Easy summer desserts for dinner party

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
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OP here -
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I think I’m going to try the Atlantic Pie for this event, and also get a Tuxedo cake from Costco, just in case.

Question - If I make real whipped cream, will it travel and stay OK for a couple of hours, or should I go with a can?

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Pass the sauternes, porto, and Alsatian riesling around with some nice cheese, grapes, and figs.

How simple and fantastic is that?

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I haven’t tried to transport real whipped cream - it might travel ok if you keep it REALLY cold.

But I think a can is fine unless the people you are serving are too fru-fru for a can. :wink: I would just dress the pie just before you eat it (if you’re sure that all the pie will be eaten) or just leave the pie naked and the can to the side for people to add to their portion.

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I can not imagine a decent key lime pie with a saltine crust. Graham cracker crust is the only option!

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Well over 2600 generally positive reviews can’t be all wrong! You get the crunch and the saltiness. More than one type of crust can be delicious. :slight_smile: It’s not claiming to be key lime anyway…it’s Atlantic Beach.

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Must be a northern Atlantic Beach.

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Atlantic Beach = Salt water = saltines.

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Midwest classic. Dump cake. Easiest thing ever. It’s not fancy, but I made it for my New England neighbors for a 4th of July party and they went crazy over it. They had never seen it before. I don’t think I was ever at a Northern IL potluck without a dump cake.

Grease a 9x13 pan (I always use Pyrex). Dump in a two 15 oz cans of pie filling. You can get creative and mix flavors and you can also use canned fruit in heavy syrup (do not drain) or a combo of both. ( Don’t worry if you’re combo doesn’t come out to 30 oz. This is a very forgiving recipe). Sprinkle 1 box of white cake mix over the top. DO NOT MIX! Top with 1 stick of butter (Just slice thinly and distribute evenly over the top). Bake at 350 for 45 min. I’ve also seen it made in a crock pot.

It’s usually topped with Cool Whip.

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Real whipped cream does not travel well. Ask me how I know :wink:Unfortunately it’s cool whip or make it on site.

I make this dessert for a potluck. It’s very midwestern
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/vanilla-cream-puff-dessert/

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My go to in the summer is a fruit crisp. Although this is a strawberry blueberry recipe I do the same for all in season fruits. Family favorite is 2 berry - blueberry and raspberry- so I double the recipe and use a 13 in Pyrex. Strawberry Blueberry Crisp (Fresh or Frozen Berries!) - Num's the Word

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I think I made that North Carolina lemon pie with saltine crackers, maybe similar to Atlantic pie, it’s real easy. I made in the winter, maybe Thanksgiving time because I had lots of saltine crackers leftover. The recipe is from America Test Kitchen. I had lots of lemons in the winter.

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OK - I guess it will be a “game day decision” on Saturday. I’ll get the ingredients for Atlantic pie AND key lime pie, and decide then. If I do Key lime maybe I’ll try a new recipe for it.

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I know the OP already made a decision about what dessert she is bringing, but figured I’d share this recipe, Strawberry Frangelico Tart with Nutella, for anyone who might also read this thread looking for ideas. This has been a favorite dessert in our house when ripe strawberries are easy to come by in the summer. With mascarpone in the whipped cream layer, the cream layer stays “firm” for lack of a better description.

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This cake is a favorite for those occasions when I don’t have any time for elaborate desserts and is very easy to make! The ingredients are simple and are usually on hand. :slight_smile:

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I will be trying this in the fall. Seems to heavy for the summer.
We are having steak for dinner, so looking for something fairly light.

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Graham cracker crust is a must. If you want to make it even better make a brown butter graham cracker crust.

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This is my valuable contribution:

Graham Cracker Pudding Pie

  • Make some pudding – your favorite kind. Stick it into the fridge.
  • Crunch up a bunch of graham crackers, or buy the pre-made graham cracker stuff.
  • In a bowl add some melted butter to the graham crackers and layer the bottom and sides of a pie pan with the buttery mixture
  • Bake that at 350 for maybe, oh, ten minutes.
  • Let the pie crust cool for a bit
  • Put the pudding into the graham-lined pie pan.
  • Squirt a bunch of Reddi Whip or put your own whipped cream on top of the pudding.
  • Drizzle some hot fudge, chocolate sauce, fruit sauce, or caramel over the top of the whipped cream.
  • Slice and serve.
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Talking about mascarpone cheese, I just made this clafoutis this afternoon with mascarpone instead of whipped cream, my husband who doesn’t like figs at all, but he said it was decadent, it went well with a tea, pretty easy to make too.

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Natasha calls this cake the “ultimate summer cake.” Looks fantastic. Although I personally have not tried this cake, the 90 reviews can’t be wrong! :slight_smile:

(I’m actively researching recipes using limes. Have a 5 lb bag in the fridge left over from the wedding! :laughing:)

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