Looking for the perfect easy dessert to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen? We’ve got you covered with a variety of delicious and simple options that cater to every taste. From elegant fruit and chocolate platters to nostalgic instant puddings, these easy desserts will ensure you have more time to enjoy the company of your friends and family while still offering something sweet to end the meal.
Fruit and Chocolate
Our most favourite go-to easy dessert is a fruit and chocolate platter. Pick up a few things like strawberries, grapes, and a bit of dark chocolate. It takes just a couple of minutes to arrange them on a serving platter—or even just a chopping board. Not only is it quick, it looks great and it’s healthy! The combination of sweet fruit with dark chocolate is always a hit. We promise no one will complain or even notice it took literally 10 minutes; it’s a perfect, quick solution for gatherings.
Trifle
Trifle might not strike as the most easy dessert but it’s usually assembling ingredients rather than cooking, making it an excellent option if you want a homemade dessert without getting your kitchen dirty. A trifle is also a fantastic make ahead option as the sponge has more time to soak up flavours like fruit, jams, and custard. You can customise the flavour as much as you’d like. From traditional fruit and sherry to chocolate and caramel or lemon and blueberry, the components of a trifle can be customised to cater to you or your guest preferences, the theme or the season. A good recipe can be found here.
Sundae Bar
A good easy dessert option is to put on a sundae bar. This setup requires minimal preparation: provide 1-2 flavours of ice cream and an assortment of toppings such as chocolate or caramel sauce, chopped nuts, various fruits, sprinkles, M&Ms, and mini marshmallows. By offering a variety of choices, you cater to different preferences and dietary needs, while your guests get to personalise their desserts. It’s a creative way to engage everyone and makes for a memorable part of the evening with very little effort on your part.
Dessert liquors
For a sophisticated yet easy dessert, consider a dessert liqueur. Kahlua, Baileys, or Limoncello served in a low-ball glass are elegant and dead-simple to serve, either neat, over ice, or over ice-cream for a special treat. You can even pair the liqueur with the dinner party menu – like limoncello for pizza night, Baileys for a rich chocolate dessert, or Kahlua for a coffee-flavoured finish. These liqueurs can also be used to create simple cocktails, adding a touch of flair without the fuss. Your guests will appreciate the thoughtful pairing and the sophisticated touch it brings to the end of the meal.
Cheese
If you need something both fancy and easy, serving a selection of cheeses might be just the right choice. Opt for a variety of cheeses to cater to different palates—soft cheeses like brie, sharper options like Danish blue, or a semi-hard cheese like gouda work well. Pair these with some classic sweet accompaniments like figs and grapes, maybe some honeycomb, crackers, and a selection of nuts. Skip bread and crackers here, this is time to let the cheese shine. This setup not only looks impressive but is also as simple as opening a few cheeses. You can read our post on serving cheese for dessert here.
Instant Pudding
Instant pudding is a great go-to for those last-minute dessert needs. It’s easy and quick to prepare, which is perfect if you’re pressed for time. Plus, it’s simple to jazz up; just top it with some fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate it a bit. There’s also a nice touch of nostalgia with instant pudding, as it often reminds people of childhood dessert.
Buy it.
Ain’t no shame in it. Your friends will be thrilled there was dessert, full stop. Grocery store frozen apple pie, premade tiramisu or a specially ordered cake from your local bakery – all of these are great options, and the lowest effort
No matter the occasion, having a few easy dessert ideas up your sleeve can make entertaining so much easier. Whether you choose to go with a sophisticated dessert liqueur, a creative sundae bar, or even a store-bought treat, these options will satisfy any sweet tooth with minimal effort. Embrace the ease and enjoy more time with your guests, knowing you have a selection of easy desserts that everyone will love.