Need fast, inexpensive, simple dessert ideas

[NaeNae]

we're hosting christmas this year and will have around 14 people over.

MIL is cooking her usual roast and DH is going to do a bbq, there will be no table setting this year because we have bub and i cannot be bothered with all the hassle so it will be very relaxed byo chair - outdoor christmas lunch.

I usuallt cook a cake and i don't like pudding but i have little time this year si i need some fast easy and cheap dessert ideas. I'd like to do something like that biscuit/cream log thing like the ad for choc ripple biscuits.

I will make some mini cheese cakes out of butternut snaps.

any ideas welcomed

nae x

[briggsy's girl]

chocolate ripple cake is easy (the recipe is on the choc ripple biscuits pack)

bb fudge looks easy enough to make a couple of days in advance
ummm, peppermint bark can be made now ready for the day
trifle
pav (isn't too bad time wise if you buy the base - but they're not cheap cheap)

[NaeNae]

i didn't think to look on the packet hmmmmmmmm fudge ..... BG where is that recipe???? whats peppermint bark?

nae x

[Olive]

id go with choc ripple cake too!! so easy just make the night before, sprinkle it with crushed peppermint crisp or flake!

[briggsy's girl]

peppermint bark is in the christmas goodies sticky thread (i just posted some updates in there so if you hit new posts you'll find it)
i think if you search there is a thread in the recipes section just for fudge. it sounds divine. i'm going to make white choc fudge, milk choc fudge, and then one with candy canes crushed through it - might even create a christmas tree with them for presentation (depending on how inspired i am - and if i leave enough to make the tree after i've snacked!)

[*Infinity*]

I saw Nigella do a really quick and easy mousse type dessert served in margherita glasses I think.

Whipped cream
Chopped strawberries
Crushed up ready-made pavlova cases

Mix it all together, spoon into the glasses and garnish with grated chocolate or something else to your liking.

The strawberries make it christmassy I guess being red.

[NaeNae]

I saw Nigella do a really quick and easy mousse type dessert served in margherita glasses I think.

Whipped cream
Chopped strawberries
Crushed up ready-made pavlova cases

Mix it all together, spoon into the glasses and garnish with grated chocolate or something else to your liking.

The strawberries make it christmassy I guess being red.

ohhh that just gave me an idea - i could do melted toblerone in the cream OMG that would be sooo yummy.

BG - you are sooo creative how do you find time to do all hat cooking?

Olive - yep it sound like a plan for that cake - love the peppermint crisp over the top idea hmmmmmm i am going to be so fat by the end of this

[Mak]

A family fav with us is ice cream cake - also not mega cheap but goes a long way and is always requested and demolished!

I use a 23cm spring form pan cover the base in foil then cling wrap.
Soften slightly ~ 2L of vanilla ice cream (I use medium priced brand so Peter's/Paul's etc)
Mix in 1 packet of crushed vanilla meringues and ~ 1 small packet of frozen raspberries. Try not to smoosh everything up too much. Put in tin, smooth top with back of a spoon and cover with foil. Refreeze. This generally covers our family of 18.

An alternative is to do mix chopped Mars bars/toblerone and omit the meringue. You could also mix in some fruit mince and top with some choc sauce (or Ice Magic) for an alternative Christmas Pudding. Heaps of scope to do whatever you like really!

Merry Christmas!