Christmas dessert SOS!!!

[duckbilled]

Arrived at the inlaws last night in preparation for the big day, everything was sorted and planned.... Until....
Was told ten minutes ago that I am responsible for making dessert for 10 people . I need to be able to prepare it on Christmas Eve so that I can stay out the way. Can anyone offer any suggestions?? Thank you

Trifle and cheesecake would be the easiest I think

You could make a pavlova if you want and have access to fresh fruit

So presumably Christmas pudding is not being offered?

We are having individual sticky toffee puddings. I tried them out a few weeks ago and they are lovely and can be made in advance too.

Iceland giant chocolate champagne bottle shaped ice cream. Yes.

Trifle?Gateau of some description? A nice roulade? Mmm I want some form of roulade now,oops!

Go to a supermarket, buy mini mince pies, posh chocolates, flavoured cream eg brandy, dates and marzipan, posh biscuits eg Sainsburys do lavender shortbread hearts, some physallis.
Stuff the dates with the marzipan.
On the day, get a pretty dinner plate for each guest and lay out your purchases invitingly, sprinkle a drift of icing sugar over the rim of each plate, add a shot glass of pudding wine or port.
Serve to acclaim and praise

www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=284735934

How ridiculous to spring that on you. They deserve tinned fruit and evap for that.

Or you could go and buy a really nice chocolate log, mince pies, cream and a cheese board (or similar type things). They don't need any prep or fridge space or for you to be faffing about in a strange kitchen.

Vienetta!

www.tesco.com/groceries/ProductBuylist/default.aspx?id=G00008334&icid=Zones_Christmas_day_buylist_Textlink_desserts

I'd just do an enormous trifle.

For a confident excited cook I would have loads of suggestions.

For someone panicking after a demand to immediately come up with something I would say go to a large supermarket, pick up whatever fancy remade dessert is big enough to do ten and relax :)

Trifle, lots of sherry.

Eton mess - ready made meringues (either bite-sized ones or larger ones crushed up), raspberries are fine on their own or you can add red grapes or other fruit you like), whipped cream.

Meringues into each bowl, sprinkle fruit on top, generous dollop of cream - job done.

OR

Nigella's key lime pie www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/aug/08/20-dessert-recipes-chocolate-nigella - it's very easy, and you can do this chocolate version or just leave the chocolate out, it's gorgeous either way, and v rich and filling so you don't need lots per person.

Very mean to spring this on you at the last minute though...

Individual melt in the middle chocolate puddings, I have a great Lakeland recipe which requires making the mixture and leaving to chill in the fridge the night before and then only takes 10 mins to cook. They are delicious,
can post the recipe if you want

This sounds lovely;
Mince pie ice cream

I really hate the idea of Xmas dinner as a gigantic carb-fest after which you feel violently ill. I'd be inclined to buy some good fruit. (Pineapple. Grapes) And a couple of decent pieces of cheese, plus a selection of savoury biscuits.

I'd do pavlova. V easy. Nice and light.

Make a couple of massive meringues on Christmas Eve.

Whip a load of cream on Christmas day. Sandwich together. Whipped cream and fruit on top.

Christmas pudding ice cream.

Hagen Daaz vanilla ice cream

Handful of chopped glace cherries

Handful of chopped mixed peel

Handful of chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

Handful of sultanas soaked in brandy

Chopped stollen cake or christmas pudding

1 shot glass brandy, mixed in.

Add ingredients to ice cream. Stir. Re-freeze. Top with chocolate sauce

I do think that it's very unfair of the Head Cook to spring this on you at the last moment, advanced warning would have given you the chance to make something in your own kitchen, or at least be prepared.

I would think that fridge / freezer space is at a premium as they are catering for ten, and my bet is the Head Cook will not be very helpful when it comes to finding fridge space for your pudding. Be warned!!

This is my fave desert Raspberry & Limonchello Trifle

Doesn't your DH have anything to do with this super plan?

If I got to my in laws and got told I was responsible for pudding, then DH would be well and truly taking the lead!

Trifle - best I have ever had consists of, ladyfingers, topped with orange or mandarin jelly, fresh mandarin segments, light custard and then a sweetened thickened cream with lemon zest/candied orange peel on top.

Alternatively, fresh fruit salad with a sticky juice. Juice my mum uses is orange segments, lemon segments, caster sugar and boiling water. Leave to simmer for an hour or so, and then strain. For a wintery salad, use plums, red grapes, figs, raisins/sultanas.. Maybe even use a different juice - try a bit of orange blossom and honey.. Or brandy.. Serve it with a slice of gingerbread, some nuts and brandy cream, and call it deconstructed christmas cake?

Lemon sorbet. Nice and light and refreshing after a rich feast; and very easy - just buy a big tub, and then pretty it up with lemon peel.

You could try crystalising the peel, and start the process now.