Dinner party dessert ideas

[TickledOnion]

Any ideas for a tasty but not too heavy dinner party dessert for 4? Starter and mains are Ottolenghi recipes so we will probably be stuffed. Thanks.

Forgot to mention it needs to be dairy free. I can use substitutes but don’t want to make something like cheesecake.

Something citrusy? Lemon torte or lemon posset?

Ah, ignore my suggestions 😂

Can you use eggs?

I thought lemon posset too!

And also didn’t read the bit about it needing to be dairy free !

If so, chocolate mousse? No need to put cream in it.

Eggs are no problem.

If your starter and mains are likely to be on the heavier side, i'd do a large platter of fruit, prepared and arranged so it looks pretty, and decorated with sprigs of mint.
EG pineapple and mango slices, sliced nectarines, small bunches of black grapes, peeled and sliced kiwi fruit, some berries.

If you can do eggs but not dairy I would do this mousse:

www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-olive-oil-mousse

It's very tasty, the salt really adds to it

If eggs are ok you can do a hot soufflé with a purée of cooked dried apricots, mixed with a little alcohol of some sort. Brandy or rum are good! (But not essential)
You combine the fruit purée with the egg yolks, fold in the stiffy whipped egg white and bake. You can do individual ones in cups if you like.
Serve with extra fruit purée, thinned down a little if necessary.

Apple charlotte?

Tarte tatin? (pastry made with non dairy spread)

You can get non-dairy ice creams to serve with any of the above, too.

I’d make a pavlova with non-dairy cream for the filling. Can be made in advance and is quite light.

This looks great www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/strawberry-rose-sorbet

What avoit something like this.

images.app.goo.gl/RBNfW9EBAFCJjGKZ7

If you've had a very heavy meal, I'd go with a selection of sorbets and would probably see about some very fancy (diary-free) biscuits to serve alongside. Or make your own sorbet - then you can get fancy and pick flavours/styles that would work with your overall meal.

Fruit salad drizzled with a little elderflower syrup.

Depends how smart you want to be and how much energy. I have before served up mini ice creams / ice lollies stuck upside down into a big bowl of ice & put in the middle of the table. because I had run out of energy before making pudding ( & puddings are not my thing ) - I may be kidding myself but it got a laugh and everyone can choose what they want ( dairy etc ) .

I do realise I may not be quite with the programme here.

Ice cream/ dairy free ice cream, crushed ginger biscuits, fruit puree and hot chocolate sauce made with blended cocoa powder and sugar. Its so quick and easy to make.

Nigella's honey and pistachio semi freddo.

Ive been looking for flame fruit recipes, you could sub butter for another fat as with the brown sugar and alcohol it should be fine

if everyone will be stuffed

fruit kebabs - chopped fruit on a kebab stick

or strawberries and other fruit dipped in dark chocolate melted and then arranged nicely with real Turkish delight ?

poached pears

Delia's summer fruit compote would fit the bill. Serve with dairy free ice cream ( I buy Swedish Glace vanilla if we have DF or vegan guests)
Easy to make, light, tasty and leftovers lovely cold with yogurt.