NEXT LTH DESSERT EXCHANGE, MONDAY, MARCH 1

ok, a new thread for the 9th dessert exchange. all are welcome (up to 12 people, anyway) at my place. i'm in wicker park, 2 blocks from the blue line. 6:30, or thereabouts. i'll provide dinner. everyone should bring just one dessert, plus containers to carry home others' desserts. wine or other beverages are also welcome. i'll be making a vegetarian dinner. justjoan

basic exchange rules: 1) the host provides dinner plus non-alcoholic beverages. guests
can bring alcohol if they want
2) bring 1 recipe size dessert, no need to double or triple
3)bring a container for cakes/cookies and maybe a tupperware
style one for wetter desserts (like puddings)
4) come hungry!

( i must add that i have 2 cats. if you have a serious cat allergy, you'd probably not do well at this event)
ATTENDEES
justjoan
pairs4life + guest(ava)
eli
LauraS
justjoan's guest
pie lady(jenny)
cookiemonster(dobra)
earthlydesire (shannon)

I'm in. It's perfect because the Bahai Fast starts the next day! 3-2-2010.

Count me in as well. I've missed these.

great, we've got 4 people so far. i'm looking forward to it already. justjoan

My girlfriend has been a member for awhile and I finally joined. I had a "dessert party" in November at my house so when I saw this I knew I found my people. Can I bring a guest? Do the desserts have to be homemade?

hi mango911, you're more than welcome to come . the point of the exchange, though, is for us to bake for each other-to try out new recipes, or share favorite ones, so yes, i would hope you'd bring something homemade. your guest is most welcome, but would also be expected to bring something homemade. i hope i'm speaking for other dessert exchangers; if not, please correct me.
keep in mind that everyone will be taking a slice or a portion home with them, so desserts that travel well are best (ie; wont melt, or arent too messy). the host, this month, me, will make a light supper and then we socialize while eating dinner and dessert. if you decide to come, feel free to tell us what you plan to bring, or not. i usually don't decide till the last minute. but sometimes it's helpful for others, so that we don't end up with 10 chocolate desserts, for example (not that that would be so terrible!). do rsvp for yourself and your guest, whether you know what dessert(s) you'll be making or not. closer to march 1, i'll PM my address and phone number. i hope you'll join us. justjoan

mango911 wrote:My girlfriend has been a member for awhile and I finally joined. I had a "dessert party" in November at my house so when I saw this I knew I found my people. Can I bring a guest? Do the desserts have to be homemade?

mango911-

Yes, all the desserts have to be homemade. In the past, desserts have varied from tarts, beignets, fried custards, and cakes, to candied fruits. That should sort of give a sense as what to contribute. As for a guest, that's really up to the host, but typically, everyone who shows up contributes a dessert.

Here are the "rules" from previous dessert exchanges. Joan - maybe you should add this to your initial post so that any newcomers know the drill?

figmolly from the last dessert exchange wrote:Here is the basic format for the dessert exchange:

1) I’ll make something for dinner and provide non-alcoholic beverages.

2) Bring one recipe size of any dessert – no doubling or tripling of recipes needed! There will be plenty to sample and take home.

3) Bring a container or two to transport your dessert assortment home.

4) Come hungry!

* * *

I'm checking my schedule - hopefully I can make this!

That sounds perfect and my guest will bring something as well. Thanks for the clarification. It sounds like exactly what I had envisioned for my dessert party but no one brought recipes. Intimidated by the pie lady coming I won't be making pie but need to think of something that travels well...decisions...decisions. I usually like to make souffles but they don't really travel well!

I usually like to make souffles but they don't really travel well!

good point, mango911. i dont believe anyone has brought a dessert that needs to be eaten straight out of the oven. that could present difficulties.... please dont feel intimidated about what to choose, this is supposed to be fun. pie lady, for example, does not always bring pies, though apparently she likes them enough to use it for her screen name.
people are not expected to bring recipes, i believe because there was some concern about recipes that their creators didnt want to share. personally, if you want to bring a recipe, i think that's great. but there is no pressure to do so. just make sure you give proper attribution if it comes from someone else. justjoan

Since my co-workers have been asking "Hey, whatever happened to that dessert exchange?" because I would bring in treats the next day, I better sign up and get back in the swing. Since I'll be coming straight from work, it'll likely be cookies of some sort. Actually, someone's blog had a recipe for a chocolate chip cookie that incorporated all of the advice and suggestsions from lots of celebrated bakers. I may give that one a go.

mango911 wrote:Intimidated by the pie lady coming I won't be making pie but need to think of something that travels well...

justjoan wrote:pie lady, for example, does not always bring pies, though apparently she likes them enough to use it for her screen name.

Yes, please don't be intimidated! I just love pie and I'm always in search of a good slice. I might be making one (I'm still undecided), but please make one too if that's what you dig. If you post your offering before I do, I'll be sure to bring a different flavor.

I've been reading LTH for quite awhile, but only joined and started posting recently. Anyways, I would love to join in with the dessert exchange. I love baking, but since I live with only one other person, I always feel silly making something like an entire cake for the two of us. Not sure yet what I will make, but I'm definitely looking forward to going through my recipes. Hope to meet everyone soon!

hi lauraS; i'm glad you'll be joining us. i look forward to meeting you. justjoan

Hello,

I've got a friend with a wicked sweet tooth who would also like to attend. She knows the rules, so she will be bringing something that she made.

Please change me to a +1.

hi ava, i'll add your friend. joan

Sadly I won't be able to make this one! I'll keep my eyes open for the next date and time.

mango911 wrote:Sadly I won't be able to make this one! I'll keep my eyes open for the next date and time.

i'm sorry you wont be able to make it. i assume your guest won't be coming either. maybe the next time..... justjoan

Just checking in since I'm not on the list of people attending. I'm definitely looking forward to the 1st. I'm thinking about making a pear and almond tart for the exchange, but I've never tried the recipe before so I should probably test it out first Otherwise, maybe a lime curd tart?

LauraS wrote:but I've never tried the recipe before so I should probably test it out first Otherwise, maybe a lime curd tart?

Laura - I think everything I've made for the dessert exchanges I was making for the first time. I think many of us see it as an opportunity to experiment with recipes and get thoughtful feedback. At least I do! So don't feel the pressure to bring something you've perfected.

laura, i'm sorry it took me a while to add your name to the attendee list. i'm having some serious computer trouble and only get sporadic access to the internet. my apologies. i agree with helodali that you might take this as an opportunity to experiment and bring something new. or bring an old favorite, if you feel more comfortable knowing that the results are guaranteed. totally up to you. justjoan

If I'm feeling as ambitious as I am now, I'm making coconut mint cream cake.

It's a cruel, cruel world when work gets in the way of making and enjoying desserts, but alas, this seems to be the case for me. A couple of big assignments have come my way and I think I'm going to need to focus on them next weekend. Though I would much rather be trying Jacques Torres' chocolate chip cookie recipe. Next month, I hope. So sorry to back out.

i'm sorry too, helodali. we'll see you next time. if work eases up for you at the last minute, you can always change your mind and come. justjoan

Hellodali wrote:. Though I would much rather be trying Jacques Torres' chocolate chip cookie recipe. Next month, I hope. So sorry to back out.

Are you referring to the one from the NYTimes that gets refrigerated for at least 24 hours? OMG, those are so good. I am a loyalist now and don't even want to try another recipe out there.

Yep, that's the one. Now I really can't wait to try it after your endorsement!

Hey guys -- is there room for one more? I've had really bad timing with these and I think I can do it this time.

Let me know if I can come along.

Shannon

earthlydesire wrote:Hey guys -- is there room for one more? I've had really bad timing with these and I think I can do it this time.

Let me know if I can come along.

Shannon

hi shannon, there is definitely room for you, and several more people if anyone is interested. later in the week i'll PM my address/phone number to everyone. see you on the 1st. justjoan

Excellent -- consider me in for 1.

Hmm....what delicious thing will I make? Time to peruse the books!

s

I'm thinking through what I want to bring this time around. I've been meaning to find a good recipe for granola bars for ages and Smitten Kitchen posted one this week. I'm considering trying those out, but I'm not entirely sure they count as a dessert. What do the rest of you think?

Just dip an end in chocolate. Done!