topic Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP in Kitchen

SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

Oznell — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 01:57:18 GMT

Boy, I am glad last Wednesday is over! This is just kind of a long rant about what led up to it and how I felt...

Baking always makes me a bit nervous. For one thing, I have a circa 1970's electric hand mixer, my mother's, which only works with one beater! ( The other beater just falls right out when you try to attach it to the mixer). The other thing that gives me anxiety is, with baking, you need to be fairly precise, which I'm not.

My husband volunteered at church to run a short term, 3 week evening Bible study for the general public, to be done at a downtown coffee house. The coffee house owner, who is a total sweetheart, is kindly lending us her premises for our group, her yummy coffee, etc.

Our team from church is providing the snacks, and for the first two weeks, the snacks are up to me. This is what I came up with for last Wednesday, our first session--

espresso brownies, assorted crackers with 2 kinds of cheese, grapes, and a fancy, "artisan" type of black licorice.

You can't imagine how I agonized, ha. Even though I've baked for bake sales and meal trains, etc. -- these brownies had to turn out well.

I used Maida Heatter's famous brownie recipe she made in World War II for the troops. Even though she puts you through hoops to make them-- the recipe as written is a pain! Hers also calls for toasted walnuts, but, in case anyone in the group might have nut allergies, I had to make two batches, one with and one without walnuts....

Could go on and on about the various difficulties, but they did turn out quite decently, both batches-- relief. The group seemed to like them.

I want to do something SIMPLE but good for Week 2.

Thinking of making either the cream cheese cookies from Food52, ( which I've made before and are very good) or the Pioneer Woman's brown sugar oatmeal cookies, or the Doubletree Choc. Chip Cookie recipe.

Wondering if anyone here has made the PW brown sugar oatmeal cookies before, or the Doubletree choc. chip cookie?

If you've made the Doubletree cookies, have you made them without the nuts? ( I can't face making 2 separate batches again, so if they are still good without the nuts, would consider them).

Then, instead of crackers, will have chips, cheese, and trying to think of a different fruit than grapes, sigh. The grapes were so fresh and good, and EASY. Don't want to chop a lot.

For one more sweet item, am considering those yummy little pre-made frozen mini eclairs that you just thaw. Not home made, of course, but we've used them for groups before, and were a hit.

Thinking of adding red licorice to the black, this time. Not everyone is a black licorice hound like I am! And this licorice is so pretty, both the red and black just glisten and makes a good presentation under a glass cloche...

Well, I said this was long... Am so thankful that our other team members are responsible for the snacks for the final session! And I bought a new mixer today.

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

Tori3569 — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 02:18:46 GMT

Yes I have made the doubletree cookies without nuts and they are just as delicious!

Funny you should mention the Food 52 cream cheese cookies. My mom made those her whole life and even with her recipe I couldn't replicate them. Then I found the Food 52 recipe and they were just as I remembered. My all time favorite cookie. Sometimes I dip half in melted chocolate.

The mini eclairs are very good as are the cream puffs. For the fruit how about the little cuties? I love those and they're convenient.

Best of luck. I understand your anxiety over this!

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

Eileen in Virginia — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 02:34:21 GMT

Those frozen cream puffs are delicious. If you want to dress them up a bit, just sift a little powdered sugar over them before serving. While I usually bake my own chocolate chip cookies, I've got to say that Tate chocolate chip cookies are delicious. They're so buttery and crispy - YUM! They sell them in most grocery stores (I get them at BJ's). If you decide on either of these, just be sure to get enough because they'll fly off the serving dishes.

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

ThinkingOutLoud — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 03:06:52 GMT

I can imagine your relief that round 1 is done.

For round 2:

- I think the oatmeal cookies are more 'Fallish'

- I would not do the choc chip if you do the eclairs (both are chocolate)

- You could do oatmeal craisin cookies instead

- Check Costco for items that are easy and yummy

- Fruit - hmm - dried mango slices (colorful) or banana chips (adds a crunch element)??

I'm sure whatever you decide will be lovely and appreciated.

ETA Sometimes a cute tie-in is refreshing and shows creativity in a different way. For the fruit, trail mix with a medley of dried fruit - "thanks for joining us as we journey through the scriptures!"

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 03:06:19 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Boy, I am glad last Wednesday is over! This is just kind of a long rant about what led up to it and how I felt...

Baking always makes me a bit nervous. For one thing, I have a circa 1970's electric hand mixer, my mother's, which only works with one beater! ( The other beater just falls right out when you try to attach it to the mixer). The other thing that gives me anxiety is, with baking, you need to be fairly precise, which I'm not.

My husband volunteered at church to run a short term, 3 week evening Bible study for the general public, to be done at a downtown coffee house. The coffee house owner, who is a total sweetheart, is kindly lending us her premises for our group, her yummy coffee, etc.

Our team from church is providing the snacks, and for the first two weeks, the snacks are up to me. This is what I came up with for last Wednesday, our first session--

espresso brownies, assorted crackers with 2 kinds of cheese, grapes, and a fancy, "artisan" type of black licorice.

You can't imagine how I agonized, ha. Even though I've baked for bake sales and meal trains, etc. -- these brownies had to turn out well.

I used Maida Heatter's famous brownie recipe she made in World War II for the troops. Even though she puts you through hoops to make them-- the recipe as written is a pain! Hers also calls for toasted walnuts, but, in case anyone in the group might have nut allergies, I had to make two batches, one with and one without walnuts....

Could go on and on about the various difficulties, but they did turn out quite decently, both batches-- relief. The group seemed to like them.

I want to do something SIMPLE but good for Week 2.

Thinking of making either the cream cheese cookies from Food52, ( which I've made before and are very good) or the Pioneer Woman's brown sugar oatmeal cookies, or the Doubletree Choc. Chip Cookie recipe.

Wondering if anyone here has made the PW brown sugar oatmeal cookies before, or the Doubletree choc. chip cookie?

If you've made the Doubletree cookies, have you made them without the nuts? ( I can't face making 2 separate batches again, so if they are still good without the nuts, would consider them).

Then, instead of crackers, will have chips, cheese, and trying to think of a different fruit than grapes, sigh. The grapes were so fresh and good, and EASY. Don't want to chop a lot.

For one more sweet item, am considering those yummy little pre-made frozen mini eclairs that you just thaw. Not home made, of course, but we've used them for groups before, and were a hit.

Thinking of adding red licorice to the black, this time. Not everyone is a black licorice hound like I am! And this licorice is so pretty, both the red and black just glisten and makes a good presentation under a glass cloche...

Well, I said this was long... Am so thankful that our other team members are responsible for the snacks for the final session! And I bought a new mixer today.

@Oznell , Everything sounds delicious ! Instead of grapes, how about mandarins? They are tasty and the bright orange color is perfect for fall !🍊

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

dimin — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 03:10:08 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
Yes I have made the doubletree cookies without nuts and they are just as delicious!

Funny you should mention the Food 52 cream cheese cookies. My mom made those her whole life and even with her recipe I couldn't replicate them. Then I found the Food 52 recipe and they were just as I remembered. My all time favorite cookie. Sometimes I dip half in melted chocolate.

The mini eclairs are very good as are the cream puffs. For the fruit how about the little cuties? I love those and they're convenient.

Best of luck. I understand your anxiety over this!

I vote for cuties

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

spiderw — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 03:10:57 GMT

I can imagine your concern over preparing all those goodies!!!! They all sounded delicious and I would have been sampling everything and enjoying the choices!!!! Baking is a talent I lack but it sounded like you did a great job and I am sure everyone appreciated the food. I bet the espresso brownies were yummy!!!!! Also I love black licorice and have since I was a young girl. I used to buy Crows which were like Dots but all licorice. My mouth is watering!!!!!!!

You should be proud of all you did and I am glad you bought a new mixer!!!!!!

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

Snowpuppy — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 05:09:46 GMT

I've made the Hilton Doubletree cookies several times and their recipe is spot on to what you get in their hotels.

While I've never made them without nuts I can imagine you can.

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

lynnie61 — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 05:30:40 GMT

@Oznell How about some rice crispy treats? You could dip some in chocolate. Sliced apples (or whole) and maybe pre portion some small carmel dip (in a salad dressing cup).

Or maybe some chex mix? Wasn't sure if it needed to be a baked good. Or hummus and pretzels?

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

hopi — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 06:29:41 GMT

@Oznell Too funny, you did overthink this one. They don't make mixers like they used to but when the beater falls off you made the right decision. The layout sounds delicious.

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

Somertime — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:04:48 GMT

@Oznell The easiest cookies to make are called Forgotten Cookies. They are made with egg whites, sugar, chocolate chips in a preheated oven that is turned OFF and left in the oven overnight! They are delicious and go quickly. Google the receipe, I was afraid to include a link. I have made these for years at Christmas but we call them Angel Kisses!

Another easy receipe is Haystack Cookies....easy peasy! They are made with chow mein noodles, melted chocolate chips or butterscotch chips or add peanut butter to either, mix, drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet, refrigerate! Google for receipe. Good Luck!

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

vabreeze — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:45:22 GMT

@ Oznell,
For fruit, would the 4 or 6 pack fruit cups work? They come in plain applesauce, strawberry applesauce, mixed fruit, pears, peaches and.mandarin cups.

.

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

FancyPhillyshopper — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:43:26 GMT

It seems very nice that your husband is doing something for your community.

I skim read your post because I have always liked homemade brownies, but DH is not a fan. My mother used to put powdered sugar on top after she cut up the walnuts.

I have to say after reading all your details I could only think that I was happy to be a career woman and never have to cook or bake for any kind of public event.

Yes, so much easier to pop into a local bakery or a high end grocery store and have everything of high quality prepared in advance and ready to go, or just hire a caterer for large business events.

Of course, many things I like to eat I would not even know how to begin to prepare. Tonight we are going out to dinner at a favorite Greek restaurant--always a great meal.

I hope your meetings had a good turn-out and were productive.

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

ThinkingOutLoud — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:35:03 GMT

Thought of one more option. For the fruit/sweet - in mini cupcake liners, put some melted chocolate on the bottom, then various small fruits (blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, etc), then drizzle with chocolate and put in the fridge to harden. The idea is bite sized 'fruit clusters' that they can unwrap from the liner and enjoy with no mess. Easy, different and tasty.

Thinking about this more, I would probably do them on a cookie sheet and serve them in mini cupcake liners (with a toothpick?).

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

GingerHead — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:14:05 GMT

@Oznell

I have nothing much to add other than to say your snacks sound yummy!

I love those eclairs and I think the addition of red licorice would be great (I like red).

Chips (tortilla or potato) also sound good with various dips, salsa or guacamole.

Enjoy your get together!

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

GingerHead — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:21:27 GMT

I just did a quick look online for fruit to serve at a Fall party and this popped up:

Maybe a little involved, but I thought it was cute!

Elaine Marriott: Welcome fall with this fruit tray (recipe)

Re: SNACKS FOR A SPECIAL GROUP

Oznell — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:50:22 GMT

These are wonderful ideas and suggestions, not to mention answering my specific questions about those two other cookie possibilities in the race!

Thank you to each and every poster for responding with all your thoughts and tips. They will be teeming in my mind when I shop shop supplies for this week's upcoming session.

Also very much appreciate the encouragement! This is a very cherished project of hubby's and mine, and we were so pleased with how the first class went.