Cocktails, appetizers and desserts worthy of any winning Oscar party

1/13

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

2/13

The movie experience simply isn’t complete without popcorn. But why stop at plain popcorn when you can coat it in rich caramel and nuts? Better fix an extra batch -- this stuff’ll go quickly. Click here for the recipe. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

3/13

Looking to add a little classic Hollywood to your Oscar party? Fix a Champagne punch, sweetening the bubbly with a touch of sugar and adding subtle notes of lemon, cassis and elderflower liqueur. Click here for the recipe. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

4/13

Marino’s ricotta cheesecake.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

5/13

You might be inspired to raise a toast to one of Hollywood’s most classic films with an Emerald City cocktail, a refreshing gin-based libation flavored with Thai basil simple syrup and fresh lime. Click here for the recipe. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

6/13

The chiffon cake is about as Hollywood as a dessert can get. Heralded as “the first new cake in 100 years” when it was introduced, the delicate creation was originally developed by Los Angeles insurance salesman Harry Baker in the 1920s. Click here for the recipe. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

7/13

If you’re looking for something a little more elegant for your Oscar party, try these poached shrimp appetizers garnished with a bright avocado salsa. Click here for the recipe. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

8/13

It’s as if Lawry’s took everyone’s favorite flavors and combined them in an easy-to-make dessert, with Nutella, chocolate, espresso and Kahlua liqueur folded into a mousse. And the best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes.
Recipe: Lawry’s Nutella chocolate espresso Kahlua mousse
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

9/13

Please the chocolate lovers at your party with these fudge-like brownies, dense and rich with a lightly sweet finish. Click here for the recipe. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

10/13

Have your Champagne and caviar and eat them too in this cocktail from Paul Sanguinetti of Ray’s and Stark Bar at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Recipe: Rose wishes (and caviar dreams)
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

11/13

Wow your guests with beer-battered shrimp. These tasty morsels are crisp and light, perfect for dipping into honey-mustard sauce. One word of caution: Fix an extra batch. These treats go quickly! Click here for the recipe. (Robert Olding / For The Times)

12/13

Could it get any more fun than food on a stick? Well, how about cocktail cubes -- or stars -- on a stick? Click here for the recipe. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

13/13

Adapted from Grace Bauer’s “Los Angeles Classic Desserts,” creamy cheesecake bars from Canter’s Bakery on Fairfax are topped with chocolate chips and baked over a rich graham cracker crust. Click here for the recipe. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

By Tenny Tatusian

March 1, 2014 8:30 AM PT

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Chances are, you won’t be wearing vintage Armani and waving to adoring fans with a bejeweled hand Sunday night. (Unless that’s how your version of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” plays out.)

But what can make Oscar night special are a few gorgeous appetizers and a sparkling cocktail. Get dressed up or stay in your weekend mode. Invite your friends and family, nibble and sip and cheer and boo.

We have dozens of appetizers that are as simple as a few ingredients to dishes that are more complicated. Dessert can go either way too. Look through the California Cookbook for hundreds of dazzling tested recipes from The Times test kitchen.

PHOTOS: Recipes for a great Oscar party

For cocktails, there’s the Golden Boy. It looks and sounds cinematically cheery. Tangerine Ratafia takes advantage of the season’s best fruit. Or keep looking here.

Champagne nuts would be nice. Cheese and spinach rolls will make the vegetarians and everyone else happy. Crab cakes are fitting to the occasion.

For dessert, these smaller chocolate flourless cakes, bourbon balls, spicy cherry chocolate brownies or Joan’s on Third vanilla cupcakes will bring a nice end to awards season. Here are a bunch of desserts for your consideration. (See what just happened there?)

At the end of the night as your guests leave sated with sardines with chermoula, marinated olives and black bean hummus, remember to thank your agent and the Academy.

ALSO:

Photos: Recipes for a great Oscar party

Drinks: Cocktails to celebrate the evening

Desserts: Winning ways to end any Oscar evening