Difficult choices
By Staff
Suzanne Langcuster
Have you ever been to someone's home for dinner and at the end of the meal they offer you a choice for dessert?
What a hard decision that can be.
We anxiously wait to see what delicious treats the host or hostess has prepared.
If you choose a chocolate dessert you can almost be sure there will be several who choose chocolate. But, these days many guests choose lighter desserts, especially if you have just eaten a large heavy meal.
Having more than one dessert can add to a dinner party. Guests like a choice.
Choice is good, and making more than one dessert does not have to be any trouble. Let's talk about some easy choices.
If you are planning for a large crowd, a Punch Bowl cake serves a group well.
It mixes many flavors including fruits, pudding, cool whip and cake.
For a chocolate treat, fudge cake with a scoop of ice cream on the side is always popular. Both of these recipes are tasty and are easy to prepare.
Cake mixes may be used, which save you time. Always keep them on your shelves.
Another quick and easy pie that everyone loves is Fresh Apple Pie. My recipe is made with grated apples and can be served with a scoop of whip cream or ice cream.
This recipe is included on the page of recipes for this week.
Sometimes, when children come to a dinner, you might want to whip up some cookies.
They like to have something to eat on the run. If you do not have time to make up a batch of cookies, you can purchase some at the deli of your grocery store.
To most children, one tasty cookie is just as good as the next. You may be able to sneak store bought cookies right past them. You could put them on a nice platter as you serve them. It makes them look more presentable and harder to figure out that you didn't spend all day making them.
It takes a little effort to be prepared for guests but the rewards are worth it.
Good fellowship, good food, the spirit of sharing and renewed friendships are just a few of them.
And when you have something that suits their tastes, it makes the visit a memorable occasion.
Suzanne Langcuster is a food columnist for the Franklin County Times
