When planning a dinner party, choosing the right dessert can make all the difference to your guests’ experience. You want something that tastes delicious, looks appealing, and won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen for hours.
These 5 Waitrose desserts hit the perfect balance between impressive and easy to prepare, making them ideal for your next gathering. They help take the stress out of entertaining so you can focus on enjoying the evening with your guests.
Classic Panna Cotta with Berry Compote
You can easily impress your guests with a classic panna cotta from Waitrose. This dessert is silky smooth and has a gentle vanilla flavour that pairs beautifully with a fresh berry compote.
The rich creaminess of the panna cotta balances perfectly with the slightly tangy berries, giving you a lovely contrast in every bite.
If you want a simple yet elegant dessert for your dinner party, this is a great choice. You can prepare it in advance, making your evening stress-free and enjoyable.
Find the full recipe for the best panna cotta at Waitrose’s website.
Salted Caramel Tart
You’ll love how easy this tart is to make. It has a crisp chocolate base that adds a lovely texture to the smooth salted caramel filling.
The rich chocolate ganache on top balances the sweet and salty flavours perfectly. It’s a great dessert to serve when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
This tart is perfect for any dinner party and can be enjoyed by both chocolate and caramel fans. Find the recipe for this quick salted caramel and chocolate tart at Waitrose.
Lemon Posset with Shortbread
You’ll love how simple lemon posset is to make. It uses just cream, sugar, and lemon juice, which naturally sets the creamy custard without eggs or gelatin.
The tart lemon flavour balances perfectly with the rich cream, giving you a smooth, silky dessert.
Serve it with buttery shortbread for a lovely contrast in texture. It’s a classic combination that works well for any dinner party.
This dessert is quick to prepare but feels elegant, so it’s great when you want something fuss-free yet impressive. You can even make it ahead of time to save you stress on the day.
For a reliable recipe, see the Best Lemon Posset at Waitrose.
Chocolate and Hazelnut Torte
You’ll find this torte a wonderful balance of rich chocolate and nutty hazelnuts. It has a dense, fudgy texture that makes it perfect for a cosy dinner party dessert.
The flavour is deepened by the toasted hazelnuts, adding a lovely crunch to each bite. You can enjoy it as is or add a dollop of whipped cream for extra smoothness.
If you want to try making one yourself, this Chocolate Hazelnut Torte recipe from Waitrose is a great place to start. It’s straightforward and impressive without being complicated.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
You can’t go wrong with a classic Sticky Toffee Pudding for your dinner party. This dessert features a soft date sponge soaked in a rich, buttery toffee sauce that feels comforting and indulgent.
If you want to impress your guests, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream. The naturally sweet dates create a lovely depth of flavour that even those who don’t usually like dates will enjoy.
For a special twist, try a version with Cornish smoked sea salt added to the toffee sauce for a subtle savoury note. This pudding is definitely a cosy treat for any occasion.
You can find a reliable recipe with tips on making this dessert perfectly at Waitrose & Partners.

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