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Who says entertaining has to be complicated? Especially in the summer, throwing a party needs to be nothing more than an excuse to gather with family and friends. Going to see fireworks this Fourth of July? Party! Just got a new ice-cream maker? Party! Just bought new outdoor pillows for your patio? Party!

Whatever the occasion to gather, lighten up and chill out your party plans with treats to delight our heightened senses:

Trifles

A visually stunning summertime classic, trifles are refreshing, feed a crowd, and serve up the best of summer’s bounty: berries. Made by alternating layers of sweet-tooth irresistibles–angel food or pound cake, whipped cream, and berries–trifles present best when assembled in a footed, clear glass, “trifle bowl.” But any clear class container measuring at least 8″ in diameter will do.

Here are two favorite summertime trifles (click for recipes):

• Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle (note: notably richer when you replace Cool Whip with home-whipped heavy cream)
• Fourth of July Trifle (make this Red, White & Blue Trifle with either cherries or strawberries and blueberries)

Homemade Ice Cream

My Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream Maker has been sitting in my freezer, weeks past the 24-hour minimum freeze time required to get started. After some investigation, I have decided to follow the advice (and recipe) from the chef scientists of Cooks Illustrated in their July/August 2011 issue.

According to performance testing at Cooks’ America Test Kitchen, I can achieve a perfect homemade vanilla for topping berry cobblers and pies by including:

• Corn syrup (the magic ingredient that turns loose granular homemade ice cream into professional-grade rich, smooth and creamy ice cream.)
• Store brand vanilla beans (McCormick Madagascar vanilla beans are Cooks’ top pick, and although pricier, party worthy.)
• One extra step to “fast freeze” the custard first: one batch in the refigerator and a smaller batch in the feezer.

To visually follow their detailed, foolproof steps on video, or for delectable recipes other than classic summertime vanilla, visit www.CooksIllustrated.com.

Pies

Well, what would summer be without berry pies? From blueberry to strawberry, cherry to peach, pies are notoriously intimidating for being the world’s easiest dessert. Just skip the part about making your own crust. Then, with a few cups of berries, some sugar, lemon zest and cornstarch, you are on your way.

but if homemade crust is one of your favorite parts like it is mine, but you aren’t up to the task of wielding a rolling pin, then try an easy, deep-dish blueberry pie with lattice-pattern crust laid on top. It’s a cinch and will impress.

With dessert recipes in hand, all you need to formalize your party are fun, fresh invitations. Browse the growing collection of party invitations at LookLoveSend.com for original designs printed on premium, high quality papers. Join our email list today and receive 20% off your first order.