Follow the lead of trendy cafés and frozen treat purveyors by stuffing these delicious pastries with scoops of store-bought gelato or ice cream. When you’re preparing a big festive menu for a crowd, it’s good to have an easy dessert up your sleeve so you can finish the evening by spending a little extra time with friends and family. Though this concept is incredibly easy to pull off, it’s important to put some advance thinking into the ingredients. Arrange for a range of pastel-coloured options so you have a platter that showcases the colourful palette of spring. Make it fun and customizable by offering different toppings.
Ingredients:
20 mini or 10 large donuts, such as stuffed Italian-style bomboloni or Polish-style paczki or 5 plain or flavoured croissants, or a mix of pastries (see TIP)
2 to 4 pints of gelato, preferably a mix of flavours and colours, such as lavender, pistachio, salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry or cherry
Ingredients:
20 mini or 10 large donuts, such as stuffed Italian-style bomboloni or Polish-style paczki or 5 plain or flavoured croissants, or a mix of pastries (see TIP)
2 to 4 pints of gelato, preferably a mix of flavours and colours, such as lavender, pistachio, salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry or cherry
Directions:
For smaller donuts, slice in half, making sure not to cut all the way through. Cut larger donuts in half, and then slice. If using croissants, slice in half lengthwise so you have two cone-shaped pieces. Using a small, serrated knife, cut and shape a little hole directly into the fluffy centre of paczki or croissants, if using, making room for a scoop of gelato. (You won’t need to do this for filled donuts as there will already be room for the gelato.) You can cut the pastries a few hours ahead of time, but if you do, be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic after slicing.
When ready to serve, fill each pastry with one or two scoops of gelato and sprinkle with toppings, if you like. This easy dessert really shines if you use a mix of pastries, gelato flavours and toppings so guests can choose their favourites. Create combinations such as donuts stuffed with chocolate gelato and studded with candied lemon, or filled with cherry gelato and rainbow sprinkles, or pistachio gelato and toasted pistachios. Serves 10
TIP Using filled donuts adds another layer of flavor, but if you’d prefer plain, order ahead from your local bakery, donut shop or grocery store. When a guest offers to bring something, ask them to pick up the donuts on their way. Freshness is essential here, and this way you can concentrate on preparing the rest of your menu.
When ready to serve, fill each pastry with one or two scoops of gelato and sprinkle with toppings, if you like. This easy dessert really shines if you use a mix of pastries, gelato flavours and toppings so guests can choose their favourites. Create combinations such as donuts stuffed with chocolate gelato and studded with candied lemon, or filled with cherry gelato and rainbow sprinkles, or pistachio gelato and toasted pistachios. Serves 10
TIP Using filled donuts adds another layer of flavor, but if you’d prefer plain, order ahead from your local bakery, donut shop or grocery store. When a guest offers to bring something, ask them to pick up the donuts on their way. Freshness is essential here, and this way you can concentrate on preparing the rest of your menu.
