All the deliciousness with none of the faff
Every good dinner party should end with a gorgeous dessert. Whether that's something you've made ahead of time, or something you whip up quickly at short notice, we've got recipes for every occasion, craving and season.
The best thing about these recipes is that they look impressive and taste amazing, but are easy enough to make so you don't stress yourself out before your guests arrive.
What makes the perfect dinner party dessert?
One of our top dinner party hosting tips is to get organised and choose a recipe ahead of time, and prep as much as you can before your dinner party starts. This way, you'll spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen. One of our favourite prep-ahead options is an ice cream dish like our strawberry and ginger semifreddo. You can even make this a couple of days in advance and whip it out ten minutes before serving.
If you want something with a little more pizzazz, our co*cktail-inspired p*rnstar martini pavlova makes a stunning centrepiece. Serve with Prosecco for the full effect.
For something that'll please everyone, you can't beat our easy flourless chocolate cake with cherries and whipped soured cream. It's suitable for gluten-free guests and feels rich and indulgent. While cherries are the most delicious fruit to pair with chocolate, you can adapt this recipe for the seasons and use whatever fruit is at its best.
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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Flourless chocolate cake with cherries and whipped soured cream
Catering for gluten-free guests? This is the cake for you. It's rich, indulgent an decidedly grown-up. The addition of fresh cherries and whipped soured cream takes the edge off the sweetness and makes for an all-round stunning dinner party dessert.
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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.
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Rhubarb and custard tart
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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Roasted strawberry and ginger semifreddo
A semifreddo is the ultimate make-ahead dinner party pudding. This recipe uses roasted strawberries to add an extra depth of flavour, as well as stem ginger for a little heat and spice. Turn it out of the tin and slice for an easy, delicious hosting pud.
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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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Vin Santo grilled peaches
If you love a barbecue with friends, this is the dessert for you. Simply grill fresh peaches and serve with chunks of honeycomb, sage and crème fraîche. If you like, Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine, is the perfect drinks pairing.
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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.
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Eton mess ice cream
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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Matcha ice cream with black sesame praline
Matcha iced lattes are all the rage this summer, so why not transform the trend into an elegant dessert? Served with an easy black sesame praline, it sounds like it could be fine dining, but is actually a total breeze to make.
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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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