3 Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Recipes For A Potluck Gathering

Looking for dessert ideas to serve at a potluck gathering? From carrot cake to chocolate pie, here are three recipes that can become a crowd pleaser.

Looking for dessert ideas to serve at a potluck gathering? From carrot cake to chocolate pie, here are three recipes that can become a crowd pleaser.

We are reaching the end of the holiday season, and the festive vibe is at its peak. With occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, this time of the year always fills our heart with joy and excitement. Holidays are also a moment to spend some quality time with our family and friends and for this what can be better than a potluck gathering?

A potluck gathering is basically a meal or party where people come together and share food with one another. Each guest or family brings a dish to contribute to the overall feast. It is a great way to celebrate any occasion as the whole responsibility of the food does not fall only on the host. We usually prefer home-cooked food at potluck parties and enjoy some good time with our loved ones. So, if you are assigned to bring desserts to the next potluck gathering, here are three delicious recipes you can prepare:

Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is one of the most popular desserts of the holiday season. This easy to make treat is very versatile and utterly delicious. Made from scratch, it does not require any fancy equipment. The main ingredients of the carrot cake are all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, sea salt, grated carrots, pecans and raisins. For the frosting you can use cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream and chopped nuts.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup cooking oil
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Cream Cheese Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare two 8-inch pans with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then add oil and butter and stir again.
• Further add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in carrots and nuts until all ingredients are combined. Then evenly divide cake batter into prepared pans and bake for 40 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes then allow it to cool completely on the rack.

For Cream Cheese Frosting

• Mix butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Stir in vanilla extract and salt into the bowl and mix well to combine.
• With an electric mixer slowly mix powdered sugar until completely combined. Once done, layer the cake with frosting and enjoy.

Fantasy Fudge

This is another exciting dessert for potluck gatherings. The original recipe of fantasy fudge appeared on the back of a jar of Marshmallow Creme. Easy to prepare, this sweet treat barely takes time to get ready. It is made with salted butter, white sugar, milk, semisweet chocolate chips, marshmallow creme and vanilla extract. Fantasy fudge is gluten-free too, making it perfect for everyone.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup salted butter
• 3 cups granulated white sugar
• ⅔ cup evaporated milk
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

• In a heat-safe bowl, microwave the butter until melted. Stir in the sugar and milk and whisk until combined.
• Microwave on high power for 5 minutes stirring in between. Combine scraping the sides of the bowl.
• Microwave for 3 more minutes until 234 degrees is reached. Remove the bowl from the microwave and add the chocolate chips
• Stir vigorously until the chocolate chips are completely melted and smooth. Add the marshmallow creme and the vanilla extract and stir well combined.
• Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch square pan. Let it cool completely at room temperature. Then cut into squares and enjoy.

Chocolate Pie

This can be a great sweet treat for all chocolate lovers. Pies are a popular dessert item of holiday season and can be perfect for a potluck party. This decadent treat is light, creamy and rich. The main ingredients of chocolate pie are unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, milk, egg yolks, vanilla extract and whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• whipped cream

Method

• Preheat the oven to 400F and line a 9-inch pan with pie crust and crimp. Line the pan with parchment paper and fill with pie weights. Bake it for 35 minutes. Allow it to cool completely.
• In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and cocoa powder. Slowly stir in milk until well combined. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, remember to stir frequently. Then reduce the heat to low.
• Meanwhile, in a heat-proof bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup of milk, yolks, flour, and salt. When the milk comes to a simmer, gradually stir it into the egg mixture. Then pour it back into the saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Switch off the heat and mix in the butter and vanilla until melted. Pour the mixture into the baked pie shell. Chill in the fridge overnight and serve with whipped cream.