It’s a balancing act in the world of dinner parties.
Striving for that perfect blend of homemade charm versus the convenience of store-bought items can be tough.
You want each dish to resonate freshness and authenticity, but life’s busy rhythms often don’t accommodate hours of prep.
If you’re pondering which item to skip buying pre-made, take a cue from Martha Stewart. Dessert is her hard and fast rule against store-bought.
This might go against common belief, as dinner often gets the spotlight while dessert takes a backseat.
After investing effort into appetizers, entrees, and drinks, it’s easy to see how a packaged treat could feel justifiable.
Yet, in an interview with The Kitchen, Stewart firmly stated her stance: “I would never buy a dessert, ever, because homemade desserts are infinitely better. I don’t care what it is — it’s better if you make it yourself.”
With her remarkable history of creating delicious desserts, it’s understandable why she holds her position.
While some store bakeries, like Publix, offer decent options that may satisfy your guests, others like Walmart top the list of less desirable choices.
Still, given a choice, many of us would opt for one of Stewart’s homemade desserts over anything from a grocery bakery.
Easy dessert recipes from Martha Stewart
In her home kitchen, Stewart is unwavering about never purchasing desserts, particularly during festive occasions like Thanksgiving.
While her approach may seem a bit drastic, she encourages others with a bold statement: “Don’t have pie unless you know how to make a pie — you better learn.”
Still, she advises against experimenting with intricate or new recipes when entertaining guests.
Opting for straightforward, tried-and-true recipes will guarantee a sweet ending rather than a culinary mishap.
Thankfully, there’s a treasure trove of homemade dessert recipes that require minimal ingredients, little skill, and can be completed in under 30 minutes.
It wouldn’t do justice if Stewart only presented complicated desserts inaccessible to novice cooks.
Thankfully, she even offers a section dedicated to quick and easy dessert recipes on her website.
Consider whipping up her five-ingredient cookies in just 20 minutes or try something more fruit-forward like caramelized pears that take only 15 minutes to prepare.
For a standout dessert that appears more complex than it is, her Grand Raspberry Trifle requires just six ingredients and 20 minutes of your time.
For those hesitant about the challenges of baking, a selection of dessert recipes perfect for non-bakers includes options like peach cobbler and chocolate crinkle cookies.
If you prefer skipping the oven entirely, no-bake treats like cheesecake or tiramisu are wonderful alternatives.
Should that still not be enough, check out these memorable dessert recipes that you can easily recall and make.
