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Tip: Assembled Desserts

A conveniently delicious compromise between desserts that are store bought and those baked from scratch, assembled desserts are the secret weapon of even the best chefs and caterers. By using purchased ingredients, you can reserve your creativity for selecting flavor combinations and garnishes that will deliver the final festive touch. With a few prepared foods and a seasonal garnish or two, you can quickly assemble a dessert that looks and tastes as good as one you baked yourself.

When creating an assembled dessert, consider various combinations of flavors, textures and temperatures. (Think cold ice cream and hot fudge, or soft sponge cake and crunchy toasted almonds.) This can be as simple as icing a store-bought angel food cake with a flavored whipped cream, such as chocolate or cinnamon, or filling thawed frozen tart shells with prepared lemon curd. A garnish of fresh fruit, chocolate curls, chopped nuts, candied ginger or lemon peel completes the presentation.

Elegant parfaits—another assembled dessert classic—are easy to make with a few ingredients. Pick one cake or cookie (macaroons are lovely), a seasonal fruit and something creamy, such as whipped cream, fruit curd, yogurt or pudding. Taste along the way if you're unsure of a flavor combination, and be adventurous!

To make simple parfaits, arrange Champagne flutes or wineglasses on a linen-draped platter. Into each glass, spoon a layer of diced fruit tossed with a dash of lemon juice or liqueur and a spoonful of sugar. (In summer, try berries with framboise, or peaches with hazelnut liqueur. In winter, pair orange sections with Grand Marnier, or soak dried prunes in warm brandy.) Add a few cubes of vanilla or chocolate pound cake and finish with a layer of spiced whipped cream, then repeat. Garnish each parfait with a fresh mint sprig or a sprinkling of nuts or fruit and voilà—you've turned out an impressive dessert in just minutes.

Parfaits are best prepared a few hours before you serve them so the flavors have time to meld. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Whatever assembled desserts you create, remember that the work will go faster—and be more fun—with the help of a few friends.