Old fashion euro fruit cake. That will spice up party. :rant-rave:

“ traditional recipes are saturated with liqueurs or brandy and covered in powdered sugar”

At our age, with everyone watching what they eat due to pre diabetes and diabetes, I would suggest appetizer rather then just desserts. No one wants to fill up on desserts.

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Whenever we are invited to a gathering and tasked to bring a dessert, I usually make a Baklava. It's a recipe that my daughter and I "perfected" several years ago. I have several Greek friends that say it's the best they have ever tasted. I've attached the recipe. People have a tendency to think that this is a difficult dessert to make. It is not. Having made this many times, I can have the syrup made (and cooling) and the baklava assembled and in the oven in 35 minutes. Give it a try. Also, Walmart has the phyllo dough if you can't find it elsewhere. I think the idea making your own dough is what can make this seem difficult. Don't even think about doing that. Buy the dough.

What? Speak for yourself. Everyone I know loves desserts and would love a party like this!

Personally, I would be very disappointed if I went to a dessert party and things were not homemade. I can go and buy sweet items anywhere - the same as you can. Why have a dessert party if it is not going to be special treats. Respect your guests and make something they will enjoy. I'd rather have 1 piece of homemade pie instead of 10 selections of store bought items.

Dessert tray from Publix ….

So spur of the moment, party for small group of friends, or full blown neighborhood invite. I am not a fan of any baked goods from grocery in TV. Small group I would serve 2-3 homemade bite size cupcakes, brownies, cookies.
Large group organized dessert menu sign up sheet. Everyone brings something to enjoy.

Dessert Party
 

Bundtinis are a hit!

All of this sounds good and I would add:
Melons either sliced or chunks
A berry medley
Home made cookies - chocolate chip is always a hit.
Perhaps making a bourbon cream sauce which would be good over fruit, bread pudding or ice cream.

Recipe for bourbon sauce from Epicurious.
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons bourbon
Pinch of salt

Melt butter in sauce pan. Whisk in remaining ingredients. Simmer til it thickens while whisking (about 3 minutes). Serve warm or cool.

I would make Pavlova, various flavored no bake cheesecakes, and probably panna cotta with a passion fruit topping.

Sprouts has gluten free mini eclairs and cream puffs in the frozen section and they are delicious.

I think you may mean "Nothing Bunt Cakes". They don't burn them.

Great idea to add more fruits. Chopped in nice chunks, guests can choose to make a fondue plate. They can use the sauces to dip their fruits. (Add a cheesecake dipping sauce) Or, for those who do not want extra calories, just a melody of fruits to munch on.

Your bread pudding idea sounds Yummilicious!

Btw: a smores dip would be a great addition. Very simple to make.

Spanish Cream
 

My mother used to make Spanish Cream for special guests. It was simply a sponge cake base in a 13x9 glass pan. Then saturated with whiskey and topped with a thick layer of hand-whipped whip cream. I secretly tried a taste when I was about 10, which is probably why I don't drink anything alcoholic nowadays.

A selection of cheeses - go for something out of the ordinary that your guests may not have tried before