Pudding problems - please rescue the situation

[Monvelo]

Making puddings for 15 on boxing day. So far I've made a cheesecake that was too runny and has cracked, and a spiced apple cake that domed in the middle and is flat on the edges. No Christmas logs left in the shop so DH got a chocolate covered swiss roll. What can I make to improve this situation that won't end in disaster?!

Have you got fruit to make a compote? You could pour that over the cheesecake to hide the cracks.
Turn the apple cake upside down so you only see the smooth bottom part.

Ice the apple cake?
What do you have in the cupboard for Ingredients?
Chocolate melted with cornflakes/Rice Krispies and nuts like a post rocky road and in clusters could be nice.

Eton mess??

Do you have dates, butter, brown sugar, eggs and flour in the house? Sticky toffee pudding. Make the cake bit tonight and tomorrow melt cream, butter and sugar together for the sauce.

I put a slosh of whiskey in the sauce because I like it and I make it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sticky_toffee_pudding_25161

I wouldn't bother too much, is any of the cake edible, can it be cut into small squares with cream, ice cream, brandy butter or custard. Can you do a cheeseboard or fresh fruit with honey and nut Greek yoghourt.are you serving mince pies. I'm sure there will be plenty of puddings in the shops.

Have you got bits to make a crumble? Or a pavlova?

I can knock up a crumble with my eyes shut TBF perhaps I should just do that...

Was just seeing if I had enough chocolate to do brownies. I've never made them before though.

I've got things like chocolate chips and marshmallows... Does rocky road need crunchy biscuit things too?

Is the cake unsalvageable? If you ice it you can trim the top so it's flat and then cover in icing. Of you could do Eton mess? Make some small meringues, whip some cream and add fruit. You can make a fruit coulis easily by whizzing some of the fruit up with some icing sugar. Mix it all up and Bob's your uncle.

Carrot cake using the cheescake for the frosting?

Special chirstmas trifle with the apple cake?

pear and ginger crumble with ginger in the crumble mix is lovely and christmassy.

They're both edible just presentation not what I'd hoped..! I've got a load of semi liquid cheesecake mix left over, it's soft cheese, sugar and egg. I made a second batch as it seemed too liquid but it's better now it's been in the fridge. Wondering about putting some lemon or lime in to make a second one...

The apple cake has apple slices and sugar on the top so reluctant to lop it off. Who knows what happened to the sides!

You could add biscuits but you don’t have too. It’s probably the least hassle. You could make little piles or use a cookie cutter as a guide for size. Or assemble them in a cupcake case and then leave to set.

I thought this would be nice, tunes on, kids helping, but it's been stressful!!! I'm very out of practice at puddings!

Serve it as it is, a wonky dessert made with love is still delicious!

Do you have a jar of Nutella? These are amazing, you could go fancy and serve in a stack drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with berries, M&Ms or whatever you have in the cupboard. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/nutella-brownies/

I think I can do these! Thanks so much

Could you freeze the cheesecake mix and make it into ice cream?

cut the cake into squares and make a tower with them? Drizzle melted chocolate down it?

As PP suggested:

Brownies are simple, popular and the amount can be easily increased without having to worry about the structural integrity of whatever you’re baking…

I will always recommend Katherine Hepburn’s recipe, just don’t stir the batter more than absolutely necessary. No matter what the recipe says!), homemade chocolate syrup (you only need water, cocoa powder and sugar) and vanilla ice cream is a classic combo.

The ingredients for mousse au chocolat with homemade meringue are fairly “basic” as well.

Tiramisu (I usually make raspberry tiramisu) is a crowd pleaser ime. Easily prepared in advance and a good option for non-chocolate lovers (and a non-alcoholic and caffeine-free option as well).

Hope you love them, they are the best brownie recipe I’ve ever tried and completely addictive.

That's a thought!