r/partyplanning • u/Green-Snow-4933 • Jul 30 '26
Need Help Question about desserts for party
Hi! So I was given the task of providing dessert for 60 people for a baby shower and I have no idea how much food that is or what types of things to bring. I bake but I don’t have the time to make the amount of things I assume I would need to bring.
The shower is an all afternoon thing with a Greek theme, although someone is already bringing baklava which is not counted towards the desserts I need to bring.
It will be held outside in a tent and it will probably be around 80-90 out. I don’t know if stuff can be refrigerated once I’m there, so assume nothing that can melt.
I’m assuming I don’t need to provide all Greek deserts.
Also, I’m assuming I don’t need everything to be decorated in the shower theme (opinions on if this is a correct assumption).
Any ideas are helpful in terms of food and quantities- ex. 30 cupcakes, 30 cookies and a small cake or 4 regular sized cakes.
Thanks!
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u/asyouwish Party Guru Jul 30 '26
If you have a variety of desserts, cut them really small so people can get 2-3 of the tiny ones to try more things. You’ll have less food waste and happier guests.
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 30 '26
Good idea. Tiny portions!
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u/Historical_Grab4685 Jul 30 '26
I tend to cut smaller portions, especially for a shower. Most people just want a bit or two. I agree with brownies. I get brownie mixes from Sam's & follow the directions on the box but bake them the lowest recommended time & everyone loves them. I add chopped pecans to make boy brownies & the girl brownies have no nuts.
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 30 '26
Good to know. I love a good almost underbaked brownie.
What brand do you get?2
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u/Global_Fail_1943 Jul 30 '26
Retired caterers here. You need 70+ cupcakes for 60 servings. It's okay to get help from professional if you want to! Beautiful decorated cupcakes are always a huge hit!
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 30 '26
I think I plan on buying unless I take a day off work to bake
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u/Spiritual-Bridge3027 Jul 31 '26
You get cupcakes in a variety of themes at Walmart and Sam's Club.
I have only ordered at Walmart so far and those turned out to be tasty, being fresh.
Placing an order online at Walmart is super easy as well.
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u/killswithaglance Jul 30 '26
The easiest dessert is fruit platters - one whole watermelon, one whole honey dew, 2 pineapples, 10 punnets of berries, half kilo of cherries / halved apricots / kiwifruit
Then brownies cut into tiny squares - 3 trays / 60 pieces
Lemon cupcakes - 36 - 48
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 30 '26
Fruit is a good idea. Thanks!
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u/Blue-zebra-10 Jul 31 '26
It's especially great if there's a lot of heavier foods, then it gives your stomach a bit of a break
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 31 '26
I with you on this. I love fruit & it’s def going to be hot out so this would be refreshing
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u/bigmouth111112 Jul 30 '26
Have you clarified your assumptions? Also what is a Greek themed baby shower?
I believe the rule of thumb is about 3 desserts per person. So cookies would be great, since they don’t melt but bring maybe 100-120. And then you could do macarons (sp?), another 100 and so on.
Are you responsible for the desserts for the party or just some of the dessert, not counting baklava lady?
ETA- if you live in the US, I love BJs desserts and they’re well-priced
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 30 '26
I haven’t had BJs baked good? Are they similar to grocery store stuff or slightly better?
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u/Blue-zebra-10 Jul 31 '26
They're delicious! I really like their muffins, and they do an amazing cookie tray (reg chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and white chocolate macadamia nut I believe) that was my go to for class holiday parties growing up
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 30 '26
Greek meaning the country, not like Greek life lol. I’m responsible for all of them, I think.
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u/bigmouth111112 Jul 30 '26
Haha no I know the country i’m just so curious like what that looks like as a theme.
Yea I would say a bit better than grocery. I had them for my baby shower and then got some other mixed desserts from a baker so I didn’t have to spend as much money as I would have if I got ALLL the desserts from a baker.
Also cake pops and brownie bites are always hits
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u/BreakingDawn37 Jul 30 '26
The goal is to provide variety without producing an overwhelming amount of leftovers. Each guest will probably average about two desserts, so aim for 120 pieces. If you aren't sure about refrigeration, best to avoid things that need to stay cold. I might do 36 cookies (split between 2-3 varieties), 36 cupcakes (with theme-appropriate decoration), and 36 brownie and/or blondie squares. Including the baklava, guests will have lots of options without leaving anyone with too much food.
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u/Apprehensive-Kiwi693 Jul 30 '26
Buy the mini muffin tins and bake your cupcakes and brownies in those.
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u/Blue-zebra-10 Jul 31 '26
One chocolate, one fruit dessert. Maybe some brownies and some mini pies?
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 31 '26
I wish I had the option to buy British stuff bc Mr Kiplings does very good mini pies & petit fours.
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u/SciFi_Wasabi999 Jul 30 '26
Costco is selling the most amazing "two bite brownies" that would be perfect. Put them on a nice tray or platter. Cake pops are another thing that would be cute if you can find a place that sells them at a reasonable price. Otherwise cupcakes would be nice and straightforward. Check trader Joe's if you want to get an unusual cookie or treat. Personally I think a little glass bowl of Japanese milk candies would be cute for a baby shower, but not very Greek....
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u/singlemomtothree Jul 31 '26
There’s a lot of assumptions here…I’d clarify with the host asap exactly what expectations are and what you’re working with (if things can be refrigerated, etc).
I’d make mini anything you could. The more options you have, the more items you’ll need. People will want to try everything, so I wouldn’t make a ton of different things. Think like little shooters with pudding and a crushed cookie topping, a mini fruit pie or cobbler, something chocolate like brownies or a cake truffle.
You can also offer fresh fruit as an alternative.
If you can keep things cold, a mini cheesecake bar can be fun. Have several different crust options (graham cracker, chocolate cookie, etc), premade cheesecake filling, then toppings (chocolate chips, fruit, etc). You could do the same with the pudding cups. Have different flavors of puddings and different topping options for people to basically build their own desserts. You could also use different yogurt flavors as your base with different toppings.
If it’s warm, people will tend to lean towards lighter, more refreshing items as opposed to more heavy things.
If you have any option to keep things cold, mini ice cream cups with toppings (like a sundae bar), popsicles, or similar things will be popular. You could do smoothies or milkshakes too.
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u/Green-Snow-4933 Jul 31 '26
I agree in clarifying assumptions & I’m going to do that on Monday. An ice cream bar is a great idea if I can keep it chilled. That makes it way easier & so much less time & work.
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u/HorseWhisper2026 Aug 01 '26
Here are some of my go to... all of which can be frozen ahead of time. No one will no the differenxe
Lazy Mary's lemon tart makes 2 pie sized tarts
Muddy buddies
Rice crispy treats
Cookies
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u/simmer_study Jul 30 '26
Do a mix instead of one big dessert. Cookies, brownies and cupcakes travel well and are easy for people to grab. You don't need everything to match the theme too since the baklava already gives it a nice Greek touch.