Earlier this year I shared the first post in my Wit & Delight entertainment series, “How to Host a Casual Dinner Party.” This series is a collaboration between me and my friend. lisa. Both passionate hosts wanted to share their ideas for accessible and unique fun in one place. I’m really looking forward to the second fun series, The Dessert Party!
Life is packed in the weeks leading up to the end of the year. Especially during the season when young children become a part of our daily routine, finding time to connect with friends and family can become neglected.
Since working on this series, I’ve learned the joy of planning ahead. When you’re not planning on the fly, it’s much easier to think of ways to reduce labor and make things special. Lisa and I wanted to create a menu suitable for an afternoon gathering. Think about afternoon tea time. But there’s also dessert. The idea is to delegate recipes and responsibilities to a friend, which is collaborative and fun!
What is a dessert party?
The idea of a dessert party is to enjoy desserts and snacks with friends and family. The menu can be casual and the workload can be split between guests so everyone can share. This fun idea is perfect for the holiday season, but you can do it any time of the year.
The advantage of this type of party is that it is completely flexible. This could be a weekend afternoon or evening. The guest list can be intimate or large. You can sit around the dining table, or like we did, around the coffee table in the living room. Here’s what our dessert party entailed:
Come… dessert party
guest list
Our dessert party guest list had six people, including myself. I invited a few friends who love to bake and a few friends who wanted to bring some yummy snacks. I think 6 is the perfect number, but parties like this lend themselves to increasing or decreasing the guest list.
menu
Desserts are so delicious that we designed the menu to include both sweet and savory items. Lisa developed each dessert recipe. Some menu items require more time and skill. Others can simply visit the store in person. Three people baked the desserts, three people collaborated on the charcuterie board, and I served as the host and provided the bubbles.
Drinks are recommended to be paired with something special. Billcard Brut Rose Or something like drinking every day. Il Mostro Frizzante Bianco. For those who don’t absorb it, try it dry wit beeper.
Our menu is as follows:
- Ricotta Olive Oil Cake with Cardamom, Orange and Pistachio Butter
- Poached Pear with Whipped Brie Frosting and Cinnamon Oat Crumble
- Zesty Orange and Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
- Charcuterie board
- bubble
schedule
Almost everything can be done ahead of time, making finishing up the day of the party a breeze. For this type of party, you can include your friends in each of the following preparation tasks:
- Assembling the charcuterie board
- pear plating
- table setting
- make a fire
- lighting candles
- pour a drink
- Post their favorite playlists
At a casual party like this, the feeling of being together makes everyone in the house feel comfortable and at ease. Plan to sit down about 30-45 minutes after everyone arrives.
If the communal prep process isn’t your thing, set the table (or a coffee table in front of the fireplace if you have a fireplace), build a fire, light some candles, and make a playlist ahead of time. When your friends arrive, invite them to grab a drink and place their contributions on the table. Once everything is plated, have each person write a little note about what they brought, whether it’s a delicious new cheese they found at the market or the process of piping frosting on the cake. I found myself talking about food with my friends. A person who is interested in food to become lovable.
The dessert party is short. This party lasted 2 hours (2-4pm) with friends. We had a warm fire in our house during golden hour and arrived home an hour or two before dinner. Each person had a busy day in their own way, with one person going to work, another going to the grocery store, and another going home to start dinner.
I love how sharing food with friends naturally integrates into everyday life.
There is more to come! This fun series continues in 2025. We want to share our tips for no-cook lunches, outdoor dining, and how to host an accessible, gourmet feast. Stay tuned!
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning tennis and will learn to play tennis for the rest of her life. Test the boundaries of her creative abilities. Follow her on Instagram. @witanddelight_.
