Please Help! Need an impressive make-ahead dessert for in-laws!

[DeedlessIndeed]

Hi all,

Please can I pick your brains!? We are hosting my PIL next week for 5 days. DP is cooking, booking and arranging everything apart from the dessert course on Friday night.

Main course will be Duck.

I need ideas/recipes for a dessert that can be made ahead of time either the day before or that morning/afternoon. Ideally something that isn't too chocolately or cream heavy.

Extra points for something with a bit of wow factor!

Thanks for your help! :)

Key lime pie is my favourite zingy pudding. Nigella’s recipe is excellent.

Chocolate mouse served as the French do in a big bowl which everyone serves themselves from. Maybe a sharing platter of fruit on the side (easy to prep ahead).

I can't eat much cream either, so I do pavlova with greek yogurt instead, sometimes with lemon curd stirred in.

@TheSpottedZebra
I agree. Summer pudding, Delia's recipe is the food of the gods. Serve with extra thick cream and Greek yogurt for MIL. It's designed to be made in advance and sit in the fridge.

How about a pudding platter with mini home made meringue, fresh fruit, home made chocolate mini brownies, shortbread biscuits some dipped in white chocolate/ some milk and then cream on the side of MIL isn't a huge fan

Lemon Meringue Pie

How about a vegan chocolate mousse that uses avocado as a base, rather than cream. Serve with lovely crisp little biscuit thins. I think Nigella had a mousse like this on her website.

I’d do a flourless orange and almond cake - always very forgiving and can be made in advance. Serve with cream and Greek yoghurt

oops missed your "not too chocolatey" request. Sorry!

Can I suggest this for a hot pud? It's absolutely divine.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jun/25/nigel-slater-cherry-cake-recipe

I mean the cake. But the pie looks fab too.

Sorry! I missed the chocolate bit too!

I'd also go with something citrusy. Lemon tart or key lime pie. Patisserie Valerie is now in Sainsburys so you might find something to pass off as your own.

You could also make your

Ffs, pressed send.
You could make your own ice cream. If she likes booze I've seen some really nice gin and tonic recipes that are really easy. I think Nigella did one if you can find it.

You can serve pavlova with only a smear of cream. I do that for DD as she doesn’t like cream. I do raspberries and nectarines drizzled with a raspberry coulis.

I would make a pecan pie and serve with cinnamon ice cream (I use the Nigella no churn recipe for bitter orange ice cream but replace with orange with cinnamon).

. Saving this thread for tomorrow as these look great!