Secrets
from a
pastry chef
for pulling
off a simply
magical
holiday
spread!
hether you’re hosting a
W
small holiday gathering with
friends or a formal dinner party with
family, entertaining can be stressful.
But with a few simple food-focused
tips, you’ll be on your way to throwing
the perfect holiday get-together -
headache-free.
at Kaelberer’s dessert bar is an array
of fabulous adult beverages. To
For ease of planning, Executive save time, her team prepares batch
Pastry Chef Christina Kaelberer of cocktails daily to serve to patrons.
acclaimed Edwards Dessert Kitchen Apply this practice to your party
in Minneapolis suggests focusing your planning and you can keep glasses
gathering around the table.
filled, guests happy and have plenty
of time to mingle and enjoy.
“Food is what brings people together,
so it can easily serve as the focal point For inspiration, look to classics such
of a gathering,” says Kaelberer. “You as the Old-Fashioned, which features
don’t need to go out and purchase a holiday flavors and warm spices. Add
bunch of expensive décor and spend a splash of color to the presentation by
hours transforming your entire topping your punch bowl with orange
home.”
slices or cherries. To accommodate
all your guests, accompany your bar
“Holiday prep can be overwhelming, offerings with something simple,
so I’m all for saving time,” she says. festive and non-alcoholic, such as
“My advice is to focus your efforts sparkling cranberry water.
on a few star desserts and cocktails,
which can easily elevate any party.” Tip two: Make the dessert spread
your grand centerpiece.
Following are Kaelberer’s three
favorite tips for simple holiday Your beautiful desserts deserve to be
entertaining.
the center of attention. Holiday florals
and ornaments can be expensive for
Tip one: Create cocktails in batches how infrequently they’re used, so save
for easy serving.
time and money by letting the seasonal
sweet treats serve as the holiday décor.
One thing you’ll find on the menu Keep things visually interesting by
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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DECEMBER 2018
BPT
serving a variety of flavor options with
different textures and colors, such as
layered trifles, fluffy pies and stacks
of cookies and bars. Play around with
platters, serving bowls and flatware
that have varying shapes and heights.
Tip three: Rely on premium, thaw-
and-serve desserts to bring the sweet.
If you’re planning to make desserts
the focal point of your next gathering,
why not opt for eye-catching items
that will leave your guests thinking
you spent hours in the kitchen?
Thankfully, you don’t have to be a
talented pastry chef to make a high-
impact spread. A decadent, thaw-and-
serve pie from your grocer’s freezer
can elevate the occasion in minutes,
whether it’s served straight out of
the box or deconstructed into a new
holiday creation.
To inspire your upcoming holiday
bash, Kaelberer is sharing two recipes
she crafted using crème pies that you
can find in the frozen dessert aisle.
You and your guests will be thrilled
with the indulgent results.