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Original poster

What dessert would you do for THIRTY people??

95 replies

ianshe · 06/12/2023 23:39

Xmas eve bash, MiL is doing dinner for us all and somehow I've been roped into bringing the dessert. Argh!
14 adults, 16 kids ranging from 6months - 15yrs

Can I have some ideas?

I'm leaning towards two (or three??) big pavlovas. One mixed berry and one mango/pineapple ?

Maybe a big chocolate tiffin no bake tray bake also.

Doesn't have to be particularly christmassy, but I'd make the pavlovas into wreaths and throw some edible glitter on it. And maybe some holly sprigs stuck in the tiffin 😆

OP posts:
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Fedupbeingworriedallthegoddamntime · 06/12/2023 23:40

I would make an apple and apricot crumble served hot with a premium vanilla ice cream.

IGotItFromAgnes · 06/12/2023 23:42

Isn’t this what trifle was designed for?

I’d do a trifle and some kind of jelly with fruit in if anyone doesn’t want cream / custard,

mdinbc · 06/12/2023 23:45

I like your idea. If you try to make cakes it can get very expensive. Is it on a self serve buffet, or will you be slicing and serving?

A couple of different trifles can work as well. It seems everyone likes them. I made an orange and cranberry one years ago that was a hit. Maybe make one non-alcoholic.

Getoverit1965 · 06/12/2023 23:46

Barbados cream, the easiest thing to make and it's delicious. Add sliced bananas.

tenmorebites.com/2014/10/06/barbados-cream/

frenchfancy81 · 06/12/2023 23:48

I would be hot-footing it to Waitrose and buying a chocolate log and single cream, two different cheesecakes and some extra fruit eg raspberries, vanilla ice-cream and one more pudding like apple pie and custard! 😁

CyberCritical · 06/12/2023 23:51

Pavlova and tiffin sounds fab, get some of those mini Malteser reindeers or mini gingerbread men biscuits so there's one on top of each tiffin slice and it's xmas tiffin.

Original poster
ianshe · 06/12/2023 23:52

It'll be buffet style I believe

I'm really not a fan of trifles (apart from a baileys trifle made with Cadbury mini rolls!) but it's an alcohol free house too 🥲

OP posts:
Flamango · 06/12/2023 23:52

I’d do a chocolate mousse with some bought shortbread and raspberries
Or an amazing chopped fruit salad - my MIL makes a really fab first salad, having passion fruit in it seems to be the secret ingredient!
Or I would do a tiramisu
Or cheeseboard

LuubyLuu · 06/12/2023 23:53
  1. Pavlova
  2. Chocolate Yule log
  3. Cheesecake

I make a pavlova for the masses every year in a wreath shape - very Christmassy (but make sure you have a big enough serving platter)

Another thing I do alongside the pavilions is make a load of individual small meringues - put them in a big bowl lined up alongside strawberries, choc sauce, ice cream & sprinkles. This is a great one for kids to make their own pudding.

Original poster
ianshe · 06/12/2023 23:53

Maltese reindeers are a great idea!
Same for fruit salad, I'll just prep a big bowl

Shame it's a booze free house because I make THE BEST tiramisu!

OP posts:
Original poster
ianshe · 06/12/2023 23:54

LuubyLuu · 06/12/2023 23:53

  1. Pavlova
  2. Chocolate Yule log
  3. Cheesecake

I make a pavlova for the masses every year in a wreath shape - very Christmassy (but make sure you have a big enough serving platter)

Another thing I do alongside the pavilions is make a load of individual small meringues - put them in a big bowl lined up alongside strawberries, choc sauce, ice cream & sprinkles. This is a great one for kids to make their own pudding.

A great idea for the minis. Thank you

OP posts:
Xmasbaby11 · 06/12/2023 23:57

i like your ideas. One fruit one chocolate.

instead of pavlova it could be mini meringues with separate fruit and cream. Better for self serve. I worry about pavlova getting soggy and leftovers being inedible.

Tiffin or rocky Road is easy to make festive with choc reindeers as pp suggested. Xmas sprinkles , broken up candy cane on top, anything seasonal. Or chocolate orange!

RoseMartha · 06/12/2023 23:58

You could go for a choice of three.
Trifle
Eton mess
Fruit salad with or without cream

TwinklingLightsEverywhere · 07/12/2023 00:01

Pavlova sounds lovely

Personally I'd do or buy profiteroles. So easy to manage portions for varying appetites, can be eaten with fingers by the tiny ones. Could be served with ice-cream.

clary · 07/12/2023 00:15

Here's what I would do

Big batch of Nigella brownies - dust with icing sugar for snowdrift effect; serve with nice vanilla ice cream

Big (and I mean giant) trifle - Nigella (again!) has an ace chocolate one but with the brownies, a fruit one is probs better. But this could serve 15 people if you have a big enough bowl. Or two bowls.

I would maybe do one more thing - maybe mince pies? or else apple crumble - easy, make it ahead and everyone loves it. Serve with ice cream.

I think two pavlovas is risky as what if someone is not a fan of meringue?

Oh I see you are not a trifle fan - cheesecake maybe? Make it ahead and it is yummy. Or yy the pavlova then. I guess I have never mastered the meringue so hence I am looking for something easier.

Zippedydoodahday · 07/12/2023 00:20

I wouldn't do two different pavlovas as that isn't much variety. I think I'd do a pavlova, a banoffe pie and a chocolate fudge cake.

Fairylightfurore · 07/12/2023 07:40

Brownies or other traybake

whatisforteamum · 07/12/2023 07:47

Cheesecake
Fruit salad
Brownie

horseymum · 07/12/2023 07:50

Sticky toffee pudding - make in a big tray, warm through in oven after main course is out. Fruit salad.

Schoolrunmumbun · 07/12/2023 07:53

Minimum effort from me- Eton mess. Just as nice as pavlova but easier and no worries if you drop stuff in transit or anything.

Smash up loads of bought meringues in a big bowl. Mix loads of berries and whipped cream in another big bowl. Dollop of each for each person. Always goes down well.

RosesAndHellebores · 07/12/2023 07:55

Chocolate mousse
Or
Open apple flan
And
Luxury fruit salad

Strawberries, vanilla ice cream and Cadbury flakes for the minis

Sgtmajormummy · 07/12/2023 08:05

I think a generously sized Chocolate Log is a great idea for Christmas Eve and it visually ties in with your Pavlova Wreath.

One question: what are you going to do with all your leftover yolks?
Those pasteurized bottles of egg white have always fascinated me but I’ve never needed that much…
(I like Lemon meringue pie because it uses both parts of the egg equally.)

Mindymomo · 07/12/2023 08:14

We have a NYE party every year, I do different desserts, but profiteroles always go down well. I don’t make them but buy a big pack from M&S. cheesecakes never go down well here, although I love them, but I also do a large trifle that the older members like.

ruthieness · 07/12/2023 08:15

A different idea but I would do a selection of ice creams and lollies on sticks - no waste no prep no washing up and kids love to choose!

NancyJoan · 07/12/2023 08:17

I tend to do 1 chocolate, 1 lemon, 1 creamy (I hate cream, so would prefer not too, but some many people love it.

brownies w ice cream
pavlova
lemon tart w berries