How to Host a Dessert Party

A dessert party is a perfect theme for birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers or any other social gathering where you eat dessert first. Dessert parties are wonderfully festive, relaxed and informal. Pair fresh fruit, heady wines and fragrant coffee with decadent desserts, for an unforgettable feast.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pink flowers
• Fairy lights
• Brown and pink fabric
• White mixing bowls
• Glass milk bottles
• White plastic flatware
• Pink paper napkins
• Brown ribbon
• Galvanized pail
• Pink and white plastic dishes

Dessert Party Decorations

1. Select a decadent dessert color scheme of rich chocolate brown with bright pink and white accents, like frosting on a cake.

2. Place bouquets of pink roses, carnations or peonies in large glass bowls around your party room.

3. String tiny fairy lights around the room and over doorways.

Dessert Party Buffet Table

1. Cover the buffet table with a long panel of brown fabric. Top with two squares of pink fabric, placed at an angle.

2. Fill two large white mixing bowls with ice and old fashioned glass bottles of milk.

3. Wrap white plastic flatware in pale pink napkins and tie with a piece of chocolate brown ribbon. Place each bundle in a small galvanized pail at one end of the table.

4. Use a mix of pink and white plastic plates and cups, stacked neatly at one end of the buffet table, next to the flatware.

Dessert Party Menu

1. Forgo fancy platters and serve dessert on polished aluminum baking sheets. Place paper doilies on each tray to dress them up just a bit.

2. Offer guests a soft dessert such as velvety smooth crème brule, light as air chocolate mousse or old fashioned bread pudding.

3. Serve a variety of towering layer cakes like devil's food cake, Black Forest cake or German chocolate cake.

4. Offer bowls of fresh fruit, including strawberries, raspberries and blueberries to add tang and texture to desserts.

5. Slice a New York-style cheesecake (pre-bought to save time) into small, bite sized squares. Top each square with a slice of fresh strawberry or kiwi fruit. Place on mini-cupcake liners to serve as "appetizers."

6. Offer a couple of red and white wines or a port that will go well with sweets. For non-alcoholic options, milk and coffee go nicely with dessert.