How to Host an Afternoon Dessert Party That’s Casual and Memorable | Wit & Delight

Earlier this year, we shared the first post in Wit & Delight’s entertainment series, “How to Host a Casual Dinner Party.” This series is a collaboration between me and a friend Lisa. As both avid hosts, we wanted to share our ideas for entertainment that was both intimate and special all at once. I’m so excited about the second installment of my fun series, “Dessert Party.”

Life is full in the weeks leading up to the end of the year. Finding time to connect with friends and family can fall by the wayside, especially during seasons when young children are a part of your daily routine.

Since working on this series, I’ve learned the joy of planning ahead. When you’re not making impromptu plans, it’s much easier to think of ways to cut down on effort and make things special. Lisa and I wanted to come up with a menu that would be suitable for an afternoon gathering. Think of afternoon tea time. However, dessert was also included. The concept is collaborative and fun, as you delegate recipes and responsibilities to friends.

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 divided among the guests so everyone can make something. This fun idea is perfect for the holiday season, but can be done any time of the year.

The advantage of this kind of party is that it is completely flexible. Even weekend afternoons or evenings are fine. The guest list can be intimate or large. You can sit around the dining table, or you can do what we did and simply gather around the coffee table in the living room. Our dessert party included:

come to the dessert party

guest list

There were 6 people on the dessert party guest list including me. I invited a few friends who like to bake and a few others who wanted to bring some tasty snacks. I think 6 people is the perfect number, but parties like this are great for growing or shrinking your guest list.

menu

Desserts are such an indulgence, so we designed our menu to include both sweet and savory options. Lisa developed recipes for each dessert. Some menu items require more time and skill. Sometimes all you need to do is go to the store. Three of us baked the desserts, three of us collaborated on the charcuterie board, and I served as the host and provided the bubbles.

For drinks, Billecart Brut Rose or something like a daily drink Il Mostro Frisante Bianco. If you can’t take it, try it dry wit pippi.

This time’s menu looked like this.

• Ricotta olive oil cake with cardamom, orange and pistachio butter
• Poached pears with whipped brie frosting and cinnamon oat crumble
• Tangy orange and chocolate shortbread cookies
• charcuterie committee
• foam

schedule

Almost everything can be done in advance, making it easy to put the finishing touches on the day of the party. For this type of party, you can involve your friends in each preparatory task, such as:

• Assembling a charcuterie board
• pear plating
• table setting
• start a fire
• light a candle
• pour a drink
• play their favorite playlists

A casual party like this allows everyone to relax and feel comfortable at home. Plan to be seated approximately 30-45 minutes after everyone has arrived.

If you don’t feel like preparing communally, set up a table (or a coffee table in front of the fireplace if you have one), start a fire, light some candles, and create a playlist in advance. When your friends arrive, grab a drink and invite them to leave a donation on the table. Once everything is plated, have each person share a little note about what they brought, like a delicious new cheese they found at the market or the process of putting frosting on a cake. I found myself talking about food with a friend. People who pay attention to what they eat to become beautiful.

The dessert party was short and the party with friends lasted for 2 hours (from 2pm to 4pm). We enjoyed a warm bonfire at home during prime time and got home an hour or two before dinner. After we separated, we each had our own busy days: one went to work, the other went to the supermarket, and the other went home to start dinner.

I love how easily sharing food with friends fits into everyday life.

There’s more! This fun series continues in 2025. We want to share ways to host no-cook lunches, al fresco dining, and intimate, sumptuous feasts, among other ideas. stay tuned!

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis so forever testing the limits of her creativity. Follow her on Instagram @witanddelight_.