Use your cookie cutters to make a special holiday “shortcake” or ice cream sandwich.
1. For an ice cream “shortcake,” slice regular or chocolate pound cake into 1/2″-3/4″ slices and use large cookie cutters to cut shapes into the cake—use a tree- or star-shaped cutter for Christmas. If the cake isn’t dense, you may have to toast it lightly in order to cut out the shapes—but toasted cake is just as delicious.
2. Top with vanilla, mint or candy cane ice cream, fresh strawberries and mint leaves, drizzled with chocolate sauce if you like. You can place more than one piece of cake on the plate before topping with ice cream. Or “deconstruct” the shortcake and scoop the ice cream next to the cake to better show off the tree (or star) design.
3. For an ice cream sandwich, cut a pound cake loaf lengthwise into slices, and a half-gallon of ice cream into slices approximately the same size. Place the slice of ice cream between two slices of pound cake and use the cookie cutter to cut individual sandwiches.
Use heart cookie cutters and other theme shapes to make these special (and easy) desserts for every holiday.
Don’t look for bargains when buying cookie cutters; pay more for the sturdiest cookie cutters you can find. The inexpensive ones will bend out of shape. You can find other ways to save money—for example, using the star shape for both Christmas and Independence Day.
As is our tradition, the Top Picks of the last two weeks of the year present the best products we’ve tried during the year—everyday specialty food products that can make every day special.
This week, in Part I of “The Best Of 2009,” we present in alphabetical order our favorite savory foods and beverages.
You can click to the original reviews via the links links below, or read our “Best Gourmet & Specialty Foods of 2009” full review to learn why these have become permanent additions to our home pantry (and to THE NIBBLE kitchen as well).
Use a small artificial Christmas tree to create a “dessert tree” centerpiece. Hang edible ornament cookies, fudge, petit fours, mint patties and other treats.
The easiest technique is to tie cellophane-wrapped treats with ribbon and hang them on the tree with ornament hooks.
But it makes an even prettier presentation if you cut pliable pieces of clear plastic from the craft store, punch holes for the hooks, and “glue” the treats to them with a paste of confectioners sugar.
Spinach Feta Stars are irresistible. Photo
courtesy of Nancy’s.
With the holidays upon us, Nancy’s is the quick, simple, go-to source for delicious hors d’oeuvres.
From soufflés and quiches to deli spirals and mushroom turnovers, Nancy’s wide variety of hors d’oeuvres and desserts makes sure there’s something for every taste bud.
New this season are the 12-count Spinach Feta Star hors d’oeuvres (shown in the photo), Petite Chocolate Tarts and Petite Pecan Tarts.
Not only are Nancy’s frozen hors d’oeuvres delicious delicious (we loved nibbling on them at THE NIBBLE), but they couldn’t be easier to prepare. Some are heated in the oven for five minutes while others just need some time out of the freezer to thaw out before they’re ready to serve.
The only bummer is that these wonderful party foods are only available from October through January each year. But the good news is, you can stock up the freezer now!
One winner will receive six coupons redeemable for six Nancy’s products of his or her choice, available in supermarkets nationwide. Approximate Retail Value: $30.00.
To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Hors d’Oeuvres & Cocktail Snacks page and enter your email address for the prize drawing.
