Available in our store bakeries: Almond Orange Upside-Down Cake
La dolce vita for me is sharing good eats with friends. Over the years I’ve found that a dessert party is one of the most delightful, least stressful and utterly scrumptious ways to celebrate the season. Here’s my advice for a deliciously easy dessert buffet.
Buy Some
With a few tasty time savers from Whole Foods Market®, you’ll be party ready in no time. Here are a few of my favorite effortless sweets this season. Like all the food we sell, these are made without artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.
Theatre Cake. Get layer-on-layer of heavenly flavor with these European-inspired, gorgeous dacquoise cakes. Choose from Berry Marscapone (rich almond and citrus cake with mascarpone and fresh berries), Salted Caramel Crisp (a decadent dark chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, salted caramel and caramelized crisp) or Gianduja Cream (a toasted hazelnut cake with chocolate hazelnut cream and praline crunch).
Almond Orange Upside-Down Cake. Seasonal oranges, Greek yogurt and extra-virgin olive oil made this delightfully different cake the hit of my last gathering.
Cookies. Don’t forget to feed those cookie monsters! Look for the petite packages of our Bake Shop Cookie Squares in the bakery department; choose from Brown Sugar Brunette, Minty Chocolate Brownie, Dreamy Peanut Bar, or Creamy Caramel Coconut. Or reach for 365 Everyday Value® Holiday Cookies in Chocolate Candy Cane Sandwich Cremes, Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Sandwich Cremes, Shortbread or Gingerbread.
365 Everyday Value® Drizzle Popcorn. Dark Chocolate Crunch Popcorn is my favorite. No, Milk Chocolate and Toffee is my favorite. Alright, I suggest buying both.
Whole Foods Market™ Organic Truffles. Rich and creamy, these truffles are made from a family recipe by one of France’s leading chocolatiers.
365 Everyday Value® Ice Cream. Egg Nog, Pumpkin and Dark Chocolate Peppermint; Try our once-a-year flavors at an everyday price. They’re the perfect partner for a slice of pie, cake or cookie.
Make Some
For me, the holidays are not complete without my mom’s sweet tart cranapple pie, so I always make one when I’m hosting. Don’t have a go-to dessert? Browse our favorite holiday dessert recipes opens in a new tab and get inspired (and hungry).
Touch of Homemade
Although you have my permission not to bake anything, sometimes a tad of effort is just the thing to make a primarily store-bought dessert buffet uniquely yours. Here’s how:
Dress up whipped cream with cinnamon.
Add elegance to inexpensive sparkling wines or sparkling cider with raspberries, pomegranate seeds or a few frozen grapes in the glass.
Sweet, spicy slightly salty nuts opens in a new tab make a tasty garnish for a store-bought dessert.
Simple additions like fresh grated nutmeg or a generous splash of booze can make store-bought eggnog opens in a new tab memorable.
The Littles
Keep the kids busy and happy making ice cream sandwiches or decorating cupcakes or cookies. I leave out small bowls of icing and toppings (crushed candy canes, sprinkles, mini baking chips and mini marshmallows) and let ‘em at it.
Picture Perfect
I may not make all the desserts on the table, but I do make an effort to dress up the buffet table. Here are some suggestions:
Arrange cookies, bars and cakes on cake stands and platters at various heights.
Display truffles in goblets.
Pour shot glasses of egg nog; place a cookie on top.
Task your kids with decorating kraft paper for a homemade tablecloth.
Set out bowls of Christmas candies and seasonal citrus for pops of color.
Oh, and be sure to leave out little boxes lined with wax paper. At the end of the party, guests can load themselves up with leftovers.
Theatre Cake Three-Day Sale
Your dessert party just got even easier! During December 13th - 15th, a Theatre Cake from our bakery department is just $14.99 in our continental US and Canada stores. Earn oohs and aahs with a Berry Marscapone, Salted Caramel Crisp or Gianduja Cream multi-layered cake.
Sorry this sale is not valid in our UK or Hawaii stores. Availability and limits may vary by region, so please contact your store for details opens in a new tab. While supplies last. Most of our stores do not provide rain checks for sales like this.
How do you show off at dessert time, effortlessly? Share your recommendations below.
From carving with confidence to pouring with pride, our online Holiday Cheat Sheet opens in a new tab means more of your best for less stress. Order holiday meals online opens in a new tab too; we'll do the work, you'll take the credit.
