Perhaps the very best part of summer is the permission we give ourselves to let loose, indulge or live in the moment. Whether that looks like skipping yard work for a Saturday at the pool, an impromptu happy hour or staying up late to watch the stars come out, embracing the joy of the unexpected is always a win. This summer, we suggest a classic from the genre: having dessert for dinner. Amp up the joy even more by inviting friends over to prepare the dessert together over open flame. Drama and delight in one simple dessert. We share a few easy but elevated ideas for sweet summer suppers below—and remember, no one ever turns down a s’more.
Campfire Crush: Chocolate Cinnamon Skillet Cookie with Toasted Marshmallow
Summer camp and sleepovers—our giant skillet cookie topped with toasted marshmallow takes the very best moments from childhood summers and combines them in a skillet dessert that’s evocative, elevated and just as satisfying as you remember. First, we perfected the cookie for baking in our Everyday Pan—a versatile tool that combines the benefits of a braiser with the ease of a sauté pan—so the cookie will come out deliciously chewy and chocolate-studded with caramelized edges. Just before serving, gather bowls, spoons and all your friends around the table for the final touch: a tower of oversized marshmallows that you’ll toast on the spot with a kitchen torch. Serve each gooey, melty slice with vanilla ice cream and watch your friends relive sweet summer memories.
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Dinner and a Show: Peach and Berry Jubilee
Flambé is a traditional French cooking technique where alcohol is added to the pan and briefly set alight to give food a kiss of flame and bring out its fullest flavor. Although savory courses can be flambéed, the technique is most famous in various showstopping desserts. Looking to iconic flamed desserts from decades past, we drew inspiration from cherries jubilee and crêpes suzette to create our Peach and Berry Jubilee. Our Alpine Wood Handle Fry Pan acts as the anchor for this dessert. First, its low sloped sides and enameled cast iron interior are ideal for preparing the delicate crepes that serve as the base of the dish. Next, you’ll stir together a sauce for simmering ripe peaches and berries before finishing it with a brief flambé. In addition to deepening the flavor of the sweet summer fruit, the flames make for a memorable moment—an experience that’s a joy to share and savor with good company.
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Sweet and Sophisticated: Raspberry Jam Crème Brûlée
If you want maximum delight for minimal effort, crème brûlée is the best dessert you can make this summer. Our version stars a sweet, ruby-colored layer of raspberry jam on the bottom and a creamy vanilla custard on top, all prepared in charming, personally portioned Mini Cocottes—one for each of your guests. The recipe is designed for easy preparation ahead of time. Simply chill the custards until ready to serve, sprinkle with sugar, and use a kitchen torch to toast the top right there at the table. The final result is a deeply caramelized, perfectly crunchy top that just begs your guests to crack into it.
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