Isn’t the beauty of mini-desserts that you can have more than one… or four? I love little dessert bites. They look super cute and make any dessert table more appealing. The good news is, almost anything can be made tiny. From brownie bites to mini-cheesecakes, these easy desserts are sure to delight. Let’s look at 24 of my favorite mini-desserts!
1. Best Brownie Bites
Brownie bites are definitely for the corner lovers! With a crisp edge and perfectly fudgy center, they tick all the right boxes. To get that wonderful ratio, you will need a mini-muffin pan to bake these little babies. Try adding marshmallows or a mini-peanut butter cup before baking for a gooey and sweet extra indulgence.
2. Mini-Maple Cinnamon Rolls
Controversial opinion: sometimes cinnamon rolls are too big… Don’t get me wrong, they’re ridiculously delectable! It’s just that sometimes it’s a little too much sugar all at once. That’s why mini-cinnamon rolls are so genius. For those looking to cut back, one or two is plenty. And for those with a sweet tooth, dig in and have four! Bread machines can be a little on the expensive side, but once you invest, trust me, you’ll never look back. Making this dough is a breeze with a bread machine. It can also easily be made with a standard stand mixer.
3. Banana Beignet Bites
The best thing about beignets is the crisp outer shell with all that powdered sugar. So you can imagine how good beignet bites are! This recipe is simple: mix the ingredients in order and drop into hot oil. No need for kneading or rolling out. And the addition of banana is a dream! Try dipping them into a salted caramel sauce or some Nutella.
4. Meyer Lemon Parfaits
Shot glass desserts are perfect little bites of dessert. They can be made in any flavor combination and look beautifully uniform in formation. If you don’t have shot glasses, mini-mason jars will look adorable. However, you can also find several different shaped plastic shot-like cups online and in party stores. For this little dessert, start with some broken ladyfingers, top with whipped cream, and lip-smacking lemon curd. It sounds easy because it is!
5. Tiramisu Pudding Shots
After an enormous meal, sometimes you just can’t face another bite. Although sometimes you have no choice! These tiramisu pudding shots are too good to resist. This boozy mini-dessert combines chocolate pudding with Kahlua, and white chocolate pudding with vodka, so it’s not one for the kids. Served in shot glasses, it’s the perfect size for a little something sweet.
6. Mini-Milkshake Shooters
If you’re looking for something different, how about some adorable milkshake shots? This recipe combines vanilla ice cream with marshmallow fluff for a sweet after-dinner treat that kids and adults will both love. Dip the top of the glass in chocolate and roll in sprinkles for a pop of color, and serve with a colorful paper straw. This recipe is easy to modify with a different flavor of ice cream. For something adult-only, try adding some rum into the milkshake.
7. Easy Mint Chocolate Cookie Trifles
These Instagram-worthy dessert shots combine rich dark chocolate pudding with refreshing crushed mint chocolate cookies. I love the pale green color in the heavenly, mint-flavored cream, but it’s not essential. The flavors will still be there without it, and the white will contrast the dark pudding wonderfully. The simple mint leaf garnish is all these mini-desserts need.
8. Red Velvet Cake Truffles
Cake truffles and cake pops are essentially the same thing. The only difference is one is on a stick. I personally think cake truffles have a slightly classier look to them. Put them on a serving platter or decorative plate and they look store-bought. They’re also so easy to make it’s insane. Cake mix and ready-made frosting mix to form the fudgy center which then gets smothered in white chocolate. You really can’t go wrong.
9. Chi Chi Dango Mochi
Mochi are soft and chewy rice cakes. Made with rice flour, sugar, coconut milk, and a thickener, they are delicate and colorful candies. For some added texture, try rolling the little balls in freeze-dried raspberries or chocolate shavings.
10. Mini-Blueberry Pies
I love pie. It’s great in the summer, filled with banana cream or fresh blueberries. And it’s just as good served warm in the winter, chock full of apples. With these mini-blueberry pies, you get a mouthful of perfect buttery pastry with each bite. You can even find mini-tart shells in the freezer section of most grocery stores. The blueberry filling is sweet and bursting with flavor. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and be prepared to have more than one! The beauty of mini-pies is that the possibilities are endless. Apple, banana-cream, strawberry-rhubarb, peach, chocolate-peanut butter… you can easily have a different flavor every day of the week.
11. Baklava Tartlets
I know what you’re thinking and yes, tartlets are mini-pies. Regardless of the name, if you like sweet, crisp, honey-nut baklava, you have to try this recipe. Traditional baklava can be time-consuming and messy to make. But this recipe combines all the things you love about the dish and simplifies it. Though you will only see walnuts in the ingredients, feel free to add any chopped nuts you like. I personally love pistachios in this. For something a little different, try adding some orange juice and zest instead of lemon.
12. Maple-Bacon Doughnut Bites
Having lived in Canada, I became a loyal fan of the maple-bacon-anything combination. From chicken to cake, it works on every level. These donut holes are similar to the beignets, in that they come together in a bowl and just need to be dropped into hot oil. But instead of rolling in cinnamon sugar, these bites are covered in maple glaze and sprinkled with bacon bits. Sounds good, eh?!
13. Mini-Donuts
I’m not sure why I love donuts so much. Something about that round, colorful, sprinkle-covered treat makes me feel nostalgic. It gives me major 1950s vibes, and I think they work anytime. And then I found mini-donuts and lost it completely. Mini-donuts are just the peak of mini-desserts if you ask me. And with a mini-donut maker, there’s no guesswork. Whether tossing in sugar or covering with a brightly colored glaze, they are by far my favorite on the list. I like to make a glaze with powdered sugar and fruit puree for color and a burst of flavor.
14. Mini-Burger Cookies
Remember when sliders came onto the scene? Just like with mini-desserts, mini-food in general just has an appeal. Well, just wait until you see these cuties. The grasshopper cookies really do look like little patties, and you don’t have to worry about being neat with the ‘ketchup and mustard.’ Not a coconut lover? Using a leaf tip and some green frosting will look just as good.
15. Apple Pie Pops
Hand-pies and pie-pops are such a cute alternative to a big pie. They travel well and can be eaten while running around the yard. Be sure to chop your apples small, as this recipe only bakes for around 15-20 minutes. Using store-bought pastry, they can be cut into any fun shape you like. Just don’t forget to sprinkle with sugar before baking to get that lovely crisp crust.
16. Rum-Praline Shortbread Bites
Delicate buttery shortbread combined with toasted and caramelized pecans, and a little rum. Now that I have your attention… This recipe is seriously good. Shortbread is a big favorite in my house, and it’s has a lot to do with how easy it is to modify. But this recipe is truly something to try. Please don’t skip toasting the pecans with the sugar. It adds something special! They’re perfect for afternoon tea, your Christmas cookie plate, or even as end-of-year teacher gifts!
17. Mini-Simnel Cakes
Fruit cakes like this one can be divisive. For some, they’re too dense and dark. For others, they’re delicious with anything from brandy sauce to cheese slices! Yes, I’m serious. So rather than investing your time into a large cake that may have leftovers, why not try these minis and make them special for the people you know will love them? This recipe calls for the fruit to be soaked in amaretto, but you can use brandy or rum if you prefer. Also, before topping with the marzipan, I like to brush with some extra booze to really boost the flavor.
18. Mini-Cosmopolitan Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is a crowd-pleaser in any form. I’m a huge fan of a good cheesecake bar but also love a cute cheesecake shot. Having said that, I am drawn to anything a little different. This recipe has a lovely light ricotta-based cheesecake which is smooth, creamy, and no-bake! But it’s the topping that really caught my eye. The cosmo flavors of vodka, cranberry, and orange have always been a go-to for me. Here, they are set with gelatin to create a lovely, colorful, and fresh pairing for the vanilla cheesecake.
19. Mini-Lemon Meringue Pies
With just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes, you can have the most delicate little canapés. Using ready-made meringue shells and a simple mix of cream cheese, citrus zest, and icing sugar, this mini-dessert is a winner. Looking for some variety? Try adding some passion fruit or chopped cherries and chocolate instead.
20. Blackberry, Marshmallow, and Mascarpone Trifles
Trifle is such a classic that usually comes in an oversized glass dish. Not only is this blackberry trifle a surprising twist your guests will love, but these mini-portions are also an Instagrammer’s dream. Short on time? Feel free to use vanilla pudding in place of the homemade custard.
21. Fantasy Fudge Recipe
Marshmallow Fluff and chocolate fudge? Sign me up! Fudge is the ultimate sweet, bite-sized treat. And it’s so easy to make. This recipe is wonderfully simple. With just 7 ingredients, the added crunch from the walnuts works so well with the smooth fudge. Try adding some chopped peanuts and a sprinkle of sea salt for something a little different. If 7 ingredients are too much for you, try this 3-ingredient Rocky Road Fudge for something even easier!
22. Mini-Red Velvet Bundt Cakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
I love the look of a bundt cake and have made a few in my day. But if this list has taught you anything about me, it’s that I love mini-versions of big treats! You can find a selection of mini-bundt pans online, and I really think they’re a great investment. For the frosting, try to make it a little on the thinner side so you can achieve that wonderful drip. When you’re done with this recipe, you will be left with a cross between a mini-donut and a cupcake. How could it get any better?
23. Mini-Alfajores
This recipe combines 2 of my favorite things: shortbread and caramel. For those of you with a sweet tooth, this little cookie sandwich is quite possibly the perfect bite of food. The delicious crumbly shortbread cookie is the best possible partner for thick and sweet dulce de leche. To make the filling at home, you can follow the recipe and boil the can on the stove. Or you can use a slow cooker which will take longer but is a little safer. Normally, I would suggest adding chopped nuts or dipping in chocolate. But for this, I would keep it simple and just serve with a nice cup of coffee.
24. Mini-Lemon Scones
It’s easy to overwork and over bake scones. If you think you don’t like them, it’s likely you just had a dry batch. Of course, I’m biased. I think they’re not only easy to make, they’re also perfect at any time of day! But if you’re worried that going tiny will mean dry scones, this recipe is for you. Deliciously lemony, this recipe has a secret ingredient to guarantee a moist crumb! Adding instant lemon pudding mix will really boost that lemon flavor and help to keep these little bites super moist inside. Win, win. Click on a star to rate it!
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