Desserts are an integral part of any dinner party or gathering. According to research, 88% of millennials often prefer to have more than a bite of dessert after every meal. That is almost three times more than any other generation group. Meanwhile, a OnePoll survey also indicated that many people believe desserts are important for entertaining guests. So, are you having guests anytime soon? Choosing the perfect dessert can be challenging, especially when hosting guests with different tastes and preferences. However, the tips below can help you make the right choice.
How To Choose The Best Desserts For Your Guests | Lifestyle
Consider dietary restrictions
Many people have special dietary needs today, and ensuring everyone can enjoy the meal without fear of getting sick is important. According to a Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) survey, about 32 million Americans have food allergies. Before choosing your desserts, knowing that food allergies are increasingly common is crucial. More people have discovered unknown allergies over the years. It is worth noting that some people may not even know about these food allergies until they are exposed. Therefore, if you are hosting a dinner party and one of your guests is allergic to gluten, you could opt for gluten-free desserts. That will include options like a flourless chocolate cake or a fruit crumble made with gluten-free oats. Considering your guests’ dietary needs can ensure everyone has a great time and feels included in the festivities. Other dietary restrictions to consider are vegan and lactose intolerant. Knowing all these will help you pick desserts that everyone can enjoy without worries.
Keep the dessert choice simple
It is easy to get carried away when planning for your guests, which may result in you choosing complex and fancy desserts. However, that is not always necessary. A simple dessert can be just as delicious and impressive. You can choose easy desserts, such as fruit tarts, chocolate, a super indulgent Mississippi mud cake, mousse, or ice cream. You can also add a personal touch by decorating the desserts with fresh fruit cuts or edible flowers.
Choosing a simple dessert doesn’t mean it has to be boring or unimpressive. You can save time and reduce stress in the kitchen by choosing simple desserts. For example, if you are hosting a summer barbecue, you could choose a fruit salad with fresh seasonal fruits and a simple honey-lime dressing. Not only is this dessert easy to prepare, but it’s also a refreshing and healthy option that your guests will appreciate.
Pair with the main course
Another great tip when choosing desserts for entertaining guests is to pair them with the main course. For instance, if you are serving a rich and heavy main course, choose a lighter dessert, such as a fruit salad or sorbet. On the other hand, if you are serving a lighter main course, you can choose a richer and more indulgent dessert, such as a chocolate cake or cheesecake. With the latter options, you can go heavy on the garnishing to make your dessert the perfect option against a light meal. Again, pairing your desserts with the main course is a great way to create a cohesive and well-rounded meal.
Another thing to consider is how the chosen dessert complements the flavors of the main course and provides a satisfying end to the meal. For example, if you are serving a spicy Indian curry, you could choose a cooling and refreshing dessert like mango lassi or kulfi, an Indian-style ice cream. It will help balance the flavors and prevent your guests from feeling overwhelmed by the spiciness of the main course.
Offer variety
Offering a variety of desserts is an excellent way to cater to your guests’ diverse tastes and preferences. You can ensure that everyone finds something they love by providing a selection of desserts. For example, you could set up a dessert bar with various sweet treats, such as chocolate truffles, mini fruit tarts, and cheesecake bites. That allows your guests to pick or choose their favorites. It also makes for an attractive and visually appealing display.
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Offering various kinds of desserts shows your guests that you have put thought and effort into creating a memorable and enjoyable dining experience. Admittedly, presenting a variety of desserts would mean putting in more money to create that delightful dessert bar. Whether you contract a chef to do so or prepare the desserts yourself, there will be an increased financial commitment. Therefore, be certain you can afford those varieties before settling on your choices for guests.
Hope you enjoyed this helpful guide on how to choose desserts for guests.
Now it’s time for you guys to chime in.
How do you choose desserts when people visit your home?
Let me know in the comments below!
I like how mindful you are about putting your guests interests and tastes at the forefront in this post. Any good host should make it a priority to put in the best party possible while making their guests feel right at home while not at home. Thanks so much for sharing!
Great ideas. I really like the dessert bar idea. I might give this a go for Easter dinner 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration.
I always pair desserts with the main course. I think it’s a good strategy.
Very useful tips. Keeping dietry restrictions of guests are very important while choosing desserts for them.
I love it! As an event planner, I know it’s important to consider budget constraints before finalizing dessert choices, to ensure that you don’t overspend and stay within your means while still providing a delightful dessert bar.
These looks sooooo good! I love the idea of a dessert bar, that is so cool!
Oh wow. I refuse to look at these images. The first one was hard to miss and I am feeling very vunerable right now LOL.