Desserts for Dinner Parties

After an evening filled with outstanding appetizers, mouth-watering main dishes and delightful drinks, guests are still likely to leave room for dessert. Even though it's nearing the end of the evening and the hosts may be tiring, leave a lasting impression with a tasty dessert. Desserts for dinner parties make for a great end to a perfect evening!
 

When planning desserts, base your choices on the number of guests and also their preferences. For example, if you have 100 guests at your dinner party, you will not have time to cut multiple cakes or pies and serve slices one-by-one. The exception is if you hire a caterer or have many hands helping in the kitchen. For a large number of guests consider dessert platters. For a small, intimate gathering of friends, the options are a little more flexible.

Treat your guests to something sweet with one of these easy dinner party desserts:
 
  • Cakes: Cakes make ideal desserts for a smaller group of dinner guests. Bake a traditional vanilla cake and enhance the flavor by incorporating a raspberry filling with lemon frosting. Another option is cheesecake with strawberries and strawberry sauce to add spice to the slice.
  • Pies: Traditional dinner party dessert pies are blueberry, apple, and pecan. Consider serving pumpkin pie and pecan pie if the dinner party is held in the fall or winter. Serve the pies warm and offer guests a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream on top of their slice!

Desserts for Dinner Parties

  • Platters: Make or order platters of smaller desserts such as cookies, brownies, and mini éclairs. Place each dessert in a mini cupcake tin or wrapper, and arrange them in a decorative pattern on a platter. Easy dinner party desserts such as mini cake squares and cupcakes are perfect to serve to a large group of guests.
  • Fruit: Fruit salad is always a winning choice for dinner parties. Mix a variety of selections such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, strawberries, and grapes for a healthy dessert option. Cut the fruit into small squares or use a melon scooper. To add a special gourmet touch to the evening, offer chocolate dipped fruits such as strawberries, apples, and oranges.

Desserts for Dinner Parties

A dinner party is rarely complete without a little something sweet at the end. It's also always a perfect way to close the evening, have a toast, and offer nightcaps.

Envelope Icon Love this article?

Sign up and we'll send more inspiration straight to you.

Sign up now