Panic stations! Ideas for desserts to bring to family gathering

[TuTu]

DH just casually mentioned that we have been asked to bring the desserts to a family gathering at the weekend. Needs to be enough to feed 26 people !! And of course because it is for family, pride wont let me just buy ready made desserts.
Please help as I have never made any desserts before apart from fresh fruit salad!

Decided to buy in a backup ready made pavlova.....but curiosity got the better of us all this evening and there are now just a few crumbs of it left !
Am going to be brave tomorrow and try to make my own and go for the eton mess option, if pavlova looking ropey. Will also have a go at maybe the trifle and one of the other suggestions above, and then buy in another ready made so at least one will be edible.

Do take your fresh fruit salad though - if it's what you do, and you're confident about it, you should bring it.

Anyway, food, pudding, blah blah - what are you wearing ?

LOL... probably something loose fitting given that I will want to try each of the desserts to check edible!

Attagirl

MrsMuddle, I will find it out so that it is accurate and post it on food/recipes soon. Yum! It's not for anyone on a diet though - sadly.

cupcakes get my vote, Nigella's recipe works beautifully

Your own weight in profiteroles. Then you can take a ton of cream and whip it when you get there, and a vt of chocolate sauce for pouring.

pavlova may not survive journey as it is a bit delicate (in my family, someone would inevitably sit on it in car) - tho i suppose you could convert it into eton mess if someone does....
i would do one chocolatey thing (chocolate never fails) that can be done in advance like a chocolate tart.
and one fruity thing - summer pudding maybe? looks quite festive covered in cream, can be made in advance, travels ok.
and maybe something lighter like a syllabub which can be quickly knocked up on site if you take cream, booze and some fruit (passionfruit is nice, or just lemons).
OR just do a massive load of brownies (maybe a mix of white chocolate and normal, or some with cherries in, or whatever) on a huge platter possibly with a birthday cake candle stuck in each if you want to make an entrance. and then a big bowl of strawberries and blueberries on the side for dieters, children and any weirdo who doesnt like chocolate.