I received a text yesterday from my amazing, and sadly, soon to be moving neighbor Ella, who also just happens to be the lovely woman behind Start Close In Styling. She was writing to request a few ideas for a crowd friendly delicious dessert. After a few questions, I discovered that she would need a dessert that would feed approximately ten people, including children, and that the dessert is able to travel well in a car for at least an hour. Well Ella, here are a few recipes that I would suggest for such an occasion.
Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies from The Crepes of Wrath
You can leave these brownies in the pan until you arrive at your party destination. The parchment paper kind of makes them look like they have something funky going on. They have that shabby chic thing working for them. You can also bring along the powdered sugar and sprinkle it on right after you cut them, so that they look nice and fresh before serving. Plus, who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate?
Key Lime Cookies from Dessert Now, Dinner Later
Citrus screams summer, just like these cookies. I mean seriously, could you imagine eating one of these at Christmas time? Nope, I just don’t think it would work. With these cookies you won’t have to worry about chocolate melting, or sprucing them up before serving. All you’ll have to do is make sure the icing completely hardens, before packing them up for travel.
No Bake S’mores Bars from Chocolate & Carrots
HELLO! Who wouldn’t want to eat one of these cuties? Added bonus, no baking. You can whip them up at the last-minute, because I’m sure you have so many other things that NEED to be done; like packing, house hunting, house selling, and generally causing all of your neighbors to be saddened by your fast approaching move away from Herndon. If you do make these, make sure to tuck them away in the car, somewhere out of direct sunlight. I don’t think an hour in the car will lead to too much melting, but better safe than sorry.
Tropical Cherry Coconut Shortbread from Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck
Alright, alright, this is one of mine, but these little babies were sooooo good, and they are absolutely perfect for summer. Use whatever jam or preserves you like to make them your own. The store-bought Toasted Coconut Chips that I used to top the cookies with are super addictive too. Hopefully you can still find them at Safeway, where I purchased them. Also, please make sure to place wax paper between each layer of the cookies when packaging them, so that they arrive looking as pretty as when they came out of the oven.
Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies from Martha Stewart
Once again, you can’t go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate in the same dessert. I know how much you love to make a package look pretty, so just imagine what you could do with these little guys. I’m thinking they would look lovely wrapped in parchment paper or brown paper, and then tied with string, ribbon, or even scraps of fabric. What do you think?
Ella, I hope that one of these desserts will appeal to you, and will find its way into your car, traveling somewhere fun, where they will be completely fawned over, just before being completely devoured enthusiastically. Let me know what you choose, and hopefully you can remember to Instagram a few photos of the winning dessert.
