A delicious treat to serve at any special occasion is a classic chocolate cake. There’s nothing quite like the combination of moist chocolate cake layers and rich chocolate frosting. For an extra decadent dessert, fill the cake with a layer of chocolate ganache or chocolate mousse. Top it off with chocolate shavings, chocolate covered strawberries or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Your guests are sure to be impressed with such a timeless and luxurious option.
For a lighter option ideal for spring and summer, a lemon tart or key lime pie can’t be beat. The bright, citrusy filling provides a refreshing contrast to the sweet crust. Garnish the tart or pie with whipped cream, fresh berries and mint leaves. The tangy and creamy dessert will be a perfect complement to iced tea or lemonade.
If you want to highlight the fresh fruit of the season, a fruit crisp or crumble is a great choice. You can use whatever fruit is at its peak – apples and berries in the fall, stone fruits like peaches and plums in the summer or rhubarb in the spring. The oat and nut streusel or crumble topping provides a nice crunchy contrast to the soft fruit filling. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
A classic like cheesecake or tiramisu also makes for an elegant dessert. New York style cheesecake with a graham cracker crust is always a favorite, topped with fresh fruit sauce or chocolate. For an Italian inspired option, tiramisu with layers of coffee soaked cake, mascarpone cheese and chocolate shavings is a showstopper.
For holidays and special occasions, a Bûche de Noël or Yule log cake is a stunning and dramatic dessert. The cake is shaped and decorated to resemble a log, complete with chocolate bark and meringue mushrooms. Your guests will be amazed at your skill in creating such an elaborate and whimsical dessert.
Profiteroles, cream puffs filled with ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce, are a delicious and impressive dessert that seems complicated but is quite easy to make. Choux pastry shells are filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce for a decadent treat.
A classic baked Alaska, with sponge cake, ice cream and meringue, is a showstopping retro dessert. The meringue is briefly torched before serving so it forms a caramelized shell over the ice cream. Your guests will be in awe as you bring the dessert to the table.
For a casual get together or potluck, rice pudding, bread pudding or trifle are comforting and crowd-pleasing options. Rice pudding with raisins and cinnamon is a simple and satisfying dessert. Bread pudding, made from croissants, brioche or panettone, is a delicious way to use up leftover bread. An English trifle with pound cake, fruit, custard and whipped cream is a stunning layered dessert.
