The best dinner party dessert recipes for easy entertaining
All the deliciousness with none of the faff
By Louella Berryman
A good dinner party dessert has to look impressive, taste amazing and be easy enough to make that you don't stress yourself out before your guests arrive. Tall order? No, not when you follow one of these recipes.
From a bright and zesty lemon drizzle tiramisu to easy no-churn espresso martini ice cream and a sticky banoffee brioche bread and butter pudding, there's a sweet treat for every occasion and taste in our selection of no-fuss desserts.
So, next time you have a hosting date in your calendar, forgo the last minute dash to M&S and impress your guests with one of these easy, delicious, dinner party desserts.
Best dinner party dessert recipes
Lemon drizzle tiramisu
Give classic tiramisu a zesty makeover with our lemon drizzle take on the traditional Italian pudding. Topped with lemon curd for an extra boost of brightness, it'll look gorgeous on any table.
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Espresso martini ice cream
This creamy coffee ice cream requires no churning whatsoever, making it one of our go-to options for a dinner party dessert. Serve with an extra shot of espresso for an affogato-style pudding that's sure to perk up your guests.
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Limoncello lemon meringue pie
This towering pile of meringue makes the most stunning end to any meal. The limoncello-spiked lemon curd is the pièce de résistance of this surprisingly easy-to-make dish.
Bring together the retro flavour combination of rhubarb and custard with an elegant tart for a dinner party-worthy pudding. Serve with a dollop of fresh vanilla cream or even extra custard, if you like.
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Eton mess pots
These cute Eton mess pots are the ultimate make-ahead dinner party pud. They're best in the summer, but you can switch out strawberries for different seasonal fruits throughout the year for a super easy dessert.
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Vienetta parfait
Reimagine this minty retro classic with drizzled dark chocolate, chopped hazelnuts and creamy peppermint ice cream layers. Did we mention this dessert only has five ingredients?
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Banoffee brioche bread and butter pudding
Cross banoffee pie with a buttery, rich brioche bread and butter pudding and you'll get the most indulgent yet easy to throw together pudding for your next dinner party.
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Raspberry frangipane tart
Tart raspberries and fragrant almond frangipane filling make the perfect pair in this pretty almond-topped tart recipe.
Turn the British summertime classic into an easy no-churn ice cream by creating a double cream and condensed milk base for the fresh fruit and meringue pieces to sit in. Serve with fresh summer fruits and chopped nuts for a sundae effect.
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p*rnstar martini pavlova
Turn this bright orange passionfruit-adorned co*cktail into a show stopping dinner party centrepiece with a towering meringue, pillowy white chocolate cream and bright flecks of lime zest.
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Baked lemon cheesecake
This zesty cheesecake has a Lotus Biscoff biscuit base that complements the sharp lemon and raspberry cheesecake filling perfectly.
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Rhubarb and custard tiramisu
Make the most of rhubarb season by bringing together the bright pink fruit with silky custard and nutty pistachios in this super pretty dinner party pudding.
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Cornflake tart with chocolate custard
Transport your guests back to childhood with this traditional cornflake tart. It's a no-bake pudding with minimal fuss, and we'd seriously recommend whipping up the accompanying easy chocolate custard for extra indulgence.
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Blackberry tahini cake
There's no better way to end a meal than this cake, especially when blackberries are in season. The nutty, creamy icing pairs perfectly with the delicate black fruit. It's also delicious with a cup of earl grey.
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Lemon drizzle ice cream sandwiches
Sandwich zesty ice cream between slices of classic lemon drizzle cake for a fun way to end any dinner party feast.
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Espresso martini cake
If your favourite way to end a meal is with a round of espresso martinis, then this co*cktail-themed cake will be a winner at your next soirée.
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Stock essentials at home. It's easier to invite people over at the last minute if you don't have to shop for supplies. Keep a running inventory of foods that can be brought out at a moment's notice, such as items that may go on a charcuterie platter.
Fill guests in on the plans when they arrive — when dinner should be ready, who else is coming and where the bathroom is. As the host, you set the tone for the evening. Guests will feel your tension, so if you aren't relaxed, guests will feel tense and unwelcome. Make sure everyone is comfortable.
To enhance the overall experience, consider incorporating themed activities or entertainment into your dinner party. This could be a quiz, a trivia game, live music, or even a cooking demonstration related to the theme. These activities create a lively and engaging atmosphere for your guests.
Avoid scented items like flowers or scented candles (which aren't to everyone's tastes), and don't bring your own dish, which takes attention off the host's cooking. Arrive 15 minutes late, indulge your host's requests, and offer to help clean up in order to secure the invite to the next dinner party.
"Some of my personal favorites are paper co*cktail napkins, a tin of Louis Sherry chocolates, or a unique candle," recommends Strait. "It is fun to bring something the host might not pick up for themselves! A gift for a host does not have to break the bank, it just shows you appreciate them for hosting."
Every one choses a favorite thing (that's $5 or less) and brings five of them to the party.Then everyone puts their name in a bowl five times. (Alternatively – everyone can two identical favorite things that are $10 or $20 and then you put your name in the bowl 2 times instead if you want nicer gifts).
You can do this in a number of ways: You could buy or write conversation cards to spark discussion over dinner, plan a game to allow people to get to know each other better, or prepare an activity everyone can participate in. These steps will elevate your dinner party and create a meaningful experience.
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