What dessert would you do for THIRTY people??

[ianshe]

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 😆

Good luck OP! It sounds awesome. Chaotic and memorable.

I agree with @Caspianberg - I don’t think a pavlova is the best idea for this particular event - you need a plate and fork.

Food you can pick up and eat from a napkin would be better.

Even meringues with cream and a strawberry would be easier to eat.

It does sound like it’s going to be a lovely event, hope you all enjoy!

cornetos, magnums and choc ices - no plates, no cutlery. lots of choice, no washing up

You might find not everyone will eat the pudding. I had about 40 guests for my 40th and made two cheesecakes, and a chocolate mousse, and some doughnuts. There was an entire untouched cheesecake left. The chocolate mousse however pretty much had the bowl licked clean...

I'd do

Eton Mess with lemon/mascarpone cream.
A big fruit salad
chocolate brownies
A big plate of puff pastry slices stuffed with strawberries, strawberry jam and cream and dusted with powdered sugar. My cousin makes these as an extra no matter what dessert she serves and people love them.

A few Brownies stacked like an Xmas tree
A baked Oreo cheese cake can feed around 10-15 if a good size
Eaton mess is a good shout as you can just buy pre-made merengue, whipp sound cream and raspberries as a quick option..
I had a similar situation a few years ago Op. Made the brownies 3days before as they keep, then the cheesecake then the Eatonmess I did on the morning

Most of these suggestions can be frozen after too Op so won't go to waste 😏

@ianshe I also have French in laws.

Personally I would not make trifle because I think it plays into the stereotype of weird and unsophisticated British food.

A tiramisu would be easy to serve in the way a trifle is but would most likely go down better with the French.

Fruit salad (bag each of Tesco frozen mango, pineapple and tropical mix with a few grape halves, kiwi whatever)
No bake Baileys cheesecake in muffin cases
Tray of Mary Berry lemon drizzle or brownie stack
If you’re doing trifle do it in a shallow lasagne type dish rather than a deep bowl it will look nice for longer as people dig in.

I would do a big chocolate yule log, a lemon tart or cheesecake, mince pies and a cinnamon apple traybake cake with a streusel topping, serve with cream or custard. For children I love to have a chocolate fountain, feels special and exciting for them!

It's more about the other people though, and trifle is a) popular and b) easy. Can be alcohol free.

I'd do trifle and a chocolate fridge cake.

I’d take mince pies, Yule log, stollen, a big box of lindor etc

I’d have said Eton mess but needs to be freshly assembled at the venue

chocolate fondue pots

lemon posset and shortbread

Massive fruit salad
2 Pavlovas
2 Ambrosias (one lemon and one berry)

Not sure if everyone is familiar with Ambrosia but it's a dead easy dessert made by mixing whipped cream, yogurt, crushed meringue, Marshmellows and fruit

Big tray of chunky chocolate brownies, served with cream.

Are you American? Isn't ambrosia just slop?

A massive jelly.

It depends if you're in a mood to show off or not 😂

I love making little round chocolate cakes, iced on top with icing holly made go look like Christmas puddings. I use a cake pop mould.

I quite like little bites - horribly out of season and naughty but merringues with strawberries on for Santa hats and a bit of icing / cream on top.

Little orange shortbread biscuits or ginger braas - festive shapes! Ooh you can make little biscuit church windows and fill them with crushed boiled sweets and it makes them look like stained glass. So fun and pretty but a bit harsh on your teeth

I'd go Eton mess over pavlova for simplicity. Though I've seen a cool green pistachio pavlova layer upped to look a bit tree esque in a magazine this year.

Another simple one could be a puff pastry and chocolate spread tear and share / Christmas tree shaped thing. Sprinkle with nuts, mascarpone on the side?

What fun!

Um, tell me more about this Baileys and mini roll trifle please 👀

@SausageRoll2020

Very easy

Roughly chopped mini rolls in the bottom with baileys sloshed on top to soak it up.
Next layer is custard (I cheat and buy the finest Madagascan vanilla custard) mixed with melted white choc. Next layer whipped double cream with vanilla. Top with crumbled Cadbury flakes.

Best. Trifle. Ever.

Lemon posset, (bought) shortbread, fresh fruit, tiffin. All typically British. Variety of textures as well as flavours.

Oh wow @ianshe !

I now know what I'm making for our adult Christmas day pudding!

Thank you very muchly, I shall certainly be trying this it sounds both simple and delicious 😋

It looks like you’ve decided but the three tier chocolate pavlova that Nigella does is amazing.

Cakes