Don’t get me wrong: I love desserts. But I’ve never put a lot of effort into making them for parties, not because I don’t want to but because, well, I forget. By the time I realize my mistake it’s too late, so I end up serving ice cream sandwiches, plain cookies, or the store-bought sweets my friends have learned to bring (nothing wrong with that). Still, I’ve vowed to become a better host by creating some desserts that are so delicious and easy, I’ll always remember to make them. Luckily, I’ve discovered quite a few shortcuts over the years. Some of the strategies—like slicing ice cream right through the paper container to make adorable sandwiches—went viral online because people were blown away by how simple they were. Here I offer new ideas for everything from cheesecake to chocolate mousse.