Holiday Baking: Quick-Fix Desserts

Pound Cake a la Mode: Heat three peeled and sliced apples in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in three tablespoons butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, two tablespoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and 1 cup apple cider; cook until reduced by half. Layer 2 slices of cake on dessert plates and top with a scoop of rum raisin ice cream and warm apple topping.

Fondue: Cut half of a frozen pound cake into bite-sized cubes. You'll also need 24 strawberries, four sliced bananas and two sectioned oranges. Divide fruit and cake onto plates. Place two bowls of warmed chocolate sauce on the table and dip in!

Tiramisu: Slice cake into 1-inch thick slices. Line a glass bowl with half of the cake. Combine ¾ cup espresso and ½ cup coffee liquor; drizzle half over cake. Combine eight ounces mascarpone cheese, ¼ cup confectioners' sugar and one pint whipped cream. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over cake and repeat layering, finish with the mascarpone. Dust with cocoa powder. 

No-bake Cheesecake: Bake pastry following package directions. Whip together 16 ounces cream cheese, one teaspoon vanilla and ¼ cup sugar until creamy. Warm 1 cup raspberry preserves. Fill each pastry with cheese mixture, then top with preserves.

Mock Chocolate Macadamia Pie: Bake pastry following package directions. Prepare one package instant chocolate pudding and fold in ¾ cup chopped macadamia nuts. Fill pastry with pudding. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and remaining nuts.

Fruit Tarts: Bake pastry following package directions. Fill each with your favorite fruit pie filling, top with a dollop of whipped cream and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Sorbet Parfait: Layer three scoops of different flavored sorbet in parfait glasses. Splash one tablespoon Grand Marnier or other liqueur over each serving and top with a cookie.

Berries and Cream: Soften one pint of French vanilla ice cream. Fill large wine glasses with ¾ cup frozen mixed berries. Finely crush enough vanilla wafers to make one cup. Top berries with ice cream and crushed cookies and serve.

Ice Cream Sandwich Sundaes: Place a chocolate chip cookie in a small dessert bowl. Top with one scoop of ice cream and another cookie. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with whipped cream, chopped nuts and a cherry.

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