“Sugar
and spice” is quite nice this time of
year. With a sugar rush right around the
corner, tempting fall desserts and the unofficial start of hostess season is on
the brain. You may not load up door-to-door,
but there are plenty of sweet treats to be served up right at home.
If
you are planning a little get together, the simple theme of “just desserts” is
a rather tasty one to carry out. Bake up
several batches of the cookie or cookies of your choice, and let the kids
decorate with icing, sprinkles, and candy.
It’s an activity and dessert in one.
The same goes for dipping mini Granny Smith apples in melted caramel or
chocolate and then rolling them in cookie crumbs, crushed nuts, or
sprinkles. Smaller apples provide the
best apple-to-coating ratio, in my opinion.
For a twist on the traditional stick in each apple, stake a sturdy piece
of Mesquite
Other
individual desserts that are fun to whip up are cupcakes that you ice and
decorate to match your theme, along with contemporary cake pops on a
stick. Whether you make each look like a
pumpkin, give it a face, or add your own creative flair, you end up with a
perfect portion that was as fun to make as it is to devour. For a salty mix-in for your menu, make paper
funnels and fill with popcorn, assorted nuts, or dipped pretzel sticks. Put together a few of these selections, and
you have created a spread fit for an after-dinner party for a few friends or
just for the family.
To
round out your array of desserts, serve simple bottled sodas over ice. Put that ice in a large, cutout pumpkin you
turn into a custom ice bucket with a little carving know-how. Fill small bowls or glass candle holders with
candy corn or other small pieces of candy, and scatter them among your trays
and plates of other goodies.
This
is just the beginning of a season that caters to the food lovers in all of
us. Start with the sweets as you
anticipate the savory dishes that are just weeks from greeting our dining
tables!
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 28th.
