SPECTACULAR DESSERTS CHRISTMAS PARTY

From my journal pages, a table of Christmas candies.
Nougats and candy canes arranged in pottery. Gianduia, chocolate covered cherries, Baci, chocolate covered hazelnuts.

When I think of Christmas desserts, I think of the Nutcracker and the dance of the sugar-plum fairies. A wonderful idea for holiday entertaining would be to create your own sugar-plum fairy buffet.

There are just too many yummy and festive desserts, not to have a "Christmas Just Desserts" party. Make cakes and cookies, and confections or enjoy buying desserts and candies from your favorite shops. The whole house looks and smells like dessert. Invite a bunch of friends and family to eat and drink sweets all night long. You may never have another excuse for a party like this!

Here are some thoughts and ideas for your dessert party.

Ideas for desserts and beverages from one of my journal pages.

More ideas:
Inspirations from an ad I created for Dolce Italia; (photo by Robert Freson)

candies, cakes, biscuits and cookies. Gianduia, ( a sweet chocolate made with a paste of hazelnut or almond) nougat,( a soft and chewy confectionery made with sugar, honey, roasted nuts, whipped egg whites, and candied fruit. 

 You can find a huge, festive selection of desserts from the Italian dessert company- BINDI bindiusa.com

Two very spectacular sugar-plum desserts and the recipes for them below. They are very easy since the ingredients are store/bakery prepared.

A merinue shell filled with scoops of pistachio ice-cream.
recipe and photo from House Beautiful magazine.

Coconut Cream Angel Food Cake with Sugar-Glazed Grapes.
recipe and photo from House Beautiful magazine.

Recipes: adapted from House Beautiful magazine.

Meringue Shell with Pistachio Ice Cream:

Serves 8

1 quart pistachio ice cream or raspberry sorbet

1 -8-inch meringue shell, available from bakeries

Tip: A few hours ahead, scoop balls of ice cream or sorbet and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Put in freezer.

When ready to serve, have your meringue shell ready on a pretty serving plate. Fill the center with the prepared scoops of ice cream or sorbet.

Coconut Cream Angel Food Cake with Sugar-Glazed Grapes:

Serves 8 to 10

1- 8- or 9-inch angel food cake, available at bakeries and supermarkets

2 cups heavy cream, whipped

1 ½  cups shredded coconut

Place the cake on a pretty serving dish or cake stand. Fill the hole in the cake with  whipped cream. Spread the remaining cream over the entire cake. Cover with coconut. Place the glazed grapes (recipe below) in the center.

Tip: You can use canned whipped cream.

Sugar-Glazed Grapes:

Clusters of large seedless green grapes

1 egg white, beaten stiff

superfine sugar

Dip the grape clusters in the egg white. Place on parchment paper and sprinkle with the sugar. Set aside to dry, about 10 minutes.

 Hope you enjoy!!!

As Always, xxoo
Sheila