I need to plan a dessert table for 50 people. I have found some great ideas online but no guidelines for how much product. What is typical for how many items and how many of each item? Thanks in advance!

is this the only food or is there a dinner? how long will the event last? Will the dessert table be opened up before dinner or after .... or during? Will alcohol be served?

All of these things make an impact on what how and how much you need.

I think you also have to ask how much they want to spend. This will also guide the number of items on the table.

The type of items matter. My guests always love chocolate covered Oreos but can only eat one, where they might eat 2 cupcakes.....etc.

You will have to ask lots of questions.

This occasion is a dessert celebration as a thank you for employees and "bonus check day" at my workplace. It will be in the afternoon for about an hour.

We don't really have a budget, but I can't go crazy I was asked to put something together. I just don't know if I should make enough of each item for each person to have at least one? I was thinking maybe 4 items...cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, truffles and a type of cookie bar.

I have a tendency to overdo things like this so please help me stay in line!

Indydebi - That's why I need to have a guideline for how much product to make. I will be working with someone to find an agreeable price but I have no idea how much product would be reasonable for this type of event so I can give her some options.

I do not make one for each person. As for how many it depends on how heavy the desserts are. A cupcake is much more filling than a standard cut brownie.

Not knowing the budget, for 50 people I would make a large batch of brownies (an 11 x15 pan cut 1x1), 3 or 4 dozen cookies, 3-4 dozen cupcakes and/or trifles.

If its the only food (and its a company shin-dig!) then figure 4-6 pcs per person. Not 4-6 pcs of each thing..... a grand total of 4-6 per person.

If you make cookies, make them silver dollar size, not the regular 4" size. Choc covered strawberries will cost more than cookies or brownies, AND they go fast, so keep that in mind when they are talking about how many they want. A lot of berries means a higher per person price.

You might even suggest adding some salt items to offset the sweet items. Simple things like a bowl of peanuts and maybe some mini pretzels. Chips get broken easily and make a table look cheap and messy so avoid those.

If you use fruit, here's a pic of fruit kabobs I made. Kabobs are very cost effective and help with portion control. http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/4085094118/

Here is my Dessert Stand: http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1274312 Choc covered cherries and strawberries; 1.5x1.5" squares of cream cheese dessert bars, cookies, brownies.

Choc covered cherries: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/412280187/


Other mini dessert that can be bought thru GFS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/3773192343/

A display idea using mini-martini glasses: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/3080419439/
These glasses are also good for mouse or other pudding-type desserts. you can also get the mini-spoons to go with these (at GFS).

If its the only food (and its a company shin-dig!) then figure 4-6 pcs per person. Not 4-6 pcs of each thing..... a grand total of 4-6 per person.

If you make cookies, make them silver dollar size, not the regular 4" size. Choc covered strawberries will cost more than cookies or brownies, AND they go fast, so keep that in mind when they are talking about how many they want. A lot of berries means a higher per person price.

You might even suggest adding some salt items to offset the sweet items. Simple things like a bowl of peanuts and maybe some mini pretzels. Chips get broken easily and make a table look cheap and messy so avoid those.

If you use fruit, here's a pic of fruit kabobs I made. Kabobs are very cost effective and help with portion control. http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/4085094118/

Here is my Dessert Stand: http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1274312 Choc covered cherries and strawberries; 1.5x1.5" squares of cream cheese dessert bars, cookies, brownies.

Choc covered cherries: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/412280187/


Other mini dessert that can be bought thru GFS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/3773192343/

A display idea using mini-martini glasses: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/3080419439/
These glasses are also good for mouse or other pudding-type desserts. you can also get the mini-spoons to go with these (at GFS).

Ok, thanks for the great ideas! That gives me a place to start. The fruit kabobs are a great idea, I was trying to come up with at least one healthy option. Oh and love the martini glasses!

I posted a similar question that was moved to The Lounge. I need to make desserts for 125 high schoolers. Dinner will be served first, then dessert. The entire banquet will be 3 hours. I put specifics in my other post. Please take a look and tell me what you think.

Thanks so much, you all are always so helpful.

Vonda