Bite-Sized Desserts That Will Impress All Of Your Guests
Sometimes we think that, in order to really impress our friends and family, we've got to make a large dessert or fancy cake to finish an exceptional meal. Now, there's nothing wrong with a showpiece gracing the dinner table every once in a while, but don't think it always has to be that way. Sometimes, the most impressive desserts are bite-sized gems that can be served and enjoyed individually. Tiny desserts can be visually appealing, too, from a platter of chocolate-dipped fruits to itty-bitty cakes.
Small desserts, like cream puffs, might seem complicated at first, but with clear instructions and a little practice, you'll have your guests asking you if you went to culinary school or took a French baking class recently. Other bites, like coconut macaroons and chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, are family favorites that should see the light of day more often. Finally, special occasions call for exceptional treats like chocolate-covered strawberries and copycat Starbucks birthday cake pops.
Here, we've compiled our favorite bite-sized desserts that are perfect for every occasion, from a weekend baking project with the kids, to special occasions. With just a little bit of effort, you'll be cranking out treats that can be enjoyed bite by bite. Feel free to share with those you love or store the leftovers for a tiny indulgent bite as needed.
No-bake peanut butter balls may be the easiest dessert ever
Peanut butter balls, sometimes called buckeyes, originally hail from the state of Ohio, according to Taste Atlas. They're now a staple in holiday cookie boxes all over the United States, but they don't have to be a once-a-year thing. As a matter of fact, you might have everything you need to make them in your cabinets right now. Why wait?
These takes on buckeyes feature a creamy peanut butter center that's been gently sweetened with honey. It's also held together with oat and almond flour and then dipped in melted chocolate fortified with coconut oil. Sounds luxurious, right? Believe it or not, it's easy enough to make with a gaggle of kids on a weekend afternoon, so you can make cherished memories along with these sweet treats. If you're a fan of peanut butter cups, these no-bake peanut butter balls are the perfect bite-sized dessert for you and yours.
These cream puffs will make your dessert dreams come true
Maybe you've seen a frantic baker on your favorite baking show, like, say, The Great British Baking Show having a meltdown while making cream puffs. You likely imagined that something like cream puffs or the choux paste needed to make them must be the hardest thing in the world to assemble in the kitchen, reserved only for the most accomplished of French master chefs.
However, you would be thankfully wrong. The truth is that cream puffs aren't nearly as difficult as it seems. You can totally make these bite-sized treats in the comfort of your own kitchen! In this recipe, baker and food writer Mark Beahm takes you step-by-step through the process of making a small batch of fresh cream puffs, filled with delicate whipped cream. He points out that your first batch might not come out perfectly, but never fear. By the second or third try, you'll be ready to serve this fancy bite-sized pastry at your next dinner party. Prepare to wow every one of your guests with this fancy French treat.
Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons you'll want to make right now
If you're the kind of person that reaches for an Almond Joy or Mounds bar in the grocery store checkout line, it's high time for you to learn how to make chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons at home. You'll be thanking us, really.
Macaroons are not to be confused with the incredibly popular French macaron, which is a typically brightly-colored bite-sized cookie made with almond flour and egg whites, and which are notoriously difficult to make. Rather, macaroons are far easier to whip up and are nearly as delightful to behold as their meringue cookie cousins. While both treats are made with egg whites, they are far from interchangeable. This bite-sized coconut cookie is toasted on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside and, of course, comes packed full of coconut. Once baked, the coconut macaroons can also be dipped or drizzled with melted chocolate for extra flavor and visual flair.
These Starbucks copycat cake pops are seriously tasty
According to Sprinkles of History, cake pops were first developed by food blogger Bakerella in 2008. They soon made their way into the mainstream, including those ubiquitous Starbucks food cases, and have been a staple there ever since.
Luckily for those of us with a serious cake pop craving, food writer Molly Allen has provided us with a copycat Starbucks cake pop recipe to bring that coffee shop magic home. It's really as simple as a cake that's been crumbled up and stirred together with vanilla frosting, popped onto a lollipop stick, and dipped in pink candy coating. Many people buy boxed cake mix and frosting to make this treat, but if you're looking to make your pops completely from scratch, try out these recipes for cake pops that will wow everyone at the party.
Easy chocolate-covered strawberries you can make in just 20 minutes
Is there a special anniversary or birthday dinner on the horizon that you're looking to celebrate with something a little extra special? Consider some chocolate-covered strawberries. These treat aren't only for Valentine's Day, first of all, and they only require chocolate and strawberries to make this lovely little treat!
In this recipe for chocolate-dipped strawberries, food writer Molly Allen walks us through the simple steps for dipping strawberries in chocolate and offers a few suggestions for decorating your juicy bite-sized delights. Consider making them while dinner is in the oven to save some time. You might also give these to someone as a thoughtful gift to a friend on their special day or a partner as a token of your affection. Strawberries can be found year-round, but you should definitely give this recipe a try in the peak of summertime berry season for the most flavorful results.