Dessert for 50-60 people?!
Answers: I was just offered the opportunity to make desserts for an acquaintance's monthly meetings. There will be anywhere from 50 to 60 people each time. They have the food covered, but the lady who provides it does not do desserts. I love baking, and always have rave reviews for pretty much everything I have made. My problem is, I have never made dessert for that many people before. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should or could make for that many people? Thanks in advance for your help.
Go to the library and check out "The Professional Chef" or other culinary tome for chefs and bakers - the recipes do change and flavors must be adjusted or the treats can come out badly. I recommend you get a food scale and a Kitchen Aid stand mixer they will be invaluable to you and make it easier to integrate all the ingredients seamlessly. Cakes, cookies, brownies, fruit tartlets are all excellent for large groups and with the proper recipes can be easily accomplished with great success. I recommend you try the library first as these books can be costly and you don't want to invest until you know you like the book and can follow it's directions. Good Luck!
I would make a sheet cake. Or you could do a cupcake cake. I own a custom cake business and the cupcake cakes are very popular. If you have any questions, feel free to email me :) Good Luck.
find out what kind of desserts they want. I do catering for a lot of business meetings and most of the time people will just order cookies or brownies because it is easy and not messy. There is so many different recipes, play around with some that look good, but not to hard, since you will be making a lot.
I would do a variety of individual desserts like a dessert buffet. Make things that are easy to pick up and not particularly gooey. Suggestions: Cookies, tea cakes, eclairs, cream puffs, tarlets, fresh fruit, etc. Find out what type of things the clients like and if there are any "undesirable" foods or ingredients. Have fun with it and be creative. I'm thinking that the more of a variety you put out, the more options are there for them and they can request their favorites next time around. Good Luck
8 pies (8 pieces per)
bars (7-layer, blondies, brownies, etc.)
cookie platter (3-5 varieties with 2-3 dozen of each type)
sheet cakes (12-15 pieces per)
I used to make desserts for our annual Western Christmas parties (400-750 people)... Lots of cakes & cookies! Most cookies and bundt cakes can be frozen for a few weeks, so you can do some baking throughout the month... I've even frozen cheesecakes! But, here are a few recipes that do feed a larger amount of people (and you can just add some cookie platters with them):
Petite CHERRY CHEESECAKES
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 Tb. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
24 vanilla wafers (from box)
1 can cherry pie filling
Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice & vanilla until light and fluffy. Line muffin pans with paper baking cups and place a vanilla wafer into each. Fill 3/4 full with cream cheese mixture. Bake at 375 for 15-20 min, or until set. Top each with about 1 Tb. pie filling and chill. Makes 24
MISSISSIPPI MUD CAKE
2 sticks butter, melted
4 eggs
1/3 c. cocoa
1-1/2 c. flour
1 c. coconut
1 c. chopped nuts
1 (16oz) jar marshmellow cream
Mix first 6 ingredients together by hand. Bake at 350 in jelly roll pan (16x11") for 20-30 min. While cake is still hot, spread marshmellow cream over the top. Let cake cool completely, then spread with icing:
ICING:
1 stick melted butter
1/3 c. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1 box powdered sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1/3 c. evaporated milk
Mix all ingredients very well and pour over cooled cake. Icing may be thin, but will set as it cools. Cut into squares to serve.
GOOEY BUTTER CAKE
1 package plain yellow cake mix
8 TB. melted butter (1 stick)
1 large egg
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl on low for about 2 min. Pat it out evenly into a large sprayed pan (I use a lasagna pan), smoothing to the edges with your fingers. Set aside and make top layer:
1 package softened cream cheese (8 oz)
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 stick melted utter
3-3/4 c. powdered confectioner's sugar
Mix it all together really well (at least 3 min) and spread on top of the bottom layer. Bake until well browned (center will still jiggle a little) at 350 for about 30-45 min. Cool and cut into squares. Sprinkle with more powdered sugar to serve
(this will keep, covered in foil, at room temp up to 4 days)
think as if it were a bake sale, or you could just buy them