Desserts are my favorite party favors! Tasty minis that friends and family can bring home after a party are a joy to make and even better to gift. Or, you can make a plethora of treats to stuff in stockings on Christmas morning. There are so many ways to use fun little treats, and this list of 10 are some of my favorites in times that call for mini versions of favorite sweets!
Looking for more tasty bite-sized ideas? Check out my cookie guide, including 22 recipes or my fun cupcake recipes!
Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts and I assembled these in individual jars for a sweet treat in an adorable portion size. This version has a hint of lavender from lavender simple syrup.
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This tarte tatin was inspired by William Lanagnère, a pastry chef in Paris who took the rustic French classic and turned it into something beyond elegant. I marveled at the perfect spiral of apples and figured he had been paying much closer attention in knife skills class than I did in culinary school! Then I realized there is a kitchen tool that creates delicate ribbons of apple. I bought one so I could create a version of this caramelized apple dessert at home.
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This is a simple and rich fudge that is sure to be a hit with everyone in your house. It's wonderful on its own, or can be topped or mixed with nuts or your other favorite goodies.
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I think a pavlova is the perfect holiday dessert. It is beautiful enough to be a centerpiece on your table, so light that it can follow a big holiday meal and its flavors can change with your every whim.
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Delicate and brittle on the outside with rich buttercream or ganache in the middle, macarons are not as difficult as you think. You can color them for any occasion and they're just beautiful, delicious and fun. Note: This recipe does require a scale, otherwise there is too much variability in the measurements to come out well.
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Super quick and easy homemade hot chocolate kits with homemade marshmallows makes a great party gift on a cold winter day. Send your guests home with a kit to make a cozy cup of hot chocolate when they get home and don’t forget to fix up a big batch so you have plenty for yourself.
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Recipe shared with permission from Rick Nelson from The Great Minnesota Cookie Book by Lee Svitak Dean and Rick Nelson, from University of Minnesota Press.
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Linzer Tortes are little jam biscuits fit for a royal wedding. The rich, buttery hazelnut cookie dough is a tasty exterior to the sweet raspberry jam inside. These are a mini version that come in perfect bite sizes.
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Shortbread only has three wonderful ingredients: butter, sugar and flour. The classic cookies are easy to make, but are sophisticated and delicious in a timeless way.
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These are the brownies I made for a care package for my son, Charlie, and his roommates at college. I made four different kinds because each of the boys wanted their favorite brownie. It's an easy way to please a crowd!
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