I love all of you! Want to come to the party? Of all the good idea, the dessert pizza made my eyes open wide. I'm thinking dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, a drizzle of balsamic reduction (I have a chocolate balsamic that's fantastic all by itself) and etc. I'll post. It's next week.
I'd take a fruit salad, which at this time of year would be ambrosia -- my own recipe, posted here, which is just oranges and/or tangerines -- a couple of different kinds, for variety -- plus some unsweetened coconut, doused in some orange liqueur with a touch of vanilla. People love it, especially in the South, and especially (anywhere) after a salty, carbo-y main like pizza. And ambrosia would look great on a plate in either of the local blue colors. (My son is a Tarheel. ;o) . . . .)
Fruit pizza--baked pizza dough spread with raspberry or apricot jam, then a layer of mascarpone whipped cream, then slice fresh fruit glazed with a simple syrup. Or a fresh fruit tart with a chocolate graham cracker crust, vanilla custard filling and sliced fruit.
with this week's contest theme in mind, these carrot cake sandwich cookies are incredibly delicious hand-held treats: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/carrot-cake-sandwich-cookies
Something really informal and fun like fresh baked cookies with ice cream to make ice cream sandwiches. Or whoopie pies, which is basically the same idea with cake and whipped cream. Desserts you can eat with your hands!
I'd go with latoscana's suggestion, it's casual, fun, and most importantly, uber-delicious. you could even have a range of "price-point" and throw in some Nestle crunch bars and Hershey's kisses with the fancier stuff . . .
The brownies and cookies are great suggestions. It's really dependent on the crowd and what they like. But if they're drinking wine. Maybe a desert cheese plate with assortments of cheeses, fruits, and mortadella. And a small bottle of really good balsamic vinegar.
Fruit in bite-sizes.
Also, chocolate - it's fun to get a variety of bars, such as lavender or chipotle or coffee, and let people break off chunks to sample them. Be sure to include wrapper or labels so they know what's what.
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Go Tar Heels!
http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/10/and-then-i-went-shoe-shopping/
Peanut butter cookies would also be a nice diversion, and somehow they don't feel as heavy as brownies.
Also, chocolate - it's fun to get a variety of bars, such as lavender or chipotle or coffee, and let people break off chunks to sample them. Be sure to include wrapper or labels so they know what's what.
http://www.food52.com/recipes/9882_salted_chocolate_dulce_de_leche_cookie
Here is the link to merrill"s cookie...extraordinary!