[Becca]

On Friday it's my work summer party - it's one of those "everybody make something" things. I'm down to make a cake/dessert.

I really don't know what to make, but my criteria are:

• Will go down well with a crowd
• Simple/not time consuming
• Relatively easy to transport
• Summery, if possible

Will greatly appreciate all suggestions

[Elwyn]

Classic victoria sponge maybe? I'd avoid anything with chocolate, not sure if it's just me but chocolate is the last thing I want in the hot weather.
If you're after something a little more interesting perhaps carrot cake, that always goes down well.

[journalismus]

Sounds obvious, but everybody loves cupcakes!

To make a large amount, the best method is to go to Tesco and buy a couple of packets of their "Everyday Value" cake mix - you only need to add an egg and water for each pack. Make them, ice them and you're ready to go! Plus they're fun to make, and cheap.

Or you could make Eton Mess (google it) basically strawberries, cream and meringue all mixed together. It can look quite good and tastes yummy!

[heyAmy]

Something fruity like a lemon meringue pie?
Or brownies?

[Viennaberry]

http://www.handletheheat.com/2012/04/banana-bread.html

http://megannskitchen.blogspot.co.uk...on-divine.html

http://en.christinesrecipes.com/2009...rs-recipe.html

All simple & impressive!

[sammy-lou]

macaroons are fairly easy to make and they can look so pretty - would look lovely for a summer party!




don't know how easy this recipe is, but I've got the Mary Berry cookbook at home and she's got some lovely moijto macaroons in there!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/...macaroons.html

[ihaveyourcat]

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1...esecake-frosti

This recipe for a blueberry cake is brilliant. I make it every year in summer time and it always goes down really well! You could always use different berries if you prefer

[Harley]

That looks really nice, I might actually make that tomorrow!

[Da CorrupteD KiD]

Something fruity and/or chilled, also how much work are you prepared to put into making this? A strawberry tart if you're adventurous, basically a sweet pastry case filled with any type of pastry cream topped with refreshing strawberries, this can be served chilled. Alternatively, profiteroles with whipped cream (or combined with other pastry creams). Again this can be chilled up to serving, plus it's easy to just pick one up and stuff it in the mouth without leaving any crumbs on your guests' suits/dresses.

[GeekyNick]

This coconut and lime cake by Delia is impressive and really summery. It is a little bit of a faff though and coconut milk power can be hard to get hold of (Waitrose might sell it)

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/t...lime-cake.html



A much simpler idea is this lime cheesecake. All you do it make up some jelly, mix in the soft cheese and evaporated milk, pour it over a biscuit base and chill. I like to use ginger nuts sometimes instead of chocolate chip cookies.

http://www.waitrose.com/content/wait...cuit_base.html

[willbee]

SLUTTY BROWNIES



http://www.thelondoner.me/2011/06/slutty-brownies.html

I cannot get over how amazing these are. EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW THE BEAUTY THAT IS THE SLUTTY BROWNIE.

[gemnomnom]

Summer pudding!

[AlmostChicGeek]

(Original post by willbee)
SLUTTY BROWNIES



http://www.thelondoner.me/2011/06/slutty-brownies.html

I cannot get over how amazing these are. EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW THE BEAUTY THAT IS THE SLUTTY BROWNIE.

This!!!!! that is epic man!!!!

[Da CorrupteD KiD]

(Original post by gemnomnom)
Summer pudding!

Hmm...red stain on a white cocktail dress may not be a good idea?

[agoetcherian]

Pavlova is my favourite summer food. Meringue with some cream and strawberries on top. Very summer and pretty darn impressive.

[Sabertooth]

Last time I went to a summer party I made giant chocolate chip cookies, they were so nice and everyone loved them. Bit different to a cake.

[gemnomnom]

(Original post by Da CorrupteD KiD)
Hmm...red stain on a white cocktail dress may not be a good idea?

Wear a napkin

[Becca]

(Original post by Da CorrupteD KiD)
Something fruity and/or chilled, also how much work are you prepared to put into making this? A strawberry tart if you're adventurous, basically a sweet pastry case filled with any type of pastry cream topped with refreshing strawberries, this can be served chilled. Alternatively, profiteroles with whipped cream (or combined with other pastry creams). Again this can be chilled up to serving, plus it's easy to just pick one up and stuff it in the mouth without leaving any crumbs on your guests' suits/dresses.

It's not a posh party or anything, and people will be sitting down to eat.
Basically I have Thursday night to make something, whilst fitting my weightlifting training in there as well.

I should also point out the following constraints:

I don't live in the UK, so a lot of ingredients are not available to me (luckily I have a stockpile of ground almonds and condensed milk)
I can't be bothered to make pastry and you can't really buy it frozen here.

I like the idea of slutty brownies, but I don't think I can get those cake mixes, PLUS I'm kind of opposed to them

Stuff with whipped cream like pavlova will probably be too difficult to transport.

I have also thought of this: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1...hopper-squares but with a rice-krispie base for a textural contrast. Worried it will be too time-consuming though!

[galadriel100]

A plum cake?
I have a recipe on my blog for one. It is a yeast base, topped with plums and streussel! Yes, streussel mmmm I guess you could make it with berries too
http://fruitsaladmixedveg.blogspot.c...plum-cake.html

A cheesecake? You could make a baked one instead of a fridge one, therefore it will transport better.

[sundogs]

Victoria Sponge with fresh strawberries and white chocolate buttercream instead of jam.
Goes down a treat