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Dessert Reception

I am planning a charming chapel ceremony with a dessert reception following. We are envisioning an elegant dessert reception that offers our guests a variety of treats that wont break the bank. We have several family members volunteering to make their famous dessert recipes. Our guest list is currently just under 150. I am trying to decide what type of desserts to have, how to set the table, proper etiquette and how to go about this. Is an elegant dessert reception possible on a budget. I think so but I would love any advice or ideas from others who have accomplished this! help!!

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Permalink Reply by Caren Jeanty on April 27, 2010 at 10:14am

It's definitely possible, you can buy inexpensive trays or maybe use platters or trays from family/friends

Here are some dessert choices you can play with and see which combinations fit your budget:
Watermelon, Canteloupe, or Melon bowl
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Cookie Table
Rent a Chocolate Fountain
Candy Table
Fruit/Ceese trays
Mini cupcakes
Cheesecake Lollipops

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Permalink Reply by Robyn Sipes on April 27, 2010 at 12:09pm

thanks so much for your suggestions! A lot of these could definitely work. The cheesecake lollipops sound interesting. do you have a recipe for those?

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Permalink Reply by Caren Jeanty on April 28, 2010 at 9:24am

Here's the receipe

3 pounds cream cheese
24 ounces sugar
2 ounces cornstarch
12 ounces sour cream
6 eggs
For dipping: white, dark, or milk chocolate. Assorted nuts, coconut, sprinkles, or crushed candies. Andes makes peppermint crunchies for decorating

Preheat oven to 275ºF.

Place the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix on low until creamy. Add remaining items 1 at a time in the order listed, making sure to mix well and scrape the sides of the bowl after each addition. After all items are well mixed, a flavor element can be added to the cheesecake (i.e. 500 g of mango puree, or any other type of puree, or pieces of items such as coconut).

Line a half-sheet pan with waxed paper and pour the mixture into the pan.

Bake in the oven until it sets (but it shouldn't have any color).

Cool and then place the pan into the freezer. Once it is frozen hard, remove from the freezer and cut into squares (or any other shape) or what I do is use a small cookie scoop or melon baller.

Spear each piece with a small lollipop stick. Place back in the freezer to harden before dipping in chocolate.

Dip lollipops in melted chocolate up the side of the stick a bit so that it doesn't slide off as it sets. Quickly sprinkle with assorted decorations. Freeze until 30 minutes before serving.

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Permalink Reply by All About Chocolate-Edye Singer on April 28, 2010 at 5:52pm

Those all sound yummy but its all about the toppings! 1)You can make a sliced twinkie elegant by topping it with whipped cream, fresh raspberries and a mint leaf! 2)Fill chocolate dessert cups/shells from the grocery store with mousses- using a baggie snipped in the corner will give you that elegant swirl add shaved chocolate to the top and a berry. 3) Melt the rest of your chocolate and draw small scrolls and other elegant designs on wax paper, chill and peel and you have elegant chocolate laced toppings. You can print out designs and just trace them! 4)Tart shells from wal-marts freezer -filled with kiwis, berries, flan. 5) Petite fours 6) cream puffs (walmart) sprinkle with powdered sugar 7)frozen grapes in sour cream and brown sugar 8) cut fruit with cookie cutters 9) make tropical fruit and cheesecake skewers around a bowl of warm chocolate sauce and shaved coconut (fountains are a little out dated) 10) Clear votives layered with pudding, cream, berries print out clear monogram stickers and stick them on the votives. 11) Add your initials to the top of truffles, cookies or anything that needs a little boost. 12) Stencil powered sugar on brownies. 13) slice sheet cake, candy bars into small interesting shapes and serve on appetizer spoons 14) Tuxedo strawberries 15) laced lollicakes 16) You can buy plastic silver trays at the dollar store that look like real silver and plastic silverware that looks like sterling silver! 17) After all your hard work don't forget to display your items in an interesting way - use levels, tulle with battery lights. 18) Fill empty spots with small bowls of nuts, silver or gold Jordan almonds. 19) Serve coffee with chocolate flavored spoons (hazelnut, mocha, etc) drizzled with white chocolate. 20) chocolate dipped biscotti. I can serve 60 people for $12.00 but it looks more like $1200.00! Keep me posted-

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Permalink Reply by Dessy Group on May 5, 2010 at 3:21pm

Hi Robyn!

Congrats on the wedding! I think a dessert reception is a great idea and there are a lot of affordable options. I have done a few different blog posts on different diy and wedding candy/dessert buffets that might help give you some ideas. Anything from nice jars filled with colorful candy, to icecream cone cupcakes, to cotton candy in martini glasses-hope you find some inspiration :)
http://blog.bridesmaid.com/2010/01/wedding-candy-buffets-oh-la-la.html

http://blog.bridesmaid.com/2010/02/yummy-diy-edible-wedding-favor.html

http://blog.bridesmaid.com/2010/02/cupcake-ice-cream-cones.html

http://blog.bridesmaid.com/2010/03/macaroonsdiy.html