Today's hostesses, including many brides, love serving cupcakes because cupcakes are cute, versatile, portable--and still very popular.

Other fancy desserts also are becoming trendy, such as Spanish churros, which are similar to donuts, but shaped in ridged sticks. Here's a collection of pretty and delicious sweets to consider for a "Bake or Buy" dessert party. Just add coffee, an assortment of teas, and let guests choose their favorites.

Some of the colorful treats shown below have links to recipes. Others simply suggest pretty ways to present bakery-bought delights.

      

     Almond Macarons                       Mini donut birthday cake               Mini cookie cheese cakes

       

Vanilla or peppermint whoopie pies            Cake balls                             Meringue cookies

      

          Brownie pops                             Mini-tarts                                        Churros

      

  Sweet flavored popcorn                          Beignets                          Chocolate-covered pretzels

 

Photo credits: Almond macaroons by the Almond Board of California, Krispy Kreme Donut cake by Nashville Scene Foodie Blog, Mini cookie cheese cakes by Hershey's, Whoopie pies by McCormick, Cakes balls by The Cutting Edge of Ordinary, Churros by xooro, Brownie pops by Betty Crocker, Mini-tarts by Williams Sonoma, Meringue cookies by McCormick, Caramel chocolate popcorn by Mexican-American border cooking,  Beignets by Pillsbury, Caramel, cashew, and chocolate covered pretzels by Sweet Pea Patisserie