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How Many Treats Do I Need for a Party?

A simple per-guest rule, real counts for common party sizes, and what each one costs.

The short answer

Plan on two to three treats per guest when custom treats are the dessert, and one to two per guest when you are also serving a cake. So a party of 40 needs roughly eight to ten dozen. Sprinkled Sweets treats run $40 to $55 a dozen, and the party packages ($150, $225, $325) are built around these common counts.

The per-guest rule

The whole thing comes down to one number: how many pieces each guest picks up. With grab and go treats like decorated Oreos, pretzel rods, and cake pops, people do not take one and stop. They take a couple, they come back, and kids come back more than once. So you count total pieces, not one serving per head.

Twelve pieces to a dozen, so divide your total pieces by twelve to get how many dozen to order.

Real counts by party size

Here is the math already done for the sizes I get asked about most, assuming treats are the main dessert. If you also have a cake, drop to the lower end.

GuestsOrder aboutEasiest way to buy it
204 to 5 dozenPetite package ($150) plus a dozen
408 to 10 dozenClassic package ($225) plus a few dozen
6012 to 15 dozenDeluxe package ($325)
10020 to 25 dozenDeluxe package plus add-on dozens

See the full breakdown of what each package includes on the pricing page.

Spread it across a few treat types

A table of one treat looks thin no matter how much you order. Three or four types in the same two colors is what fills a table and photographs well. A good split for most parties:

Always add a cushion

Order about ten percent over your number. Guests take seconds, a couple of pieces break on the ride home, and it is far better to send treats home in a napkin than to watch the table go empty halfway through. One spare dozen covers most parties.

How ordering works

Not sure which occasion fits? Browse the guides for birthdays and full dessert tables.

Common questions

How many treats do I need per guest?
Plan on two to three pieces per guest if the treats are the dessert, and one to two pieces per guest if you are also serving a cake. For a party of 40 with no cake, that is about eight to ten dozen.
How many treats for a party of 50?
For 50 guests with treats as the main dessert, order about ten to twelve dozen across three or four treat types. If there is also a cake, six to eight dozen is enough.
What is the most cost effective way to feed a big group?
Pretzel rods at $40 a dozen and rice krispie treats at $45 a dozen give you the most pieces per dollar. The Deluxe package at $325 gives you eight dozen, which covers a party of 60 to 80 alongside a cake.
Should I order extra treats?
Yes, add about ten percent. Guests take seconds, a few pieces break in transit, and it is better to send treats home than to run out. One spare dozen is a safe cushion for most parties.
Do treats need to be one per guest or can people share?
Custom treats are grab and go, so guests help themselves and most take two or three. Count total pieces, not one item per person. That is why the per-guest math is in pieces, not servings.
How far ahead should I order for a large party?
Two to three weeks for most sizes, and three to four weeks for parties over 75 or during graduation and communion season. A 50 percent retainer holds your date.

Keep reading

Full price list Custom dessert tables Birthday treats Cakesicles

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