Christmas Day Deserts with NO Alcohol

[LaDeeDa]

DF and I have been asked to provide the deserts for Christmas Day - I'm going to need to do 2-3 deserts because there is going to be so many people.

All the really decadent receipes I've got include alcohol and as DF is on the wagon I don't want to use alcohol in cooking......

The other problem is that whatever I make needs to travel for about 4 hours to the venue (we're having christmas at the IL's farm which is in the middle of nowhere)

Does anyone have any great recipes for some really yummy deserts that will travel and don't use grog???

Thanks guys!!!!

[Phteven]

What about a pavlova - you can make the shell and put it in a hard case nestled in some paper so it doesn't get broken and then put the topping in seperate containers and assemble it when you get there.
I would say a bomba but they don't travel.
Chocolate fondue?

[Tanya]

I ws going to say Pav...you can buy the base at the supermarket if you don't feel confident in making it.

Christmas pudding and custard?

[briggsy's girl]

well, we got a suggestion from a four year old yesterday - we're having fruit platter!! yummm. add chocolate and whipped cream for dipping

you can do a cheese platter if you're into that sort of thing

tridle without grog (just do the whipped cream when you get there) - it travels pretty well in an esky cos we do it every year!

pav if you can assemble it there - just buy pav base cos they travel ok (you can get the 1kg bases from the shops) and then whip the cream and chuck deco's on when you get there

plum pudding - doesn't have to have grog in it - have custard and cream for sides

ummm, i'm all out!

maybe cup cakes (depending on who is gonna be there) -just ice them when you get there - and if they don't get used (if still un-iced) whack them in the freezer for snacks later

[LaDeeDa]

Hi Guys,

I make a pretty mean Pav but quite a few of the fam don't eat it so thats out as is plum pudding!!!

They're not making it easy for me ...LOL

Love the cupcake idea .... got a wicked recipe for those that will freeze - great thinking BG

[Snacks]

What about a mud cake? They are robust and you could ice them with ganash when you get there. You could do a couple - choc and white choc or caramel... I've got some recipes if you like.
Or an apple & berry crumble & take some cream & custard in an esky to have with it?
Or make a few slices - chocolate brownies, lemon slice, rocky road... and make a slice platter?

[LaDeeDa]

hey snacks.....
thats a great idea.... any recipes would be really appreciated.
Also the slice platter is good to because that we everyone gets something they like and noone can whinge (would i really be that lucky ....lol)

[Rouge]

Chocolate & Cinnamon truffle mudcake... mmmmm

Damn shame about the travel as a cassata or ice cream pudding would be perfect!

[Olive]

Chocolate ripple cake, triffle, i assume your taking an esky?

[LaDeeDa]

yep got a big esky.... choc ripple cake sounds nice....

sorry i forgot o mention that I've been told no trifle either ......

[sangie]

Hhhmmm think they are a bit fussy Dee!

How about cheesecake? Should be right if you put in an esky with lots of ice. You could then decorate with fruit/choc when you get there.
Platter of slices/biscuits is a good idea.
You could take fruit and cut it up when you get there and have a toblerone dipping sauce, yum!

[LaDeeDa]

Hhhmmm think they are a bit fussy Dee!

Me thinks your right hun.....

Why didn't I think of a cheesecake
hmmmm so far we have a cheese cake, platter of slices and chocolate ripple cake.

Sure that would be enough to keep the masses happy???

I tried pointing out that I'll be 33 weeks pg and maybe SIL could do it .... didn't go down well ...LOL

[sangie]

Depends how many people and how many of them like dessert lol!
We tend to only have small portions for dessert after a big meal - I would cut small slices of the cakes.

If you don't think it is enough then take some easy things just in case like packet of shortbread biscuits, fruit, mince pies? Or don't take anymore and if it ain't enough then too bad lol!

[LaDeeDa]

There is going to be 12 adults and 2 tweens ....

small portions don't wash in DF's family......
It doesn't matter how rich something is they just plough through it until they are ill.....
and the most suprising this is that apart from FIL noone is overweight

[briggsy's girl]

if you do those and they're NOT satisfied, tell them to go get a bowl of icecream! or go organise something themselves!

i would suggest someone do a fruit platter though - of we have a four year old wanting one, it has to have SOME appeal! and the real fusspots can chop up the fruit and make a bowl of fruit salad (or you could do that - fresh fruit salad - YUMMMM)

[LaDeeDa]

yummmmmmm i love fruit salad .... yep we'll chuck that on the list too and after that ....tough titties...LOL

thanks lovelies!!!

[Snacks]

Hey Dee, not sure if you are still interested in these but here's some cakey recipes:

White Choc Mud
250g butter
150g chopped white chocolate
2 cups caster sugar
1 cup milk
1.5 cups plain flour
0.5 cups self-raising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 eggs, lightly beaten
White choc ganache
0.5cups cream
300g chopped white choc

Grease deep 20cm round cake pan & line with baking paper
Combine butter, chocolate, sugar & milk in medium saucepan; stir over low heat without boiling until smooth. Transfer mixture to large bowl; cool 15 minutes.
Whisk sifted flours into mixture then stir in essence and eggs. Pour mixture into prepared pan; bake in moderately slow oven for 1 hour.
Stand cake in pan 30 minutes; turn onto wire rack to cool.
Ganache
Bring cream to a boil in small saucepan; pour over chocolate in a small bowl, stirring until chocolate melts. Cover, refrigerate, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until spreadable.

New York Cheesecake
250g packet sweet plain biscuits
125g butter, melted
750g packaged cream cheese
3 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
0.75 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
0.25 cup lemon juice

Line base of 22cm springform tin with foil. Process biscuits until finely crushed, add butter; process until combined.
Press biscuit mixture over base and side of prepared tin. Place tin on oven tray & refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to moderately slow.
Beat the remaining ingredients in medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Pour cheese mixture into biscuit crust. Bake in mod slow oven about 1 hour or until just set in the centre.
Turn oven off and cool cheesecake in oven with door ajar.
Cover, refrigerate cheesecake overnight.

[LaDeeDa]

Your an angel amy thanks!!!!!!

I might have to make them this weekend just to test them out ....hehehehehehe