Dessert Party-

Mrs_Lady

so my hubby and I are thinking of doing this for 20 people..thanks for answering...

which time frame is best:

 7-9PM OR 8-10PM

which dessert choices:

cupcakes, brownies, pie, fresh fruit dish

cake, brownies,fruit tart, fresh fruit dish

we will have hot cider, coffee, juice and H20 but-

Which beverage combo:

1 champagne cocktail and 1 non alcoholic spritzer

1 rum based drink and 1 non alcoholic spritzer

kimnelson09

My vote:

7-9

Dessert Option 1 but with fruit tartlettes instead of pie

Champagne cocktail

Gem17

kimnelson09:

My vote:

7-9

Dessert Option 1 but with fruit tartlettes instead of pie

Champagne cocktail

Ditto!  Sounds like fun!

cclilac12

Gem17:

kimnelson09:

My vote:

7-9

Dessert Option 1 but with fruit tartlettes instead of pie

Champagne cocktail

Ditto!  Sounds like fun!

Completely agree!

titicole

Are you including coffee?  That should be at least one option.

Sabrina121

I'd say 8:00 but I wouldn't put a end time....unless there's a reason why you want people out after 2 hours?

cupcakes, brownies, pie, fresh fruit

mmmmchampagne cocktail and non alcoholic spritzer.......are you having other alcholic drinks available though for people who don't drink champagne? wine? beer?

TarHeels&Rebels

I'm gonna be that person who just can't answer directly :P

Are your people late or early ppl?  DH and I eat at 6 every night and are in bed at 9 or 10.  Even on the weekend we're in bed by 10 or 11.  If your friends are a bunch of old fogies like us, make it early

Whatever you do for desserts, I'd make them small and portable.  Whenever I serve dessert (I'm always in charge for holidays and family gatherings), cakes and pies are the last to be touched.  Small things, like toffee, cheesecake bites, tartlets, etc, are the first to go.  I think that way your guests feel like they're being less of a piggy piggy than if they had to get a slice of everything, KWIM? lol  You can also come around with a tray and offer seconds and people won't feel bad having "one little piece".

I'd do the rum cocktail.  Rum cocktails can be made in advance; champagne cannot or it'll go flat.

Mrs_Lady

TarHeels&Rebels:

I'm gonna be that person who just can't answer directly :P

Are your people late or early ppl?  DH and I eat at 6 every night and are in bed at 9 or 10.  Even on the weekend we're in bed by 10 or 11.  If your friends are a bunch of old fogies like us, make it early

Whatever you do for desserts, I'd make them small and portable.  Whenever I serve dessert (I'm always in charge for holidays and family gatherings), cakes and pies are the last to be touched.  Small things, like toffee, cheesecake bites, tartlets, etc, are the first to go.  I think that way your guests feel like they're being less of a piggy piggy than if they had to get a slice of everything, KWIM? lol  You can also come around with a tray and offer seconds and people won't feel bad having "one little piece".

I'd do the rum cocktail.  Rum cocktails can be made in advance; champagne cannot or it'll go flat.

I would say no one hangs out late late anymore in general but we wanted to have it so people can come and go as they want but not have that one person stay 4 EVA...it will end up being a 3 hour party more likely on a Friday so people will want to come for a bit then leave

lsgarver

I'd choose 8 pm start and rum-based drink but we and our friends are "late people" and heavier drinkers.

I'll also be the special person and say that the types of dessert depend on two things: 1) how confident are you in your baking skills?  You can't sample a cake or a pie like you can sample a single-serve item so you should be pretty confident to offer them.  2) are you going for a homey feeling or a cocktail feeling?  Cutting yourself a sliver of cake or pie has a more down-home "baked good" feeling to me while cupcakes, tartlets and other finger desserts are grab and take.  To me, it's the dessert version of a full meal vs. heavy apps.