Apple crisp, brownies, both with ice cream or apple pie, german chocolate cake or brownies are all popular and easy.

Applesauce cake bars, frosted with a cream cheese frosting before cutting.

I’ve made dessert very similar to this one many, many times. Can’t go wrong and very easy.

s://natashaskitchen.com/apple-cinnamon-slab-pie/

Oly, You are such an enabler. Guess what I have in the oven right now? Yep, gingerbread cake.

Gingerbread and lemon sauce, omg, why had I never heard of this? Thank you for the brilliant idea oly. Making that this weekend.

My first thought was a lemon-meringue pie, but gingerbread sounds good too. I always offer both lemon sauce/curd and whipped cream with a gingerbread cake.

I'd do a crisp -- whatever fruit you like and the size of the crisp would be based on the number in the family -- if it's only two, a smaller crisp -- if it's 4 a larger one. Same with the stew -- I wouldn't overwhelm them with a big pot of stew because other people are probably bringing food by as well.

I was thinking a fruit crisp: apple or pear. Easy and reheats well.

However, I am intrigued by gingerbread cake. I'm going to need some recipes!

Thanks @jojoco for the apple cinnamon slab pie recipe. Looks great!

I might have to make some gingerbread now, too, lol. Is gingerbread cake different than just plain old gingerbread (which seems like cake) or is 'cake' added to the name to differentiate between gingerbread cookies?

eta: this is the recipe I've used for years from the Sunset Favorite Recipes book:

https://www.food.com/recipe/best-ever-gingerbread-120865

https://www.sunset.com/recipe/fresh-lemon-sauce

Thanks for all of the great ideas. I had thought about an apple crisp, but knew you all would have other suggestions too. Now I am hungry!

Your dinner sounds wonderful. I am sure they will enjoy it,

Not really what you’re asking for as dessert, but because your meal is a filling one, my suggestion is cookies, chocolate chip and oatmeal. Everyone loves them, and so nice to have some for the next day if any are left. Brownies work this way too. You are a great friend.

“Is gingerbread cake different than just plain old gingerbread (which seems like cake) or is 'cake' added to the name to differentiate between gingerbread cookies”

Yes. I know this because when I suggested a gingerbread (cake) dessert to a friend, she cringed thinking I was suggesting the hard cookies. Gingerbread (Dromedary brand mix is really good) with lemon sauce has always been a favorite of mine.

Baked apples with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. But I would omit the salad. I've never had salad before stew.

Years ago, someone in the neighborhood had a terrible accident and the rest of us took turns providing dinner. This went on for 5 or 6 months. By about month 4, the family asked people to stop sending dessert. They were grateful for the food, of course, but they didn’t need nightly desserts, which usually lasted more than one dinner. What turned out to be the final month of needing the help, the family also requested we stay and share the meal with them. It was a lovely way to wrap up the process. I did bring dessert then because it was an excuse for me to have dessert!

Now when I cook for others I do include a dessert (because that’s the fun part) but, because of my above experience, I wouldn’t if my meal was part of an every night plan. Then I’d probably add a box of clementines or apples.

Forgive this interjection, but Maddielee, , Dromedary?! I grew up back in the 60’s loving “my mother’s “ gingerbread...yes, Dromedary! . No idea it was still around. And, yes, with lemon sauce. Must try to find It. After I married, I sometimes added semi sweets.

“Dromedary?! I grew up back in the 60’s loving “my mother’s “ gingerbread...yes, Dromedary! . No idea it was still around. And, yes, with lemon sauce. “

After posting, I went looking. Sadly, I can’t find it on any web search? ☹️

Pumpkin tarts or pumpkin bars. Take a few over and freeze the rest for later. If there's a pumpkin shortage, then banana cream tarts or banana cake or bars. Same deal, serve some now, freeze some for later. My friend makes a great cranberry bar with a crumble topping, that might be nice too.

Pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. :c) Yum!!!

Maddielee, I found the Dromedary gingerbread mix on Amazon, I think. Sadly, but not surprisingly, most all reviews said it was same name, different quality....poor ratings. darn. 😞

I think a crisp would be lovely, especially this time of year. And, they are not particularly heavy. I'm thinking of trying some pumpkin bars this weekend, and yes, they have cream cheese icing. Not spice though. I don't care for spice cake, etc. and prefer my pumpkin baked goods not too spicy either.