I realize that this title will come as a shock to those of you who know how much I love to bake, but sometimes I need a dessert in a pinch. If I've got 5, 6 or even more appetizers to make, plus the meal; well dessert just ends up getting the short end of the stick. With these 5 fast and easy assemble desserts, you don't have to stress about making sure there is something sweet and appealing after your meal. Plus a few of these can easily be brought as a dessert offering when you are the one asked to bring something sweet.

Fresh Ricotta with Figs, Peaches & Honey

There is nothing as simple as assembling items on a board or platter.

This sweet and savory offering is just that kind of dish. Arrange seasonal fruits, like figs & peaches for the summer, on a pretty plate or a wooden board. Fill a bowl with fresh ricotta & drizzle with honey. It's just that simple. You can toss some nuts in if you like, but for the sheer simplicity of this dish, it's not necessary. Let the purity of these vibrant flavors speak for themselves. The creaminess of the ricotta against the nature sweetness of the fruit with that extra sweetness from the honey is soothing combination.

Chocolate Dipped Fruit

This one might take a tad more effort but not much more. Use the fruit of your choice or the ones in season. I had raspberries, blackberries and bananas on hand. Dip each piece in melted dark chocolate and let cool on parchment paper. You can roll them in crushed nuts or coconut to ratchet it up a notch. Then arrange on a plate and watch these fly faster than they took to make. Believe it or not, these little 'pop in your mouth' treats are so pretty that they will make an "ohh' statement on your dessert table. So easy enough to make, you can get your kids to help.

Cheese Course

Cheeses with strawberries, grapes, mini bread sticks and Tortas de Aceite (Sweet Olive Oil Crackers).

Blue cheese (such as Cabrales, Valdeon, Stilton or Gorgonzola). Add nuts, date loaf, figs in syrup, oranges.

Ok, this is not my idea, of course, but more of a reminder in case this option was misplaced in the memory banks. Instead of serving cheese as part of your appetizers, save it for dessert and do it the French and Italian way. Enjoy it after the meal.

Fresh Fruit Lovingly bound by Chocolate

This colorful, flavorful option is similar to but slightly different to the above chocolate dipped fruit. Instead of individual chocolate coated fruits, this version creates a bed of chocolate for the fresh fruit, nuts and sea salt to lie gently atop. I made this on just such an occasion when I didn't have time but wanted to serve a dessert after lunch. It was better than I thought and served the purpose beautifully. I already had a chocolate ganache in the fridge. (Ganache is just chocolate with a tad of cream added to it. This keeps it from getting completely hard and makes it pourable to glaze a cake or drizzle. I liked using the ganache for this version because once I refrigerated it, it became hard enough to hold the fruit together but still had a softness that added to the yumminess. A result I didn't quite realize would occur.

Chocolate Bark

If you don't happen to have fresh fruit, then go the traditional chocolate bark route. This version does not use ganache. It is pure chocolate melted down. I use a combo of dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate. Spread the melted mixture onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Then top with whatever suits your fancy. I like cashews, dried apricots & dried cherries plus a healthy sprinkling of course sea salt. That really makes the chocolate sing. Refrigerate until solid, then cut or break into shards. No brainer of sheer joy.

I hope these ideas provide you a few quick, easy but delicious desserts to have in your back pocket when you are in a pinch. I promise you, your guests will not miss the cake or pie or any other more labor intensive sweet.