Party Menu Ideas Your Guests Will LOVE!

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Do you throw a big bash to ring in the new year? Or are you like my husband and pretty much ignore the whole thing? Or are you in the middle like me and enjoy watching the ball drop with a glass of champagne (or whatever…) but don’t like to leave the house? Because really, who wants to be out on the road with all the “overindulgent partiers”?

If you’re also like me, you’ve probably wanted to throw a party together last minute. And you may or may not know where to start… Well, if that’s you, you’re in luck! I’ve put together some fun recipe ideas to help you throw an awesome last minute party with amazing party menu ideas, for New Year’s Eve or anytime!

Desserts

Something you will notice about me is that I’m into shortcuts. I always say that if I were rich, I’d be Sandra Lee because I live by the idea of Semi-Homemade. I truly admire the people who are able to create full recipes for cakes and brownies. And I’m sure most of them are delicious. But with the few that I’ve personally tried, it just didn’t make enough difference in taste and quality to bake a from scratch item instead of using a mix.

Trifles

Trifles are perfect for parties. They are stunning and so delicious! Plus, they always make way more food than you expect so it’s great for a crowd. One thing I’d suggest is using a clear bowl or trifle bowl so that everyone can see those gorgeous layers of lusciousness. This one is so pretty! Anchor Hocking Monaco Trifle Bowl

As always with my suggestions, if you don’t want to make the brownies or cake from scratch, feel free to use a mix. It will be just as delicious.

For the Caramel Rolo Brownie Trifle, she makes her own whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip. Some people don’t like Cool Whip. (And apparently, it’s a hot button issue among baking circles) That’s totally fine. Making whipped cream is pretty easy if you want to do it that way. If not, grab the tub of Cool Whip and feel no guilt.

Caramel Chocolate Trifle  from Spending with Pennies is simple yet scrumptious!

This one has to be one of my all time favorites. I LOVE peanut butter cups so it was a no brainer to try this. I’ve made it several times, and it always turns out awesome.

Cookies and Bars

Cake Mix Cookies

Did you know you can make cookies from a cake mix? Until a few years ago, I had NO IDEA! They turn out so soft and yummy. Perfect for a simple solution to a cookie craving.

This recipe calls for them to be made into sandwich cookies, and this recipe calls for buttercream icing. Both of those would be delectable, but if you want to just make plain cookies, that would work just as well. And really, it would save you a step or two.

Cookie Cups

Cookie cups are so easy to make, but they look super fancy. My tip is to get the refrigerated cookie dough, either in a roll or in the squares that break off and bake up into perfect round cookies. So much easier!

Put one cookie sized hunk of cookie dough into mini muffin tins and bake. Then either make your own frosting or buy a tub (you can even doctor that up if you don’t like the taste of store bought frosting**), and pipe it onto the center of the cookie cup. Use a piping bag and tip, or if you don’t have those, put the frosting into a zip top bag and cut a small portion of the corner off. (This definitely isn’t as effective as using a tip and piping bag, but it will work in a pinch!)

Or instead of frosting, put a piece of candy in the center immediately after removing them from the oven, like in this recipe.

** To make your store bought frosting more like homemade, empty the tub of frosting into a large bowl, adding 1/2 stick of softened butter, a tsp of vanilla, and some powdered sugar to stiffen it up and mix with a hand mixer. I don’t really have a measurement for the powdered sugar. Maybe start with 1/2 cup and go on from there? When it feels like it will be stiff enough to be piped onto a cookie and not lose its shape, it’s done.**

Grab that pre-made peanut butter cookie dough and make these beauties.

Sugar cookie dough would work well for this recipe.

Brownie bites would work great too! Brownie mixes are really simple to mix up and bake.

Lemon Bars

My lemon bars recipe is amazing! Your guests will rave about them!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Who doesn’t like ice cream sandwiches? And stacked up into a cake? Amazing!

Brownie Bottom Cheesecake

Making a brownie bottom cheesecake is much easier than it sounds, and it tastes amazing! Granted, it tastes better on the second day so it might not necessarily be a last minute thing, but if you eat it on the same day, once it’s set up, it’s still a delightful dessert.

Instead of putting hot fudge on top as a ganache like topping, I melted chocolate chips and drizzled them over the top. The chocolate on top of chocolate on top of chocolate of this cheesecake is to die for.

I’ve made this mint brownie pie several times, and it’s absolutely delicious!

Snacks

Buffalo chicken dip is one of my all time favorite snacks to make for parties. I tend to like mine a bit less spicy so make sure to go easy on the hot sauce and add more if it needs it. Serve it with tortilla chips and celery if you go the hot route. I use this slow cooker for it, and I love it. It’s the perfect size. Crock Pot 2-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker, Polka Dot Pattern (SCR250-POLKA)

I’ve made this bean dip as-is, and I’ve also made it with green chiles and a bit of sriracha sauce added. Both were great.

I’ve made these garlic parmesan knots a lot. They are easy to whip up, and they look so fancy when they’re all finished.

If you need a low carb option, these turkey bacon ranch pinwheels would be perfect.

Drinks

Raspberry kir royale champagne would be amazing for drinking on special occasions. Or hey, even on regular, every day occasions…

You could totally leave this spiked butterscotch hot chocolate non-alcoholic and add caramel sauce or any number of flavored coffee creamers. That would be delicious!  Or make this version by I Am Baker in the slow cooker to have enough for a crowd.

Sangria is easy and so mouthwatering! Plus there are endless variations so you can find a combo that would please even the most discerning of guests. Cherry and red sangria are, obviously, both red. The frozen fruit sangria recipe by Wine and Glue is made with white wines though so it would be a good one for summer.

Have someone who would want to man the blender? Try some margaritas! They happen to be my favorite drink. Blackberry, raspberry, and cherry limeade are all on my list for my next gathering.  Eric bought me this blender for my birthday a few years ago, and it does an amazing job at blending drinks, even drinks with lots of ice. KitchenAid KSB1575FG 5-Speed Diamond Blender, Matte Gray

This raspberry lemonade fizz would be a fun and festive drink for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks.

Main Dishes

I’ll be perfectly honest with you. I’m not the greatest cook. I know, I know, you’re shocked. But it’s true. So I’m usually not comfortable cooking a meal for people other than my immediate family.

Eric usually takes care of main courses at parties. His go to is usually a tavern ham in the slow cooker. (And I’m pretty sure there’s usually some bourbon that goes into this too…)

But if you’re looking for something quick and easy, grab some yummy Hawaiian rolls or pretzel rolls, deli meat, and sandwich condiments and toppings, and everyone will be thrilled.

Or of course, there’s always pizza. Pizza is always a good idea and should always be included in your party menu ideas. And if you’re lucky like I am, there is a plethora of varieties of pizza within your reach. (Doesn’t the pizza in that photo look amazing?)

The Morning After

In case anyone went a little crazy with the drinks above and they had to spend the night, these make excellent breakfast options for overnight guests.

Every time I’ve made this cinnamon roll french toast casserole from Pillsbury, it was a hit! My husband thinks the recipe as-is is too “eggy” so I only use 4 eggs instead of 6, and it turns out amazing!

I found this recipe yesterday, and it looks very similar to the breakfast casserole I make for pastors’ meetings and special breakfasts here at home so I’m definitely going to try it! I mean, how can something with tater tots be bad?

Party Hard and Have Fun!

It may be a bit too late for a New Year’s Party (unless you really want to try out the last minute part), but with these amazing recipes, now you’re ready to throw together a last minute party anytime! And if you try any of these party menu ideas, let me know how they turn out!

I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year!