The dessert tables at family pitch-in dinners always look so appealing some party-goers start their meal right there. Pies, cakes, cookies, candies, puddings and other taste bud delights are always favorites.

Poached Stuffed Pears

These beauties are always a hit at the dinner table! Elegant and classic, they promise great flavor served up by the mouth-watering filling of fruits and nuts. Mix and match your favorites, or just combine what you have on hand! You may be surprised how quickly they disappear. Topped off with a splash of color, you just can not go wrong with these traditional favorites!

Cinnamon Apple Roll Ups

Here’s a quick and easy dessert that uses a can of apple pie filling, cream cheese and flour tortillas to make a fun and tasty simple-to-assemble dessert that has a lot of eye appeal and delivers on flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. This is an outstanding treat when served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

Great mouth feel is achieved by using English muffins for this recipe, mixed with lemon zest and diced pears for that delicate pear flavor elevated with the brightness of citrus. The recipe for the homemade butterscotch sauce is also included. This delightful dessert is simple, but elegant, and imparts the subtle and delicate flavor of luscious pears. For even more elegance, top with a dollop of whipped cream garnished with a light sprinkle of cinnamon. Another variation is to sprinkle the bottom of the pan or casserole with brown sugar before adding the mixture, and serving it as a Pear Upside Down Cake.

Butternut Creme Pie

This delicious pie is a nice alternative to the fruit and creme pies that make regular appearances at seasonal get-togethers. During the fall, when squash is overflowing the shelves at the market, pick up a butternut squash and try this silky smooth variation. It is tasty and comforting, and may become one of your family’s seasonal favorites. Pick up an extra one or two for the coming holidays. Peel, seed, dice and freeze it uncooked.

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Combining frozen whipped topping with vanilla pudding and honey graham crackers to pair with dark chocolate creates these astoundingly delicious treats that are always a favorite. One of Lea’s favorite dessert recipes, this dates back to her days in Home-Economics in high school. Need a recipe for a large group? We scaled this recipe up to produce 48 delicious servings in two hotel pans for our church fellowship dinners. You can find the recipe here.