Tips for Hosting a "Last Minute" Party | Chocolate Harvest Cake

Sometimes you need to be really organized and deliberate when you entertain. Ron's surprise 60th birthday party in August, and our "Thank the Movers" dessert buffet in October both fit into that category. We made detailed plans for the menu, for decorations, and for how to get it all done in time. 

But sometimes the key is to keep it simple! 

Last weekend, when two sets of tentative plans fizzled (actually both were postponed until a later time), we made a quick decision to host a ladies' game night instead. It would be the first such evening here at Pineapple House! With less than a week's notice, we needed to keep it simple.

Here are my tips for hosting a last minute party:

Keep the menu simple.

This time, we planned a simple supper of chicken tortilla soup and mini corn muffins.  That's it.

Your menu could be pizza or chili or lasagna...anything that you find easy to prepare and serve. Soups and other one-dish meals are super simple. 

Say "yes" if a guest offers to contribute to the meal. 

My friend Joanne asked if she could bring something, so I asked her to bring an appetizer. She arrived with a fabulous butternut squash/apple bruschetta. Mmmm.

I very rarely have a party or holiday meal, or even a Sunday afternoon family meal, without having others contribute. If someone offers, I know that they are willing to help and I accept. Of course, for occasions when there are a group of guests, I may say, "Since you brought a salad to our last game party, this time just bring yourself!" 

If time allows, make ONE special thing.

I had clipped a recipe from a magazine several years ago because it was beautiful, autumnal, and chocolate! Since the rest of the menu was simple, I decided to make this special dessert: Chocolate Harvest Cake.

Two chocolate layers...pumpkin cream filling...chocolate ganache...a few fruits and nuts for a flavorful garnish. What's not to like?!

Note: Cakes are not my strong suit. Kati and Bekah usually make the layer cakes around here. But, although this one takes a little time because of the three parts, I found it generally easy to make...and it turned out! Success! 

CHOCOLATE HARVEST CAKE

INGREDIENTS

Chocolate Cake:

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup water

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

Pumpkin Cream Filling:
8-oz package of cream cheese

1/3 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Chocolate Ganache:

1/2 cup whipping cream

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.

Mix together buttermilk, water, oil, sugar, eggs, baking soda, and salt; stir until well combined. 

Add in flour and cocoa powder, whisking until smooth.

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until top springs back when lightly touched.

Cool completely. 

Beat together cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and thick.

Place one cake layer on serving plate; spread pumpkin filling over top. Top with the second layer.

In saucepan, bring whipping cream just to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat.
Pour in chocolate chips and allow to stand for five minutes; stir until smooth.

Cool for 15 minutes. (Ganache will thicken as it cools.)

Pour ganache over cake, allowing it to drip down sides.
Garnish. (I used red grapes, blackberries, and toasted hazelnuts.)

Chill until set, approximately 30 minutes.

Do you ever host last-minute affairs? What are your tips for pulling it off?