Two potluck desserts next week? I’m not panicking
I have to bring desserts for two Christmas parties next week – one that I knew about six weeks ago, and one that I found out about 10 minutes ago.
But I’m not panicking. I know those events pop up during the holiday season. You do too. Stock up when prices are cheap for ingredients to set aside in your pantry for appropriate contributions, and you won’t panic when the invites arrive.
The first party is a group of friends who adore my chocolate fudge cake, but because the food shortening chemistry has changed in recent years I can no longer get that icing recipe to work consistently. I offered a Candy Cane cake instead, and that is getting some “ooh, that sounds interesting” responses.
No problem. I have a box of white cake mix and all the appropriate ingredients in my pantry. I even have the peppermint dust already prepped. What’s peppermint dust? It’s crushed-up candy canes!
The other party is an office party. So I just put out the word on another network to my co-workers: tell me if you want Candy Cane cake or pumpkin bread.
I already have a pumpkin bread mix that I set aside for the random potluck request. I’ll need another box of white cake mix if my co-workers want Candy Cane cake instead, but that’s easy to deal with.
What is Candy Cake Cake?
Ooooh … take a look!
Posted: November 30th, 2009 under Holidays.
Comments: 7
Comments
Comment from CC
Time: December 1, 2009, 6:47 am
At work we are having a breakfast in a couple of weeks. I started making muffins and putting them in the freezer. Last week was oatmeal apricot, yesterday pumpkin cranberry. I now have some bananas that are ripe to use up, I will be all set when the time comes.
Comment from Paula Wethington
Time: December 1, 2009, 7:58 am
I love bananas and end up eating them before they are ready for banana bread.
Comment from Paula Wethington
Time: December 1, 2009, 5:15 pm
The verdict from my co-workers: candy cane cake.
I bought a second white cake mix when I was at the grocery today, so I have enough supplies for both cakes.
Comment from Carol M
Time: December 5, 2009, 9:58 pm
Paula, thanks for posting the link for this pretty cake. I treat my co-workers to a home baked treat for the upcoming holidays, and had planned on my rum cake, only to discover tonight that I don’t have one of the ingredients needed in my pantry. I don’t want to go to the store. I have everything to make this pretty cake-perfect!
Comment from Paula Wethington
Time: December 5, 2009, 10:23 pm
Yay for Carol! As it turns out, my friend had to cancel her get-together since she’s not feeling well. The cake I had just made when I got the phone call got put in the freezer and I will thaw it / glaze it / top with candy Monday night for the Tuesday office luncheon.
Comment from Carol M
Time: December 6, 2009, 3:22 pm
Paula, how did you make your peppermint candy cane sprinkles? I had old starlight mints and put them in 2 plastic bags, tried to crush them with a heavy rolling pin. Took alot of effort, not happy with the results. Turned then to my food processor. Finally have a fine dust sprinkle for the cake that’s in the oven.
Carol
Comment from Paula Wethington
Time: December 6, 2009, 5:36 pm
The recipe calls for starlight mints as an option. But I get those big thick straight candy sticks that cost 50 cents or $1 each, depending on the sale price. Break them up in two or three pieces so they fit in a zippy bag. Then place zippy bag on kitchen counter, get out a hammer and whack, whack, whack. They crack up really good.
The zippy bags usually bust open from the sharp edges but enough of the candy stays in the bag that it works. I’ll use about four or five of those sticks each season and they go on the cake, in my Christmas coffee mix, or on top of ice cream.
Write a comment