50 Party Dessert Ideas Perfect for a Crowd That Loves Sweet
Impress partygoers with an epic dessert spread.
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What party menu isn’t complete without a treat or two? While having a solid spread of easy appetizers, entrees, salads and delicious drinks is key to keeping guests happy, a party dessert is sure to leave your guests with a sweet memory of the epic bash you threw. From no-bake bites to show-stopping centerpieces (baked Alaska anyone?) these party dessert ideas will give you the inspiration you need to complete your festive menu.
Hosting a graduation party? We've got you! Dust air fryer donuts with the colors of your grad’s alma mater (using freeze-dried fruit powder!). Looking for dinner party recipes that will impress? You bet! Dig into rich chocolate caramel tarts, fluffy cheesecake, stunning molten lava cakes and more. Plus there are heaps of holiday party desserts that satisfy every palate, from decadent chocolate treats to light and citrusy bites.
We’ve even gathered our favorite sweets fit for a buffet (including no-bake lemon tartlets and cookie sandwiches made from store-bought shortcuts) that make for easy party dessert recipes or single-serve bites that your guests can munch on while mingling. And don’t forget about the kiddos! Kid-friendly recipes like s’mores-inspired treats and classic chocolate chip cookies will be a winner with every guest. Dig into delicious party desserts that will keep the festivities going!
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
Mashup two crowd-pleasing desserts in one with this no-bake showstopper.
Get the Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe.
RELATED: Try Other Delicious Lemon Desserts to Help Celebrate Warmer Weather
Speculoos Dippers
Don't skip the side of cookie butter when serving these spiced cookies — it makes dessert extra fun!
Get the Speculoos Dippers recipe.
Strawberry-Pistachio Cake Parfaits
This perfect strawberry dessert makes extra cake — ideal for tomorrow's breakfast!
Shortcut Mini Sufganiyot
Looking for an easy party dessert? Store-bought donuts and jam give you a shortcut for this classic Hanukkah sweet — but you should be making them all year round.
Get the Shortcut Mini Sufganiyot recipe.
Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake
Other party dishes taking up oven space? Lean on a creamy no-bake sweet, which is a family favorite of Chief Food Director, Kate Merker.
Get the Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake recipe.
Pull-Apart S'mores Sliders
Kids and adults will flock to the dessert table for a taste of this campfire-inspired dessert, which is so simple to make for a crowd.
Get the Pull-Apart S'mores Sliders recipe.
Best-Ever Chocolate Cake
There's a secret ingredient that makes this sheet cake extra tender and craveable (psst... it's mayo!).
Get the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe.
Jam Pie Bites
You're less than a handful of ingredients and a quick bake away from fruity treats that taste just like pie (but are so much easier to make!).
Get the Jam Pie Bites recipe.
Cherry Fro-Yo Pops
Introducing the ultimate summer dessert: cool, refreshing, packed with fresh cherries and only 5 ingredients.
Get the Cherry Fro-Yo Pops recipe.
Crispy Tortilla Bowls with Strawberries and Cream
Individual servings of berries and fresh whipped cream in edible cinnamon-sugar-dusted bowls? Count us in!
Get the Crispy Tortilla Bowls with Strawberries and Cream recipe.
Shortcut Baklava Wedges
Instead of using fussy phyllo, this sweet and nutty recipe relies on handy flour tortillas.
Get the Shortcut Baklava Wedges recipe.
Margarita Citrus Wedge Shots
Keep the party going with a dessert that doubles as a drink. Plus a top tip: use an electric juicer to make quick work of hollowing out citrus halves.
Get the Margarita Citrus Wedge Shots recipe.
Lavender Shortbread Wedges
No need to cut out individual cookies! This large-format shortbread is easy to make for a crowd and is full of our favorite spring flavors.
Get the Lavender Shortbread Wedges recipe.
RELATED: 40 Best Spring Desserts Perfect for Welcoming the New Season
Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treats
Upgrade this classic with brown butter, which adds a deep nuttiness, and finish them with a sprinkle of flaky salt.
Banana Pudding
Heading to a cookout? Give this potluck pudding a go! Make double the batch to ensure leftovers, because it will fly off the table.
Get the Banana Pudding recipe.
Maritozzi
These elegant Roman treats feature fluffy brioche buns filled with soft whipped cream. Set up a topping bar (freeze-dried fruit, nuts, you name it!) to let your party guests decorate their own.
Get the Maritozzi recipe.
Mini Grasshopper Pies
Use a couple of clever shortcut ingredients to whip up these minty frozen bites in a blast.
Get the Mini Grasshopper Pies recipe.
Deep-Fried Oreos
Take a trip to the State Fair in your own kitchen with gooey, golden brown bites.
Get the Deep-Fried Oreos recipe.
Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cakes
These deccadent chocolate cakes are the epitome of a dinner party dessert: your guests will be swooning, but only you will know how easy they were to make.
Tiramisu Dip
Spoon this Italian-inspired dip, rich with chocolate and coffee, into single-portion glasses or serve up family-style for a fun party treat.
Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe.
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