Trend We Love: Mini Desserts

Guest Blogger: Nathaniel Neubauer, owner of Contemporary Catering
Nathaniel’s mom says it best: “When Nathaniel was turning three, I asked him what he wanted for his third birthday. He said, ‘Quiche.’” Ever since, Nathaniel’s love for food has never been far from reach. With his presence, Contemporary Catering quickly became a major contender in the Los Angeles catering industry. From overseeing production to designing a nine-course tasting menu with five-star service, Nathaniel’s dedication to his clients and his company is unparalleled.
 

While it’s a tradition to have that jaw-dropping wedding cake, times have changed! Sometimes we even wonder, “Who needs a wedding cake anymore?!” Lucky, for couples who don’t want to go through the cake selection process, serving an assortment of mini desserts is definitely trending.

The best part is that you can really personalize your offerings. We suggest taking family recipes from both sides and making miniature desserts in larger quantities. Recently, we had a bride who really loved pie, so we handmade a three-tiered “wedding pie” by using 20”, 18”, and 16” pies! 

pie tier
Photo Credit: Contemporary Catering
 
In addition, you can also place cute little monogrammed boxes of French macarons (in your wedding colors, of course) at each setting — or create elaborate displays of this delectable treat.

macaronsvanilla french macarons
Photo Credit: Ashley Kelemen Photography on Ashley Kelemen Photography via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Braedon Photography on Sterling Social via Lover.ly

macaronsmacarons
Photo Credit: Cupcakes Couture
Photo Credit: Emilie White Photography on Monique via Lover.ly

macaron tower macarons
Photo Credit: Julie Mikos on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Silvana Di Franco on The Lab Event via Lover.ly

Since brides and grooms aren’t limited to a traditional wedding cake, we’ve seen a rise in popularity of serving fun assorted desserts. We started offering custom s’mores stations at smaller, more intimate gatherings nearly a decade ago, and they are wildly popular today! Guests are able to roast their own marshmallows in a fit-pit or barbeque, and can select from a “goodie station” stocked with everything from Scharssen-Berger Chocolate to Nutella.

smores
Photo Credit: Claire Eliza on Bridal Musings via Lover.lysmores
Photo Credit: Juan Maclean Photography via Lover.ly
smores
Photo Credit: Equally Wed via Lover.ly

Here are some more delicious dessert ideas that can easily be made into miniature sweet treats:

Cupcakes

smores cupcakessmore cupcakes
Photo Credit: Ashley Rose on Inspired By This via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Beyond the Lens Photography on Scratch Weddings via Lover.ly

cherry coke cupcakes
Photo Credit: Berrytree Photography on Chancey Charm Weddings via Lover.ly
strawbery and chocolate cupcakes
Photo Credit: Braedon Flynn Photography on Wedding Chicks via Lover.lymini cakes
Photo Credit: Craig Paulson Photography on Craig Paulson Photography via Lover.lyflower cupcakes
Photo Credit: Cupcakes Couture
cupcake towercupcakes with sprinkles
Photo Credit: Laura Murray Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Harper Point Photography 

Cake Pops

cake popscake pops
Photo Credit: Focus Photography Inc on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Erin Johnson
pink cake pops
Photo Credit: Steve Koukoulas Photography on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly

cake pops

bride and groom cake pops
Photo Credit: Erin Johnson
Photo Credit: If the Ring Fits

Fruit Pies

heart shaped apple pie mini pies
Photo Credit: Amy Little Photography
Photo Credit: Kathryn Barnard on Lisa Dupar Catering via Lover.ly

pie cake pops
Photo Credit: Kelly Hornberger on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Focus Photography Inc on Every Last Detail via Lover.lyfruit pie
Photo Credit: Joy Marie Photography
pie
Photo Credit: Kelly Hornberger on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly

Chocolate Mousse Cups

chocolate mousse cupschocolate mousse cups
Photo Credit: Craig Paulson Photography on Craig Paulson Photography via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Cupcakes Couture

Cheesecake Bites

cheesecake bites
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

“Deconstructed” desserts that are layered and dipped are also great to consider. Think along the lines of layered strawberry shortcakes served in dessert shot glasses or chocolate-dipped banana split bites (with sprinkles of course!). Putting a little spin on traditional desserts will definitely “wow” your guests!

mini desserts


Photo Credit: Steve Steinhardt on Laura via Lover.ly
Photo Credit: Landon Jacob Productions on Society Bride via Lover.ly dessert in a glass
Photo Credit: Cupcake Couturecake in a cup
Photo Credit: Jessica Claire on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

More recently, we have offered live banana flambé stations. The bananas are served over housemade Tahitian vanilla ice cream and are truly out of this world! Guests love this because their food is lit on fire right before their very eyes.

banana flambe
Photo courtesy of The Manor Restaurant

—Nathaniel Neubauer