New Year’s Eve — that night when anything seems possible for 2012. The new year, soon to arrive fresh and unsullied, is filled with visions of pounds lost, salaries raised or “that room” finally repainted. What a shame to waste such an occasion by falling asleep in front of the TV before the traditional midnight ball-drop.
Ring in the new year with some of the holiday cheer Christmas evokes. Add a pinch of creativity, a dash of lighthearted fun and a few recipes for dazzling desserts, and you’ll be celebrating in memorable style.
Family and friends will ooh and ahh over these dessert ideas that fit the theme. A countdown cheesecake and party-topped cupcakes will delight adults and children. A jellied champagne dessert adds elegance to the table. And if you’ve ever sneaked into the fridge for a spoonful of chocolate chip cookie dough, the chocolate chip cheeseball may rank as your favorite.
The budget-conscious love the fact that a New Year’s Eve party can start at 9 p.m. or after, eliminating the urge to feed guests supper.
You might even consider enlisting the help of friends who can bring their own favorite, to add variety to the menu.
I never thought of that
One speed-bump to New Year’s Eve celebrations is that the big moment of the night happens after children’s bedtimes. If this is an issue in your home, how about a time-zone party? Pick a place that will be celebrating earlier and go with the theme. New Year’s in New York? Midnight in Miami?
One family in Idaho celebrated New York style with “Big Apple” pie, bagels and soft pretzels, says familyfun.go.com. Another year, it was Midnight in Maine, with a seafood buffet. For Miami, guests partied in bathing suits at a hot tub. Revelers on the east coast might hop ahead to Rio de Janeiro, or celebrate as Big Ben strikes midnight in London. Possibilities are endless.
Another mom at familyfun.go.com didn’t meddle with the clock, but did include her children (and the neighbors’ kids) by letting them draw and color in big numbers from 1 to 10 on 10 sheets of poster board. As the countdown to midnight ensues, each child begins the promenade down a flight of steps as the crowd yells out each number and cameras flash. By the time the last child reaches the bottom, the party has erupted in noisemakers and cheers.
Rhonda Johnston of Pioneer, Calif., gives the Christmas tree a New Year’s makeover at her house. All the ornaments are replaced with blue bows and curling ribbons, party horns and favors. Even the tree skirt is replaced. The only thing kept are the colored lights. Her one rule: no red or green. The New Year’s tree become a centerpiece — and by the time the party’s over, it’s undecorated.
COUNTDOWN CHEESECAKE
Makes 8-10 servings
Prep: 20 minutes, plus chilling
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares)
3 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
For the filling:
2 cartons (8 ounces each) spreadable strawberry cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Red decorating gel
1 fresh strawberry, halved
- In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes, then cool.
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Gently spread a third of the filling over crust. Arrange strawberries on top. Spoon remaining filling over berries; smooth top. Refrigerate overnight.
- With decorating gel, pipe numerals and the minute and hour hands for a clock dial on the cheesecake. Place strawberry halves at the tips of the clock hands.
(Source: tasteofhome.com)
CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESEBALL
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
- Bring cream cheese to room temperature or microwave on 50 percent power for approximately one minute to soften. Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until creamy. Slowly add sugars until blended.
- Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into your favorite serving dish and sprinkle with pecans (if you are using them; if not, just sprinkle a few chips on top for a lovely presentation). You can also form into a ball by chilling the cheese ball for 15 minutes in the fridge before gently forming into a ball and rolling in pecans and/or chocolate chips.
- Serve with assorted graham crackers (I vote for cinnamon), vanilla wafers, or strawberries.
(Source: Courtesy of Jennifer Melnick Carota/justkeepthedish.com)
NEW YEAR’S EVE CUPCAKES
Makes 24
1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
Cupcakes of your choice
Assorted jimmies
Green, white and red Air Heads candies
Gold pearl dust
- Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with jimmies. If necessary, microwave candies on high for three- to five-second intervals to soften. Form green candies into champagne bottles. Cut squares from white candies to form labels; press gently onto bottles to attach. Brush bottle tops with pearl dust (available from Wilson Industries, wilton.com).
- Shape white candy into champagne flutes. Cut thin strips of red candies; twist to form streamers. Decorate cupcakes with bottles, champagne flutes and streamers as desired. Store in an airtight container.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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