Dessert Potluck Birthday Party: You Only Live Once, Eat Dessert First

When dessert is the only course you are serving for your party, a well-balanced, thoughtful assortment of sweets is necessary. Ensure there is something for everyone with our guidelines:

1. Two or three chocolate-based dishes

Consider: Fudge Brownies, Chocolate Cake,

2. At least one type of cheesecake

Consider: Regular Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Oreo Cheesecake

3. Two fruit or berry-based dishes

Consider: Banana Bread Pudding, Fruit Tartlets, Apple Pie

4. One or two nut-based desserts

Consider: Maple Pecan Pie, Baklava, Almond Crescent Cookies

5. A few Classics

Consider: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Rice Krispie Treats, Brownies, Cupcakes, an Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Who Should Bring What?

When you send out your invitations for the party, outline your five different types of dessert. Then, ask each guest to respond back to you with a claim on one category of dessert. Allow two or three guests to choose each category to create a great assortment for everyone to enjoy.

Setting It All Up

For guests who are bringing small, individual serving desserts like cookies, tartlets and cupcakes, set out pretty platters and serving plates on your dessert table so they can easily transfer their dessert upon arrival. This will also keep a continuity in the look of the dessert table for pretty presentation.

In lieu of regular floral arrangements and standard birthday decor, put the spotlight on your sweet theme. Create fanciful candy trees and edible arrangements that will delight your guests:

Candy Trees & Wreath:

1. First, purchase styrofoam tree forms from a local craft store. Also purchase one styrofoam wreath form.

2. Next, purchase bags of rock candy (the kind that comes on a wooden stick) or lollipops in bulk.

3. Unwrap all of the lollipops or rock candy. If you purchased rock candy, cut off the wodden balls at the end of the stick.

4. Begin inserting the rock candy sticks or lollipops into the styrofoam until the entire tree or wreath is covered.

5. Display your trees as decor for your dessert table.

6. Use a 1-inch thick satin ribbon to hang the candy wreath from your front door to welcome guests.

Edible Arrangements:

1. Bake two or three batches of large (4 inches in diameter) sugar cookies. Before baking them, insert 6 inch long mini wooden dowels into one end of the cookie. Make sure you have well-buttered the pan so the cookies do not stick to the bottom.

2. Allow cookies to cool completely before removing them from the pan.

3. Coat the cookies with a Sugar Cookie Glaze that will dry to a hard, shiny finish.

4. Use decorating frosting to draw birthday pictures and write birthday phrases on the cookies. You can draw presents, candles, birthday hats, party blowers and the age of the birthday person. Write phrases like "Make a Wish", "Happy Birthday" and "Blow out the Candles".

5. When all the frosting is dried and has set, fill a pretty silver or crystal bowl with rock salt (simply buy a large box of ice-cream salt from the grocery store). Insert the cookie sticks all the way down so they are secure in the rock salt. Make even rows with the cookies so they look neat. Place these bowls as table centerpieces around your home for the party.