I have two favorite desserts from my holiday party to share with you.

Caramel Budino with Salted Caramel Sauce

I saw this recipe in the September issue of Bon Appetit and knew I had to make it for my party.  This is a layered pudding.  Chocolate cookie crumbs are placed in the bottom of the glass.  The next layer is butterscotch pudding enhanced with a bit of rum.  The next layer is a seriously rich and delicious salted caramel sauce.  (This sauce could be my new favorite ice cream topping!)  A dab of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed crumbs top the fabulous dessert.  You can view the recipe by clicking here.  

I have 2 oz glasses and dessert spoons from Ikea that serve mini portions so guests may try several dessert treats and not feel too full.   

Cranberry Spice Cake

This recipe was in the November 2011 issue of Bon Appetit.  Shown as an 8 inch round cake I was sure this would work as mini portions.  I purchased several petite muffin pans (smaller than mini muffin pans) from Sur la Table which worked perfectly for small portion cakes.  The tiny cakes baked in 12 minutes.  The fresh cranberries in the batter along with the orange and lemon zest, cinnamon and cardamom made for a spicy, flavorful, moist cake.  I topped the cakes with an icing made of  powdered sugar, orange zest and cream.  Click here to see the cake recipe.  This cake would be excellent for breakfast or as dessert with ice cream or whipped cream on the side.  

My new favorite holiday embellishment is this Silver Shimmer Sugar.  The little grains are dazzling and catch the light like tiny diamonds. 

What is your favorite holiday treat?  Please share.