Help me impress my parents with a dessert (or appetizer)!!

[Suellen]

Cake Balls!

My family LOVED these!!

http://www.grouprecipes.com/10212/cake-balls.html

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

If you want to really impress them, I highly recommend this recipe. People always think I get it from a bakery, and can't believe I made it (and if only they knew that it's not all that hard to make...). It's also pretty inexpensive compared to a cheesecake!

Blitz Torte

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 c. butter or shortening
1/2 c. sugar
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

4 egg whites
3/4 c. sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 extra tablespoon sugar
1/2 c. sliced almonds (the really thin ones, not slivered)
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

Line the bottoms of two 8" greased pans with waxed paper (I don't always do this, though).

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, cream shortening with 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, milk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly between the two pans.

Beat egg whites until stiff, adding 3/4 cup sugar gradually. Spread over unbaked batter in both pans.

Mix cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar together. Sprinkle egg whites with almonds and then the cinnamon and sugar.

Bake at 350 deg F for 30 minutes.

When cool, place 1 cake, meringue side up on plate. Spread whipped cream over cake. Place second layer on top of whipped cream.




The almonds and cinnamon sugar on top look really nice when finished, and there's no need for frosting. It looks very sophisticated, and tastes wonderful!

I quite often make the cakes the day before and then just assemble right before going to my event since it only takes two minutes (I think the whipped cream stays nicer that way).

 

[RUDisney]

If you want to really impress them, I highly recommend this recipe. People always think I get it from a bakery, and can't believe I made it (and if only they knew that it's not all that hard to make...). It's also pretty inexpensive compared to a cheesecake!

Blitz Torte

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 c. butter or shortening
1/2 c. sugar
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

4 egg whites
3/4 c. sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 extra tablespoon sugar
1/2 c. sliced almonds (the really thin ones, not slivered)
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

Line the bottoms of two 8" greased pans with waxed paper (I don't always do this, though).

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, cream shortening with 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, milk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly between the two pans.

Beat egg whites until stiff, adding 3/4 cup sugar gradually. Spread over unbaked batter in both pans.

Mix cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar together. Sprinkle egg whites with almonds and then the cinnamon and sugar.

Bake at 350 deg F for 30 minutes.

When cool, place 1 cake, meringue side up on plate. Spread whipped cream over cake. Place second layer on top of whipped cream.




The almonds and cinnamon sugar on top look really nice when finished, and there's no need for frosting. It looks very sophisticated, and tastes wonderful!

I quite often make the cakes the day before and then just assemble right before going to my event since it only takes two minutes (I think the whipped cream stays nicer that way).

I think I may give this a test drive today! It sounds wonderful and different!

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I think I may give this a test drive today! It sounds wonderful and different!

Please let me know how it turns out . I always get nervous when I post recipes and wonder if other people end up cursing me because they think the result is awful!!!!

 

[RUDisney]

Please let me know how it turns out . I always get nervous when I post recipes and wonder if other people end up cursing me because they think the result is awful!!!!

Will do, but this seems pretty straight forward. The only thing I have to run out to buy is whipping cream. I have everything else on hand.

 

[Christine]

Will do, but this seems pretty straight forward. The only thing I have to run out to buy is whipping cream. I have everything else on hand.

Yes, please let us know. It sounds like the type of dessert I would love. Also, can anyone comment on the use of the almonds? I would like to make this nut-free. Are they a big part of the dessert and, if so, what would make a good substitution.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Yes, please let us know. It sounds like the type of dessert I would love. Also, can anyone comment on the use of the almonds? I would like to make this nut-free. Are they a big part of the dessert and, if so, what would make a good substitution.

I've heard about people putting a strawberry layer in with the whipped cream; I think in that case you could probably get away without the almonds (although they really add a nice touch for those that can eat them!).

Also, my mother-in-law sometimes uses a pastry cream made with instant pudding in the middle sometimes, (but I prefer the whipped cream myself). I suspect you could also add lemon juice and zest to make it lemony (and then I'd omit the cinnamon and almonds)...in fact, maybe I'll try that this week!

 

[IUTBAM]

Death by chocolate

Bake a chocolate cake as per directions on box

In a glass bowl layer the following

1. Baked cake all crumpled up into pieces
2. Chocolate pudding as per directions on box
3. Cool whip
4. Mini chocolate chips or Heath bars crumpled up ( or both)
5. Chocolate sauce and/or caramel sauce
Repeat leaving the cool whip as the last layer.

Always a hit!!!!

OMG this sounds AMAZING! My DD actually made a chocolate cake this weekend that fell apart when she tried to frost it (she had made some substitutions to make it lower fat and lower cholesterol, and that didn't work so well, haha), and this would have been a great idea to use the crumbled cake for (although there would definitely be nothing low fat about this, lol).

 

[Topper]

http://foodgawker.com/tag/appetizer/

http://foodgawker.com/tag/dessert-sweets/

 

[Wishing on a star]

MMMMmmm!!! the Crabmeat Mousse sounds divine!!!!!


PS: I am with those who just would never, ever, be impressed with a pudding and cool whip dessert.

Both are fake, processed, foods that we consider inedible around here.
Not to judge or offend anyone...
But, JMHO....

 

[NotUrsula]

.

 

[NotUrsula]

this is so elegant and people will think you went all out for this appetizer. AND SOOOOOOOOO EASY

Its Crabmeat mousse...

2 cans of crabmeat drained...does not have to be expensive
..

With all due respect, canned crabmeat has a terribly stringy texture. If you're going to go to the trouble to serve crab, at least use frozen, rather than canned, and Lump Backfin if at all possible. It DOES make a difference, trust me.

For those looking for meatless (but who don't need dairy-free), I'll suggest a timeless classic that is hugely popular worldwide: Spinach Madeline. It's not hugely impressive to look at, but the flavor is legendary.
http://www.jfolse.com/recipes/vegetables/sidedish45.htm
(I prefer to use a higher-quality cheese in mine, but that does prolong the prep time a bit and make it a bit less travel-friendly.)

 

[marthachick]

Paula Deen's Caramel Apple Cheesecake is wonderful.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/caramel-apple-cheesecake-recipe/index.html

Also if you need an impressive recipe for Christmas, try this one for Red Velvet Cheesecake. Yummy & a very festive looking dessert!

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001023804

 

[Disney Doll]

Pancetta Wrapped Pears

Slice pears into 8 slcies
Scoop out the part where the seeds are, leaving a little divot
Smoosh some blue cheese into the little divot
Put an arugula leaf on the pear
Wrap the pear with a slice of pancetta
Stick a toothpick through it to hold it all together

 

[NotUrsula]

Notursula.
Not to be disrespectful on someone elses post...but the cheap canned crabmeat for this dish is fine......We are not serving crab as a crab main dish but as an appetizer that needs it for mostly its flavor and help to keep this dish together.......We have been making it for the last 40 or so years and it is the first thing to be asked for and the first dish to be empty at a function.
Hope you have a happy holidays

... But think how much BETTER it would be if you didn't use canned.

It doesn't matter if it's an appetizer. The OP is looking for something that will impress, and honestly, if you're a foodie who likes crab, canned won't do that. The difference in texture in any creamy-textured dish would be immediately apparent. Personally, I can always spot the flavor of canned crabmeat because pasteurization in the can makes it metallic-tasting. (I'll concede that freezing leaves a mark, too. For perfect flavor you need to buy them live and pick them yourself.)

 

[ckmommy]

This one will IMPRESS!!!! I made it for 2 holiday events last year and people were amazed--and it was easy!

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/chocolate-mousse-torte-114021.aspx

 

[amg35]

Wow! thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I haven't decided what I'll be making, but these all look good.


I'll be sure to let you know what I end up making and how it turns out!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

This year I need a dessert for New Years Eve Dinner. I read this in a magazine and I am going to give it a try. I don't want to be in the kitchen to long so it seems easy and elegant...


Small Meringue shells (you can make them or buy them in a bakery)
Vanilla Ice Cream
Strawberries
Choc Sauce
Flavored Liquors.
Mint Sprigs


Im going to put the ice cream in the shells, pour over the choc sauce and let them chose their liquor to drizzle and serve with a sprig of mint!!!!

TA DA.....there is my dessert!!!! LOL This is probably even worse than brownies and they would make fun of you forever!!! I am being very lazy this year so that I can enjoy the fun!!!! Good luck in whatever you decide to make!!

 

[N&B'smom]

OMG super easy and oh so delicious...you should make the Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings! I've made them several times and everyone LOVES them!!!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/02/apple_dumplings/

If you click on the link it takes you to the picture and step by step instructions. It's SO easy!!

 

[MJMouse]

MMMMmmm!!! the Crabmeat Mousse sounds divine!!!!!


PS: I am with those who just would never, ever, be impressed with a pudding and cool whip dessert.

Both are fake, processed, foods that we consider inedible around here.
Not to judge or offend anyone...
But, JMHO....

So use real whipped cream. It's easy too... I used cool whip in deference to family who need a lower fat alternative.