Dessert is one of those sweet pleasures people look forward to. There have been those who will eat dessert first and their meal last, because of the love desserts. So how do you supply enough sweets to please a crowd of potential dessert lovers?

Before you go and take out a loan to satisfy the cravings of sweet-toothed people, or drive yourself to wits end preparing extravagant creations, stop and think. Consider cheaper and easier was to prepare desserts for crowds. I have found some tried and true treats which will please any crowd and satisfy most everyones need for dessert.

One of the best desserts I have found is cookies. Cookies made by the dozens can be an inexpensive way to feed your crowd. You can make a plethora of varieties: Chocolate Chip, Pecan, Sugar, Snickerdoodles, Sandies, Peanut Butter, Pumpkin and so on. If you feel they aren't elegant enough, dress them up with a topping or add special treats to the dough like nuts, or candy for an added surprise. Build a cookie sandwich with creamy middles. The kids and grownup kids will enjoy it.

Another treat fun to make and is a crowd pleaser is "Punch Bowl" cake. Get a yellow or white cake mix, cool whip, canned cherries, and canned crushed pineapple. Nuts are optional. Follow the directions for making the cake and after the cake is done, break it up and arrange a portion of it in the bottom of a punch bowl. You then start layering with the cool whip, canned cherries and canned pineapples, (nuts if desired) and another layer of cake and so on. keep repeating until all the ingredients are placed inside the punch bowl. This can be adjusted to accommodate a crowd easily and it is not that expensive to make.

Who doesn't love a brownie? Brownies satisfy those in the crowd who are chocolate lovers. These are easily made in an 9x11 baking dish. A little bit goes a long way with these sweet pleasing treats, especially when you add a layer of frosting, canned cherries, and crushed nuts. By making four or five dishes of these, it wont leave anyones sweet-tooth unsatisfied.

If the gathering isn't a huge formal affair, you could make popcorn balls with a variety of flavors. Perhaps a bouquet of suckers put together by a bow. Making cupcakes by the dozen, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry topped off with sprinkles, frosting, and small pieces of fruit. Fun, easy, and affordable.

These are a few ideas I have tried and found success with. Don't be afraid to search outside the box when it comes to ideas for desserts. Especially when feeding a large crowd. Be creative and just give yourself enough time to get things done. Most times the simplest sweets seem to be the crowd pleaser's.

Learn more about this author, Melissa R. Bickel.
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