The Big Guy took me out on a date last night so I thought this would be a great time to talk about some holiday dessert ideas. Not to scare the pants off ya, but you do know that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, right?
I know we talked about this quite recently, but Pumpkin Pie Creme Brulee is a perfect choice because not only does it taste just like pumpkin pie, but it holds much better in the refrigerator. The big bonus to a busy cook is you can make it a couple of days in advance and brulee the sugar just before serving.
This Pumpkin Charlotte from last year's menu has been getting a lot of hits and for very good reason. Loaded with bourbon soaked lady fingers and a pumpkin mousse made with whipped cream, mascarpone cheese and the requisite pumpkin and spices, it is a light creamy concoction and fitting end to your holiday feast. It's cool to the palate, suitably rich and rather refined, if I may say.
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Pear Pie is about as good as it gets. It holds the best of the harvest season with 3 kinds of apples including Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Rome Beauty as well as a couple of Bosc pears. Topped with a buttery cinnamon caramel kissed with a touch of cognac, it is without question the most incredibly sublime work of pastry art ever to depart our oven and more than worthy of a spot on your holiday table.
Apple Cranberry Raspberry Pie . The raspberries and apples are certainly front and center in this pie and the cranberries create a mysterious flavor that kind of hangs back waiting to tease your palate. You'll have your family clamoring to know what the mystery is but keep 'em in suspense and serve 'em another piece before you spill the beans. Great by itself, it's superlative topped with vanilla ice cream.
If cake is your preference and cheesecake better yet, then this Cranberry Cheesecake is definitely the ultimate. Starting with a dried cranberry and almond flavored shortbread crust, the light and sturdy base provides a perfect foil for the rich creamy utterly delightful cheesecake with a double layer of cranberry compote - one in the middle and the other on top. Add some candied cranberries and you've a winner for sure.
A White Chocolate Carosel Cake is not only beautiful, it's delicious too.Kind of a glorified strawberry shortcake, it has a very finely textured pound cake on the bottom topped with strawberries and a rich creamy white chocolate mousse. The fact that it has to be made in advance and refrigerated overnight makes it a hostess' delight never mind it's pretty much failure proof.
Speaking of wowing your company, these Chocolate Lava Cakes have to be prepped in advance. Full of unsweetened as well as semi sweet chocolate plus cocoa powder along with a touch of espresso which just seems to accentuate the chocolate flavor all that much more, they languish uncooked in your freezer for just the right moment in time. Pop 'em into your oven for exactly 18 minutes and out they come all rich and gooey, with a soft rich chocolate river running all over the plate.
Whatever you decide, whether to go with a traditional family favorite or try something new just remember that Thanksgiving is the time to count your blessings rather than your calories. That of course is my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.
Oh you temptress of fine foods! Each and every one looks so delish!
Posted by: Lea | 11/12/2011 at 07:23 AM
I guess I just wanted to brag that we do actually eat dessert around here from time to time, but in no way is it more important than MEAT at least not according to the gospel of the Big Guy. LOL
Posted by: June | 11/12/2011 at 12:49 PM
June, thank goodness for this post, cause Lord knows I'm not wide enough around the waist. I guess I could learn moderation...hmmm, maybe after the holidays.
I'm really looking forward to making the apple pear caramel pie. My big fat belly thanks you.
Posted by: Tom | Tall Clover Farm | 11/21/2011 at 06:19 AM
Tom - if I can be totally immodest for a moment, that pie is absolutely the BEST! I can't wait to hear your thoughts. By the way you're not alone in the "moderation" department but I'm not thinkin' about it till after the holidays. LOL
Posted by: June | 11/21/2011 at 07:17 AM