The Barefoot Contessa is at it again with a brilliant trick for picture-perfect dessert!
Ina Garten’s Hack for Serving Cake Will Instantly Wow Your Guests
Published on Dec. 12, 2022
You don’t have to work at a restaurant to serve restaurant-quality dessert at your next dinner party. All it takes is a little trick from our favorite Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, to wow your guests with a dessert that they will never forget.
When she’s not serving up giant Cosmopolitan cocktails or cooking up delicious meals—like her classic meatloaf or overnight mac and cheese—Ina Garten is a whiz at making delicious desserts. While her old-fashioned apple crisp and her icebox cake will surely be a hit with your guests, her latest tip for serving a slice of cake is so clever—and tasty!—that you will certainly wow the crowd at your next dinner party.
How to Serve a Slice of Cake Like Ina
Ready for her brilliant trick? All it takes is a slice of cake, some fresh berries and a jar of your favorite fruit jam.
Instead of just serving up a slice of cake to your guests, plate it like a chef at a restaurant! Smear some fruit jam on the bottom of the plate before placing down your slice, then garnish the cake on the side with some fresh berries.
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In her latest Instagram reel, Ina Garten shows how she does this with her favorite Coconut Cake, made with layers of fluffy sponge cake, cream cheese frosting and shredded coconut on top.
She then takes a jar of homemade raspberry sauce (you could also use raspberry jam) and smears a spoonful on the bottom of a clean dessert plate. She then places a slice of cake sponge-side down (instead of placing the slice upright on the plate) and sprinkles some fresh raspberries on the side—while snacking on a few herself, of course.
So why is this trick so brilliant? Because it’s incredibly versatile! If you’re not a fan of raspberry, you could use any kind of fruit sauce or jam to your liking. Strawberry? Peach? Blueberry? It all works—and your dessert looks like it came from your favorite five-star restaurant.
While the Coconut Cake is a classic that Ina Garten loves to serve, if you’re more of a chocolate person, this trick would also look (and taste!) delicious with a slice of her Famous Chocolate Cake recipe.
Ina Garten's Entertaining Tips
"Flowers in the center of a table always anchor the setting."
When choosing and assembling flowers for a table centerpiece, add in pops of color with greenery and a few flowers in a contrasting color. Or for a big impact, get a large bunch of one stunning flower (think roses, sunflowers or hydrangeas) and arrange them down the table or across the space in small glasses. Go above and beyond by creating an edible centerpiece that's waaay cheaper than the kind you'd order. Learn how to host (and cook!) like a pro in Ina's upcoming cookbook Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks. Pre-order today.
"Good organization is invaluable"
This is true whether you're planning a Thanksgiving dinner for 20 or a cocktail party for a few friends. A week or two ahead, lay out the linens, plates, utensils and serving dishes you will need for the party. Know in advance that you will have all the dishes, the chairs and the space you need for your guests and food.
"Plan a menu with food that's fun to eat and in a place that's fun to be."
Entertaining doesn't have to mean fussy food or be in the most formal room of your house. Arrange a casual get-together to grill in your backyard, play board games or have a clambake at the beach. Offer food that is delicious yet simple—and invite guests into the kitchen to help and have fun!
"Appetizers...no cooking required!"
Offer finger foods like cut veggies, really good cheese with crackers, dried or fresh fruit, bowls of nuts, and chips with dip. These no-cook appetizers are easy for you to prep and easy for your guests to enjoy while holding drinks, chatting together or playing games.
"I cook my best crowd-pleasing dishes!"
While it's fun to try out new recipes on your guests don't underestimate the appeal of classic crowd pleasers. Tried-and-true party foods include homemade onion dip, shrimp cocktail and make-your-own pizzas. Or host a spaghetti night with plenty of garlic bread—a simple, comforting dinner that guests of all ages will love.
"Set up a self-service bar so everyone can mix their cocktails exactly the way they like them."
Avoid the stress that can come with a cocktail party by setting up a drink station with everything your guests need to fix themselves a beverage. You can even choose a signature cocktail for your party with a printed recipe on the bar station for reference.
"Instead of cooking on a hot summer day, I just assemble this salad!"
Summer dinners and gatherings don't always need to include a barbecue. Take advantage of the bounty and color of summer by serving dishes like sliced tomatoes with mozzarella and balsamic vinaigrette. Or try big bowls of spicy gazpacho with a crusty bread on the side. Here's what to eat when it's too hot outside to cook.
"Season the meat, put it in the oven for 6-8 hours, and forget about it until dinnertime."
In cooler weather, make a stress-free dinner for your guests that you don't even need to think about! Slow-roasted meats made in the oven or slow cooker will be hearty and satisfying. Served with some drinks and bread, it'll be the easiest dinner party yet! Need some tips? Check out these low-and-slow Dutch oven recipes.
"For a late dinner... I need something I can prepare really fast!"
For times when you go out with friends for drinks or to a show and then come back for a late dinner, prepare something quick that will get you in and out of the kitchen quick! These quick dinners can be tossed together fast!
"The most important thing about giving parties is to stay very, very cool."
Your guests want to enjoy themselves, and they can't do that if you are stressed! Give yourself plenty of time to get ready, and choose dishes that will leave you with time to spend with your guests. Remember to smile and have fun, after all this is your party!
