Over 30 easy party dessert recipes! From effortless no-bake treats to decadent make-ahead sweets, these easy party desserts bring the wow factor with minimal effort. Each recipe is designed to impress a crowd while keeping things stress-free and fun.
Packed with flavor, color, and crowd-pleasing appeal, these desserts are perfect for every celebration, from backyard barbecues to holiday feasts.
Crowd-Pleasing Easy Party Desserts
Here are my favorite easy party desserts to bring to a party. My favorite indulgent dessert recipes for your next dinner party!
Also, check out more than 60 of the best easy party appetizers to go with your desserts!
Super Easy Chocolate Sheet Cake
This chocolate sheet cake is incredibly moist and fluffy. It’s easy to make and always a crowd favorite. Serve it with or without frosting for a snackable treat.
Also, check out my chocolate orange cake – it’s filled with delicious orange flavor!
Easy Homemade Apple Crisp
A cozy dessert with a sweet apple filling and crunchy oat topping. This homemade apple crisp recipe is quick to make and pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Gingersnap Cookie Recipe
We are fans of serving warm cookies for gatherings! What makes this so easy is that you can make and prepare everything beforehand, even scoop the dough into balls and bake them 15 minutes before serving. There is nothing better than warm cookies as a dessert!
Here are more easy cookie recipes you can make for a party:
The Best Lemon Bar Recipe
These lemon bars are made with a buttery shortbread crust and a sweet-tart lemon filling, making them perfect for any occasion.
Ice Cream Sundae Sheet Cake
My ice cream sundae sheet cake recipe is always a hit! Made from boxed cake mixes, this cake is super moist and easy to make and decorate. If you’re up for it, drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the top.
Buttermilk Sheet Cake
This is another straightforward sheet cake recipe. You can make your own frosting or use store-bought chocolate frosting. Everyone will love this cake!
Also, try my lavender and funfetti sheet cake; they’re so delicious!
Chewy Vanilla Brownies
This is a beautiful party dessert and so flavorful! These brownies are chewy and filled with vanilla flavor. One of my favorite recipes!
Confetti cupcakes are fun and perfect for parties if you love recipes with colorful sprinkles!
Cherry Crisp Recipe
This cherry crisp recipe is mouth-watering and, incredibly simple to make. With a buttery and crunchy oat topping, it’s the perfect dessert for any gathering. Serve it warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ll have an effortless party dessert.
Pistachio Cake Recipe
This cake is made with yellow cake mix and pistachio pudding! It’s easy, super tender, and so good. You can even serve it without frosting and just a dusting of powdered sugar.
Easy No-Bake Party Desserts
These no-bake desserts keep your kitchen excellent for summer gatherings or quick party prep while delivering a big flavor.
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
An easy treat to make that everyone loves! These sweet and salty chocolate-covered pretzel rods are the perfect effortless party dessert that your guests will love. You can make them ahead of time and store them for later!
Dessert Charcuterie Board
Skip baking with a stylish dessert platter! Arrange an assortment of cookies, candy, and fresh fruit for a no-bake option that’s beautiful and easy to assemble.
Fresh Fruit Platter
Juicy, fresh fruit is an excellent idea for a healthier dessert. It’s light, sweet, and comes in all different flavors. Serve it with my yogurt fruit dip made with tangy lemon curd.
You can also make my fruit and cheese platter.
Boozy Coffee and Bourbon Milkshakes
These creamy milkshakes blend coffee, ice cream, and bourbon, creating an indulgent treat ready in minutes. Serve in small glasses with fun toppings for a delightful party dessert.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries don’t get enough credit! It is one of the easiest desserts to make, and they are so juicy and delicious.
Easy Cold Brew Coffee Floats
Cold-brew coffee floats are easy to make and a perfect, quick dessert for parties. The chocolate ice cream and cold coffee pair perfectly together.
Strawberry Sorbet
An easy no-bake sorbet recipe we created for California Strawberries. This recipe is easy to make and full of flavor. It’s the perfect, light after-dinner dessert.
No-Bake Cheesecake
This creamy, no-bake cheesecake is sweet, smooth, and effortless. With a rich filling and a buttery graham cracker crust (store-bought works great!), it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert. Top with fresh fruit or caramel for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat!
Cookie Milkshake
Milkshakes are an easy, no-bake dessert, and I love this cookie shake recipe.
Homemade popsicles are also an easy party dessert to make. They’re great because you can make them ahead of time, too!
Last-Minute Desserts for a Party
Running late? These desserts can be assembled quickly with minimal ingredients and are guaranteed to satisfy.
Ice Cream Sundaes
Grab a few toppings and let guests make their sundaes. You can also make a boozy ice cream tray with added liqueurs for adults.
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
These easy sandwiches are a hit with all ages and can be made in minutes using store-bought cookies and ice cream.
Mini Chocolate Fondue Platter
Pair melted chocolate with fresh fruit and cookies for a simple, decadent dessert. Great for dipping and sharing!
Dessert Tips for Easy Party Success
- Prep Ahead: Many of these desserts can be made a day before to save time on party day.
- Garnish with Flair: Top desserts with fresh fruit, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of zest for added color and style.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Simple desserts shine with quality ingredients, like fresh fruit, premium chocolate, and pure vanilla.
Easy Party Desserts for Holidays
Make these holiday-themed treats for seasonal celebrations.
Thanksgiving: Mini pumpkin pies or apple crisps.
Halloween: Festive pumpkin brownies or caramel apples.
Christmas: Classic holiday cookies, gingerbread men, or peppermint bark.
July 4th: Berry-topped cheesecakes or patriotic popsicles.
Tips for Making Easy Party Desserts
Here are tips for making these easy dessert recipes:
- Make any of the desserts the day before.
- Add garnishes like edible flowers, lemon zest, lime zest, or orange zest for more color.
- Serve with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
- Use good quality ingredients.
When to Serve Easy Party Desserts
Now that you have some easy party dessert recipes to make you’re ready to party! These crowd-pleaser recipes are great for many parties and occasions. Perfect dinner party desserts for a family gathering or simple desserts for a celebration, here are some occasions to serve easy party desserts:
Dessert Table
A dessert table is a great way to display desserts for a party. Place platters and cake stands filled with cookies, cakes, and pies on a table.
Add jars of candy, napkins, and plates.
For decorations add fresh flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a crowd-pleaser, opt for easy-to-transport desserts like chocolate raspberry pie with layers of chocolate, cream cheese, and raspberries, or a caramel apple tart topped with salted caramel.
People love these top 10 desserts: fudge, German chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, ice cream, apple pie, carrot cake, Jell-O, cupcakes, and cheesecake. Choose one for guaranteed success!
Classic favorites like berry peach cobbler, s’mores, ice cream, tiramisu, banana pudding, cheesecake, and cookies are always popular at parties.
What dessert you eat after dinner depends on what you had for your meal. If you had a heavy dinner, you’d want something light. Explore chocolate-dipped strawberries or a homemade sorbet if you have a meal on the heavier side.
You can explore more sumptuous desserts if you still need to get a heavy dinner. You can’t go wrong with a classic cheesecake. Take it to the next level by drizzling strawberry sauce over the top.
Another option is a classic affogato recipe.
For 30 guests, plan on one serving per person. If it’s a dessert bar, consider 2-3 pieces per guest, so everyone can try different options.
If offering standard cupcakes, plan for 1-2 per guest. For mini cupcakes, go for 2-3 each. Adjust based on other desserts available.
Estimate 3-5 cookies per person. Any extras can be stored in the freezer for a quick snack later!
I can’t wait to see what dessert you make! Let us know your thoughts, and try my recipe for the easiest affogato! Leave a comment and review below.
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Easy Party Desserts – Affogato
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 shot espresso , or 3 tbsp strong coffee
Instructions
- Scoop vanilla ice cream into a glass.
- Pour espresso or coffee over the top.
- Drizzle with caramel if you want!
