My widows’ group is taking dinner to a shelter for women and children. We will eat with them, so in total there are going to be about 16 adults and 8 kids. I volunteered to make the dessert. They live at the shelter for up to several months at a time, so we will be eating in a dining room.
The problem is that I can’t decide what to make and thought I would turn to you for advice. I usually cook for people whose preferences/allergies I know, and what is freaking me out is the thought of making something that virtually anyone (or at least most people) will like. Mine will be the only dessert, although I suppose I could make two different things.
I’d make two desserts. Like one pie with some optional ice or whipped cream. And then something that is gluten free. That should cover your bases for food allergies because you’ll have two options.
Good, rich brownies would be a great idea, since leftovers can be easily transported by people. Or something fun/unique that you really like that has an easy recipe that you can share. Most of the DV clinics that I work with have on-site kitchens, so an additional donation of ingredients would be great.
As someone who is gluten-free, might I suggest the Betty Crocker gluten-free brownies? They are so good, no one knows they are flourless. Here’s my 2 suggestions when baking them, however:
1.) add an extra egg.
2.) let it cool on the counter for an hour, then cool it for an hour in the freezer, then cut it. Once it’s cut, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge or on the counter.
(I don’t know why, but it works really well and keeps the brownies moist and yummy for a long time. )
If you want to endear the children to you forever, a make-your-own sundae bar is ideal.
Bread pudding is very simple to make, and because almost no-one makes it anymore, interesting. This recipeuses way more sugar than mine does, but it still looks ok.
I’m not sure how I would handle the possible allergies issue, but as far as preferences go I would make two or maybe even 3 desserts: one fruity, one chocolate-y, and if doing a third then something else as well.
To feed a crowd at pot-lucks and the like I have had a lot of success with “Cherry Delight” I am not sure if that’s what others call it because all the recipes I am finding online involve a graham cracker crust or crushed graham crackers and that is not at all what I do. Basically it is glop- and easy to make in vast quantities, rich enough that it is satisfying while being hard to over-indulge and still “light” in texture so it is easy to eat (a few bites at least) even immediately after a large meal. And it is so easy: One can of sweetened condensed milk, one can of cherry pie filling, one can of crushed pineapple (drained) and one small container of Cool-Whip all mixed together- then stir in a bit of coconut and/or chopped pecans (optional- I like both coconut and pecans but others don’t and it’s easy to leave out and still tastes yummy).
Cobblers are also easy to make in quantity and flavors like peach, cherry, blueberry etc. are usually well-liked by most children (this is a moot suggestion if there are allergies or gluten intolerance obviously).
As mentioned above, brownies are an excellent option as are chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake (or any flavor of cake I suppose- made as a large sheet cake would be ideal).
And there is always the stand-by of ice cream that can be made or purchased in a variety of flavors and options- you could also provide sherbet, frozen yogurt or custard, “Italian ice” or gelato just to cover all your bases.
Now that I think about it, just call up the organization and ask, “Hey - is there any specific dessert someone lately has said, ‘gosh, it’s been forever since I had a great homemade <blank>’?”. Or ask if there’s something the kitchen has a hard time putting out (homemade pie, cake, etc.) that people ask for.
I would have some sort of fruit (cut up pineapple and melons), and a baked good. This way, the egg/wheat/dairy averse have an unobtrusive option, and you don’t make yourself crazy preparing many different kinds of desserts.
Rice Krispy treats. Eay to make, everyone likes them, no gluten problems ( do you actually know if anyone has an allergy, or are you just stressing? I think the shelter would have told your group if they needed gluten-free)
I say sheet cake, too. A lot of people haven’t had homemade cake in ages. It’s a real treat after supermarket bakery day-old discards, which is what the shelters will occasionally get. Even better with homemade frosting, instead of the crap in the cans. Bread pudding is also a real treat. Cake has the advantage of not needing refrigeration.
You can use gluten free flour and oats for the crumble topping.
It is cheap, almost no-one is allergic to apples and if you make it in big lasagna trays it will feed a lot of people.
