This was my problem with the pineapple upside down cake lady. She definitely wanted her cake served at dinner.  That was very annoying of her. I imagine you were frustrated. I think if I had an informal meal and dessert, I might have presented her cake alongside whatever I had planned for dessert, but I would have felt like she were slightly rude and I would have considered not inviting her over again. But if, for some reason, I felt really strongly about my dessert being the only dessert, I would have stood my ground and told her "I have all the courses planned out. Thanks for your cake. It doesn't go with the theme of tonight's menu. I will leave it in the fridge and hope to enjoy it tomorrow night with my family." And then if she got really rude and wanted to bring her cake back home with her that evening, I'd have let her.  I didn't really make an issue of it. When it was time for dessert, she came to the kitchen with me and got her cake. We just put both desserts out. I just let people decide which one the wanted.  Th