy.

I made this the day before the event...covered it with plastic wrap...it is low enough in the pan so the wrap doesn't touch the frosting . Also, cutting them the next day ensures that they cut very nicely.. Kind of like they are softer and not crumbly . Mary

Reply to
MB

I couldn't find it on the main page -- but after a little searching and link following.... I found it -- and it sounds scrumptious!

Here it is for those like me who want to definitely give this one a try!

Chocolate Kahlua Cake (by the Jolly Jabber)

1 package Devil's Food Cake Mix (without Pudding)

1 small package Chocolate Instant Pudding mix

6 oz chocolate chips

4 eggs

¾ cup Oil

1/3 cup Kahlua Liquer

2 cups Sour Cream

Combine ingredients - mixing well.

Pour into well-greased bundt cake pan

Bake for 1 hour @ 350º.

Serve with Whipped Cream or Glaze with Chocolate Syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Best if made a day ahead!!

Reply to
Kate G.

This is a good cake too that we like and yes,,,,there are NO eggs in it. In a lg mixing bowl mix tog:

3 C flour 2 C sugar 6 Tbs. Cocoa 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt

Mix together and add to above:

3/4 C. salad oil 2 Tbs. vinegar 2 tsp vanilla 2 C. cold water

Pour into a Pam sprayed 9 x 13 pan Bake 375 for 30 to 35 minutes.

Frosting: Beat 1 /4 lb butter

3 tbs cocoa powder, unsweetened Add: 1 1/2 C. sifted conf. sugar 2 to 3 Tbs milk 1 tsp vanilla

I frost the cake when it is cool and then stick in fridge to set the frosting .

Mary

Reply to
MB

That is v-e-r-y interesting. I love reading recipes and always look for 'secret' ingredients. Wonder what the 2 tablespoons of vinegar brings to the party? Will have to try that out. Polly

"MB" This is a good cake too that we like and

Reply to
Polly Esther

I'm the official pie, cake, pastry, dessert guru in the family/friends crowd so I get asked to fix desserts a lot. Last year I was asked to bring dessert for THE wedding rehearsal BBQ, it was in August in my son's back yard. I picked up a case of those Dixie Cups...the vanilla ice cream/orange sherbet in the cardboardy cup with the little flat wooden spoon things. They were not only a huge hit but started a whole new flow of fun conversation of...."when I was a kid....." I also fixed a (finger food) platter of fresh fruit. All very easy and well received.

Anything chocolate is always wonderful but you're going to have lots of 'heavy' food with the BBQ goodies and it will be (hopefully) a warm day. I light cool dessert is a welcomed change of taste. You're going to have plenty to do to get ready for this shindig. Keep it simple. Make sure you have a decent 30 gallon trash can (or two) and plenty of bags for clean-up and stock pile TWICE the ice than you think you'll need.

When asked of my then future DDIL if she did the wonderful pasta salad (and it really was good) she leaned against the table, put the back of her hand to her forehead and said....."Oh yes, I drove my poor exhausted body to the Safeway deli and hauled it all the way home, BY MY SELF, such a chore." I just love that girl LOL

Val

Reply to
Val

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.