Please help

[SirOliversMom]

Last week, my best friend's sister and her husband died in a car crash in BC.

The family all flew out to BC for the funeral. Her family however is here in Ontario. Consequently they brought back some of the ashes and they are having a memorial service for her next Wednesday.

They will be having a reception following the service. As in all funeral receptions (in this neck of the woods anyway) there will be coffee, tea, sandwiches, pickes, veggie trays and DESSERT SQUARES/COOKIES.

My girlfriend just called me and asked me if I could bring/make the dessert trays. I am guessing that I need to make enough for 100 to possibly even 200 people. (It's a very large family). I will need an assortment that won't cost an arm and a leg AND not be too time consuming.

I really need some suggestions :please1:

[red&black]

Right off the top of my head I can't think of something specific to make, but you could try www.allrecipes.com - I use this site a lot and it's very helpful.


Very sorry to hear about the family's loss

[SirOliversMom]

Her sister was only 47. I first met her when she was not yet 18 years old. It is such a shock. Both killed instantly and they left a 17 year old daughter.

I am a good baker, I love desserts and baking has always been my specialty. Usually it would be some decadent stuff but for this I need recipes that make 9X13 inch pans so that I can "build" platters without messing around with a lot of time consuming stuff.

[katiwest]

this site has changed my life.. :) not to be too dramatic.. but they have interesting recipes that are easy. and usually turn out beautiful. Your a great freind and i hope you find some things that work for you.

[smilee1079]

I don't know if this is appropriate because I have not been to many memorials, but this is a simple, easy to make sweet.

Take small pretzels and either hershey kisses, rolos, or those bakers melting pieces. Put one piece of chocolate on each pretzel and put it in the oven just long enough to make the chocolate soft. Take it out and push either a walnut or an M&M. You probably could just make a pretzel sandwich by putting another pretzel on top too.

Store them in the fridge till you need them.

[Teri]

I think this would stack:

Chewy Cheesecake

Bottom Layer:
1 box German Chocolate or yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup nuts (pecan or walnuts)
1 egg

Mix together and press into sprayed 13 x 9 pan.


Second Layer:
1 box confectioners sugar
1 box 8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs


Mix together and pour over top of cake mixture and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes til golden brown on top. May seem like it is not set in middle when you take out of stove. Refrigerate several hours to set.

[toby&avi]

Brownies are a really good option. Just cut small squares and see how many turn out.

Recipe:
pecan pieces or chopped 1 1/2 cups
unsalted butter 14 tablespoons
unsweetened cocoa (or hershey´s) 1/2 cup
sugar 1 cup
eggs 3 large ones
vanilla extract 2 teaspoons
flour 1/2 cup

Melt the butter; whisk in cocoa, sugar and eggs. Add vanilla and flour. Make sure it´s well incorporated. Then finally the nuts. Scrape batter into square greased pan and bake 30 to 40 minutes at 325°. It´s ready when a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.

Another thing you can do is buy some plain cookies and melt chocolate, then drizzle it over them. This gives them a homemade look and is pretty quick.
Good luck and really sorry for your loss.

[nmgirl98]

Easy schmeasy recipe -

Obviously this is just for one pie

1/2 C lemon juice
1 1/4C sugar
3 eggs

put those 3 ingredients into a blender and blend on low until mixed. Any higher speed will bring in too much air

add in 4 T melter butter and blend for 30 seconds

Pour into a pre-cooked pie crust and bake at 350 for about 30/35 minutes.

****
I completely agree with going with brownies as well - quick, easy and simple to make different variations - nuts, no nuts, peanut butter drizzle (melt PB chips), chocolate drizzled, mint chip drizzled....

My thoughts and prayers to you and the family

[Nathan'smom]

I found a website www.recipes-for-friends.com and it looks like they have a section called "dessert bars". Hope this can help you. Sorry to hear about your friends' loss - youre a good friend to help out like this:angel:

[Nathan'smom]

Ooops its www.recipes-from-friends.com

[DixieDoodle]

How about your favorite cookie recipe? They are easy to grab and they always go well when kids are around also.
Maybe strawberries and dip? Since strawberries are really cheap this time of year it shouldn't be too expensive. That one is simple and EASY.
Dip recipe:
Equal parts of softened cream cheese and marshmallow whip in a jar....and just add a little vanilla.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Strawberrys here in Az are cheap right now. I just melt some choco chips and tip the strawberry in 1/2 way then put on a cookie rack to trip dry. :)You can do it with white and choco chips. You can also do this with orange slices also. I have made bananas like that... and froze the bananas for a treat on a popsicle stick.

[SirOliversMom]

Strawberrys here in Az are cheap right now. I just melt some choco chips and tip the strawberry in 1/2 way then put on a cookie rack to trip dry. :)You can do it with white and choco chips. You can also do this with orange slices also. I have made bananas like that... and froze the bananas for a treat on a popsicle stick.

You guys rock. I am so grateful for these tips.

Up here...the strawberries right now aren't cheap.:D but I could still buy some and dip in chocolate to decorate the platter! I hadn't thought of it. Thanks.

[SirOliversMom]

I don't know if this is appropriate because I have not been to many memorials, but this is a simple, easy to make sweet.

Take small pretzels and either hershey kisses, rolos, or those bakers melting pieces. Put one piece of chocolate on each pretzel and put it in the oven just long enough to make the chocolate soft. Take it out and push either a walnut or an M&M. You probably could just make a pretzel sandwich by putting another pretzel on top too.

Store them in the fridge till you need them.

OMG I love this!! It will look great and help fill in spots on the platters!!! :thanx:

[SirOliversMom]

Easy schmeasy recipe -

Obviously this is just for one pie

1/2 C lemon juice
1 1/4C sugar
3 eggs

put those 3 ingredients into a blender and blend on low until mixed. Any higher speed will bring in too much air

add in 4 T melter butter and blend for 30 seconds

Pour into a pre-cooked pie crust and bake at 350 for about 30/35 minutes.

****
I completely agree with going with brownies as well - quick, easy and simple to make different variations - nuts, no nuts, peanut butter drizzle (melt PB chips), chocolate drizzled, mint chip drizzled....

My thoughts and prayers to you and the family

I like this idea. Why couldn't I make two really big square/cookie trays and 4 or 5 pies..it's a good idea and why not?

[nmgirl98]

Just got a great idea from my dear momma - who's a sharp cookie :0

She said - "tell her to not forget about fruit - get what's in season and use that as either fillers for her platters or do a couple of fruit platters and include toothpicks. It's very easy to do! Some folks might prefer fruit over sweet stuff."

[SirOliversMom]

Just got a great idea from my dear momma - who's a sharp cookie :0

She said - "tell her to not forget about fruit - get what's in season and use that as either fillers for her platters or do a couple of fruit platters and include toothpicks. It's very easy to do! Some folks might prefer fruit over sweet stuff."

Your momma is a smart "cookie"!! I will do that.

[zoeysmom]

I'm sorry to hear about your friends. It's amazing how one moment can change life so completely.

You're a real friend to make the dessert trays for all these people, it's no small undertaking!


Lots of ideas, depends on how many things you want to do....
Carmel Brownies

Dulce de leche may be used for carmels


1 box german chocolate cake mix
14 oz caramels
2/3 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1 cup nuts
6 oz chocolate chips
Alternate (from scratch) recipe
(25 servings)
14 oz Caramels
1/3 cup Evaporated milk
8 oz German sweet chocolate
6 Tbs Butter
4 Eggs
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Flour (sifted)
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Vanilla
6 oz Chocolate chips
1 cup Chopped walnuts



1 Melt caramels in 1/3 cup evaporated milk.
2 Mix together cake mix, with 1/3 cup evaporated milk, 1 cup nuts and the melted butter
3 Spread 1/2 of the mixture in 9 X 13 pan. Spread carmel mixture and top with other 1/2 of the batter.
4 Sprinkle with Chocolate chips
5 Bake 6 minutes @ 350°
6 Cool and cut in squares.
Alternate (from scratch) recipe
1 Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan. Combine caramels and evaporated milk in top of double boiler over low heat. Cover and simmer until caramels are melted, stirring occasionally. Set aside, keeping warm.
2 Combine German sweet chocolate and butter in 2 quart saucepan. Place over low heat stirring occasionally until melted. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
3 Beat eggs until foamy using electric mixer at high speed. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is thick and lemon colored.
4 Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture mixing well. Blend in cooled chocolate mixture and vanilla.
5 Spread half of mixture into prepared baking pan. Bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and spread caramel mixture carefully over baked layer. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
6 Stir 1/2 cup of walnuts into remaining chocolate batter. Spread batter by spoonfuls over the caramel layer. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.
7 Bake for 20 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. Refridgerate before cutting into bars or squares. These brownies are very difficult to cut if not chilled first.

Lemon bars

Date bars

Biscotti

Shortbread

Pecan Pie Bars

Cookie Crust (recipe below)
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups Karo Light or Dark corn syrup
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 Tbs butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups pecan halves or coarsely chopped pecans
Cookie Crust:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup cold butter or margarine (cut into pieces)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Alternative Recipe
This works well also with walnuts! The shortbread crust is light and buttery, make certain to make the crust only on a processor, mixing by hand will produce a harder textured crust, also make certain to pour the topping over the crus
Shortbread Crust
3/4 cup cold butter , cut into small pieces (no subs!)
2 cups flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar , packed
1/2 tsp salt
Filling Or Topping
2 cups coarsley chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
2 Tbs whipping cream (unwhipped)



1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare and bake cookie crust. Meanwhile, in large bowl beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla until well blended.
2 Stir in pecans. Immediately pour over hot crust, spread evenly.
3 Bake 25 minutes or until filling if firm around edges and slightly firm in center. Cool completely. Cut into 2 x 1 1/2 inch bars.
Cookie Crust:
1 Preheat oven to 350.
2 Spray 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3 In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat flour, butter or margarine , sugar and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs; press firmly into prepared pan.
4 Bake 20 – 23 minutes or until golden brown. Top with filling; finish baking as directed above.
Alternative Recipe
1 Set oven to 350 degrees, set oven rack to second-lowest position.
2 Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
3 For the crust: In a processor blend all ingredients until mixture begins to form small clumps.
4 Sprinkle the mixture into prepared baking pan.
5 Lightly press the mixture down with a spatula (do not pat down too much).
6 Bake in the second-lowest oven rack for 20 minutes until golden.
7 Meanwhile prepare the filling/topping: In a heavy saucepan melt butter and stir in brown sugar, honey and whipping cream; simmer mixture for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
8 Stir in chopped pecans.
9 Pour the pecan mixture over hot shortbread crust and spread evenly in the pan.
10 Bake on the second-lowest oven rack for about 20-22 minutes.
11 Cool completely in the pan.
12 *NOTE* these bars will cut better if refrigerated.


Quick breads (bannana nut bread, orange cranberry, or zucchini bread)with softened cream cheese to spread

[skryckman]

If you find that you can't bake everything yourself in time. Being in Ontario I am sure that you have an M&M Meat Shop nearby. They have great desserts that are cut into squares. The price isn't too bad to fill in if you find that you are short on a few things. Also don't forget plain or low in sugar/sugar free things as well, can't forget the diabetic and the people that might just want plain cookies with their coffee or tea.

[SusanF]

Janet, Veggie pizzas work well too..the cold ones are easy to make. Several really good ones online. Also any type of sheet pan cookie bar works for desserts.

[SirOliversMom]

Thank you so much for all of the recipes and ideas. This is really going to help me a lot. :thanx:

[smilee1079]

OMG I love this!! It will look great and help fill in spots on the platters!!! :thanx:

I love them so much I made them for my wedding as an extra snack for the tables while people were dancing :). It is great to make quickly and bring to a friend's house for a gathering, etc. too.

[SirOliversMom]

Ooops its www.recipes-from-friends.com

THANKS Lori! This is a GREAT site and I've already picked out 2 or 3 recipes and I have only checked out squares. I will save this one to my faves for sure.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

I put the link into my fav's. Thanks Lori...

[Nathan'smom]

THANKS Lori! This is a GREAT site and I've already picked out 2 or 3 recipes and I have only checked out squares. I will save this one to my faves for sure.

Im glad it helped you:hearts: How's all the baking going???

[SirOliversMom]

Im glad it helped you:hearts: How's all the baking going???

I went out after work today and bought everything I will need. Phew! So today/tonight I will bake one dish of squares, cut and freeze. I will do that everyday until Monday. Monday I have to finish because I work a lot of hours on Tuesday.

I will try and remember to take a pic of the finished platters.:Sun2: