Want to wow a crowd at your party? Try individual dessert servings! These bite-sized treats might be mini, but having a buffet of self-serve finger foods is the way to go! They are the perfect option for any occasion – Mother’s Day brunch, Easter, bridal and baby showers, graduation parties – any time you’re serving a crowd! Come check them out!
A New Way to Party: Easy Individual Desserts for A Crowd
The days in and following a pandemic can always be a little nutty. They change life as we know it in ways we wouldn’t expect. One of those big ways is in entertaining.
I’m not here to get into a debate about masking or social distancing – we are all grown-ups here, right? But, life goes on and parties still happen.
Yet, there’s a way to do it that’s safe for your guests without diminishing the experience of socializing.
A big factor has been how we serve food. While sit-down occasions used to be considered the ‘classy choice,’ many are opting for self-serve, buffet-style tables in order to allow guests to space themselves out and eat and drink at their leisure.
It provides more opportunities for mingling and grazing, less being weighed down with a heavy meal, more opportunities to sample all the yummy food!
I’ve always been a big fan of the buffet, but it you want to take safety even a little further, how about single-serving food items? Appetizers are certainly one way to do it, and for sure, desserts are right up there with them.
Must-Haves for Bite Size Desserts for Parties
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Dessert tables are really nothing new and have become super-trendy. However, if you aren’t wanting people to be breathing over the pies or touching the knives to cut the cakes themselves, you can lay them out as individual desserts – just grab-and-go.
When you’re making these kinds of desserts, for sure, you can serve them plated, with forks. But as you go through this list, you’ll see that there are other ways you can serve. You can prepare desserts and serve them in:
Ramekins
Muffin Tins and Cupcake Liners (These tulip-style liners are super cute!)
Paper Cones in Cone Holders
Plastic Cups
Mini Mason Jars
Wood Skewers
Chinese Food Take Out Boxes
Shot Glasses
Plastic Martini Glasses
Wine and Drinking Glasses
All of these ideas fancy things up a little and add some variety! Consider having some of these items on hand when you’re preparing your desserts
30 Dessert Party Finger Foods to Wow Your Party Guests
OK, the moment we’ve been waiting for! Onto these easy individual desserts for a party!
Milk and Donuts
How cute is this idea? Milk bottles with donuts! The perfect self-serve dessert - and kid friendly, too!
Key Lime Coconut Parfait
There's nothing better than a trifle - except when it's single-serve! This key lime coconut parfait is literal summer in a glass.
Coconut Cream Tiramisu Individual Trifles
Need another idea for a parfait? Coconut cream tiramisu, anyone? Oh wow!
Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Mousse
Cheesecake mousse is a fabulous idea for a single-serve dessert - and even better that it's no-bake!
Rainbow Fruit Cups
This rainbow fruit cup is as pretty as it is healthy! Total win, here!
Mini Cupcakes in Candy Filled Shot Glasses
This is a super-fun idea - and super easy, especially if you go with store-bought cupcakes! You can choose colors for whatever theme you're going for!
Dulce de Leche Crepes
Crepes are another treat that can be plated and served individually - no cutting of cake required!
Easy Mint Chocolate Cookie Trifles
The Girl Scouts get the credit for this flavor combo, but this is amazing in a glass served as a trifle!
Classic Creamy Banana Pudding Recipe
Banana-flavored anything is always a hit. Mixed with layers of vanilla wafer is just fabulous.
Individual Mini Ice Cream Cakes
This little cuties are put together in muffin pans! How fun is this!
Brownie Molten Lava Cakes
This is another fun dessert that is also made as single serve with muffin tins!
Easy Salted Caramel Milkshake Shots
Let's not forget about the milkshake - the king of individual treats! Those gold sprinkles, though... such a yummy touch!
Bite-Size Easy Apple Pies served with Caramel Sauce
How cute are these?!? No need to make the whole pie - just make these bite-size treats with a pie pastry!
Miniature Apple Pies
Speaking of apple pie, a bite-size serving is not the only way to create an individual serving? How about these cuties in ramekins?
S'mores Dessert Trifle in a Jar
S'mores are always a fan favorite - I love this idea that's a little less messy but just as delicious!
S'mores Brownie Bites
If S'mores in a jar seems like too much work, you can make this version in muffin tins. You can even bake these on the grill if you're having a backyard bash!
Vanilla Bavarian Cream Dessert
Bavarian Cream... doesn't that sound so fancy? But it's really easy to make and it's a fun switch from custard!
Strawberry Brownie Skewers
You can serve this one guilt-free - there's strawberry in there, so it's healthy right? A decadent mini-treat.
Mini Strawberry Shortcake
The classic strawberry shortcake is another way to enjoy strawberries - this mini dessert in a shot glass is a totally enjoyable way to deliver it!
Cannoli Cones
Oh cannoli... in my opinion, you can NEVER go wrong serving anything with cannoli cream. I just ADORE this idea in a cone!
Dessert Dip
Dessert dips with the dippers included is such a fun way to serve this kind of treat! Just a get a small plastic bowl, add the dip and stick in the dippers!
Oreo Cheesecake Dessert Shooters
Oreos are another can't-go-wrong treat. Mix that with cheesecake? Yes, please!
No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Shooters Recipe
And the same goes for peanut butter and cheesecake. Hand raised, right here!
Cake Mix Whoopie Pies
Whoopie pies are the quintessential nostalgic treat. And they are perfect for a self-serve dessert that's just a little more than a plain cookie.
Easy Cake Pop Recipe
Cake pops! So much better than lollipops - and it's got portion control built in!
Coconut Magic Cookie Pies Recipe
Magic cookie bars are one of my all-time favorite treats. I LOVE that this is made into a single-serve pie!
Chocolate Soufflés
This is another decadent treat that looks fancy, but it's easier to make than you think!
Churro Skewers and Chocolate
How creative is this?!? That crunchy goodness with the rich and creamy chocolate. The perfect combination.
Mini Baklava
This is such a delicious but really easy dessert to make! It takes cookies up a few notches, for sure!
Party Snack Cup Ideas
Goodness, individual serving desserts do not get any easier than this! Just load up some paper cones with your favorites!
Mini Desserts for a Party Buffet – for the Win!
How fantastic are these? I know if you didn’t find exactly what you love, you’ll be able to modify some of these single-serving desserts to work perfectly for your special occasion.
Other Party and Dessert Ideas
If you’re throwing some other kinds of shin-digs, here are a few other resources that might be helpful!
How to Throw An Epic Outdoor Graduation Party in Your Backyard (lots of these budget-friendly ideas translate to other kinds of outdoor parties, too!)
25 Best Individual Appetizers for Social Distancing: Party Approved!
30 Brunch Charcuterie Board Ideas
35 Easy Summer Desserts for a Crowd
35 Summer Side Dishes for a Crowd
60+ of the Best Trifle Recipes
20+ Beautiful Backyard Patio Dining Sets for Under $300
Best Backyard Dinner Party Ideas {Budget-Friendly, Outdoor Charm}
40 Slow Cooker Party Recipes Guaranteed to Wow
If you make any of these recipes or use any of these ideas, I’d love to see! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
Brilliant idea for single-serving desserts at parties! The simplicity and variety of recipes are game-changers for hosting. These individual treats not only satisfy sweet cravings but also make serving hassle-free.