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Home » Desserts

45 Fancy Desserts To Impress Your Guests

Published: May 13, 2021 · Modified: Jul 2, 2024 by Kate Hackworthy · 1 Comment

Collage of dessert pictures, with the text: 45 Fancy Dessert Recipes to wow your guests.
Collage of dessert images with the text: 45 Fancy Dessert Recipes to impress your guests.
Collage of dessert recipes with text: 45 Fancy Dessert Recipes.

Check out this huge collection of Fancy Desserts that will impress anyone. Majestic cakes, French patisserie, elegant macarons, delicate pastry, plus many more ideas that can be made at home from scratch.

Collage of pictures of desserts.

It's been a year where few of us have been able to showcase our culinary skills by entertaining guests at home. However, for some, we might be able to get back in the kitchen soon.

So why not make dinner parties extra special with some fancy desserts?

I've scoured the internet to bring you the most impressive, elegant, and beautiful fancy dessert ideas. Sit down with a cup of coffee and peruse these incredible sweet treats.

Don't expect anything quick and easy, instead, these are fancy desserts that many need love, time, and care to create.

And they will be worth every moment spent in the kitchen.

Of course, a few in this list might look very special but are actually easy fancy desserts. Shhhhh don't tell anyone!

Jump to:
  • Fancy Dinner Parties
  • Dinner Party Desserts
  • Types of desserts
  • Dessert Ideas
  • Fancy Desserts
  • 💬 Comments

Fancy Dinner Parties

I've been daydreaming about getting to hold dinner parties again.

Oddly, I even dreamed the other day about sitting next to Harry Styles at a dinner party and accidentally eating his grilled cheese sandwich, but I digress.

I want to open my door to loved ones. Sit them around the table, pour some wine, and serve delicious gourmet food.

I yearn to host, chat, and fuss over people that I care about.

But mostly, I want to serve them the prettiest and fanciest of homemade desserts.

We're all a bit rusty after a year of staying home, so here are my top tips for hosting a dinner party:

  1. Preparation: Prep as much as you can the day before. From laying the table to chopping the vegetables and making any dishes that can be made ahead. Many of the fancy desserts in this list below are make-ahead. Check out these make-ahead side dishes. Be sure to run the dishwasher before guests arrive so you can put dirty dishes straight in.
  2. Timeline: Plan the menu and write a timeline so the cooking and serving runs smoothly.
  3. Accept help: It's not easy hosting a dinner party, from making fancy foods to spending enough time with everyone. If someone wants to help, let them! It's extra time to chat as you work.
  4. Make it welcoming: Put on some music, get yourself completely ready, finish laying the table, and prepare some cocktails. Check out this list of 40 Cocktails You Can Make At Home. Ensure you're as ready as can be when the doorbell rings.
  5. Keep it stress-free: There's nothing worse than panicking in the kitchen. Turn on some soothing music, plan ahead, and don't let any mishaps ruin the night. Even if you burn dinner you can still order pizza and enjoy your friends and loved ones. You could also take the stress out by getting everyone to bring a dish, potluck-style.

Dinner Party Desserts

So we're going to need some fancy dessert ideas...

Perhaps a delicate mille feuille with layers of crispy pastry filled with the silkiest crème pâtissière?

Maybe a vintage plate piled with pretty homemade French macarons in a rainbow of colours.

How about a beautiful towering display of choux pastry in a croquembouche, drizzled with salted caramel. Or an elegant canelé, the individual French pastry with a custardy rum and vanilla center enrobed in a crispy caramelized crust.

Maybe something international like a Norweigan Kransekake, Persian Love Cake, or an airily light Japanese cheesecake for a stunning final flourish to a national cuisine-themed dinner party. I do love a themed dinner party.

Many of the recipes in this list can be prepped ahead of time. Because nobody wants the dinner party host in the kitchen all evening!

Types of desserts

Deserts are a sweet course served at the end of a meal. There are lots of sweet desserts in Western cultures and they can generally be classified in the following categories:

  • Candies & Chocolates
  • Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Cookies & Biscuits
  • Custards & Puddings
  • Gelatin-based
  • Ice Creams & Frozen Desserts
  • Pastries & Pies
  • Fruit

I've tried to include as many from each category as possible in the list below.

There's everything from extra special cakes, French pastries, fancy chocolate desserts, delicate pies, champagne jellies and no-bake desserts.

There are so many delicious gourmet dessert recipes in this roundup, I guarantee you'll struggle to choose just one!

Dessert Ideas

So if you're looking for fancy desserts to make at home for a showstopping, beautiful sweet end to a meal, then check out this list.

It's full of elegant desserts that will impress any guest.

Whether you're looking for a beautiful recipe for a dinner party, celebration, wedding, or Christmas, there will be plenty in this list to inspire and excite you.

So, without further adieu, here are 45 of the BEST Fancy Desserts to make at home.

Fancy Desserts

If you're looking to impress guests, then feast your eyes on these fancy dessert recipes! From French patisserie and intricate pies to decadent layer cakes and beautiful fruity tartlets, you'll find a showstopping elegant dessert recipe to suit you.

Photo Credit: www.supergoldenbakes.com

French Macarons

Make these beautiful, delicate macaroons. The French delicacy melts in the mouth and tastes delicious. They're a fancy and elegant afternoon tea or after-dinner light dessert.

Photo Credit: annabanana.co

Fraisier Cake

Fraisier cake is a delicious traditional French cake made with crème pâtissière and strawberries. The light and airy sponge layers are filled with silky-smooth creme mousseline and fresh strawberries.

Photo Credit: joyfoodsunshine.com

Chocolate Cream Eclairs

These Homemade Eclairs will wow any dinner party guest! The pastry, filling, and frosting are made completely from scratch. Making this recipe is a labor of love, but it results in a tasty, fancy patisserie dessert.

Photo Credit: joyfoodsunshine.com

Tiramisu

A tasty, pretty Tiramisu made from scratch. This elegant layered Italian dessert has a creamy mascarpone filling that sits between three layers of homemade ladyfingers, soaked in rum & coffee. It's finished with a liberal dusting of cocoa powder.

Photo Credit: vikalinka.com

Black Forest Cake

A modern take on the retro classic Black Forest Gateau. This fancy cake has four chocolate layers that are filled with vanilla and a delicious brandy mousse. The cake is then studded with Morello cherries and ganache drizzled over it.

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

French Silk Pie

French Silk Pie has a rich chocolate mousse filling, buttery, flaky crust, and light swirls of sweetened whipped cream. It's then garnished with a liberal sprinkling of fancy chocolate curls! A pretty pie that will impress anyone.

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

Classic Pavlova with Berries

Pavlova is an Australian & New Zealand classic. It's a heavenly fancy dessert confection that looks beautiful. Pavlova is light and cloudlike with a crunchy outside and soft, marshmallow-like interior. This pavlova is topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Photo Credit: www.littlesugarsnaps.com

Chocolate Raspberry Dacquoise Cake

This fancy Chocolate Raspberry Dacquoise Cake has layers of almond, hazelnut, and pistachio meringue, with a filling of fresh raspberries, chocolate ganache, and a zesty raspberry coulis. It's all bound together in a raspberry cream.

Photo Credit: www.supergoldenbakes.com

Cookies and Cream Layer Cake

This beautiful Cookies and Cream Cake has white chocolate whipped cream between the moist and tender cake layers. It's then topped with a rich chocolate glaze and Oreo cookies.

Photo Credit: thesimple-sweetlife.com

Kransekake

Kransekake is an elegant Scandinavian cake. It's a showstopping towering cake made out of 18 crisp almond cookies “glued” together with icing. Pretty flowers make it even fancier.

Photo Credit: mildlymeandering.com

Earl Grey Macarons

Earl Grey Macarons are a fragrant tea-infused macaron recipe. Vanilla bean macaron shells are filled with a delicious Earl Grey buttercream. This is a classic French fancy dessert that tastes incredible.

Photo Credit: www.baking-sense.com

Marjolaine

Marjolaine is a classic French layered pastry dessert. It's made with dacquoise (nut meringue layers). Crisp almond and hazelnut meringues are layered with dark chocolate ganache, chocolate whipped cream, and hazelnut buttercream. It's enrobed in a chocolate ganache and topped with fresh cream and hazelnuts.

Photo Credit: foodworthfeed.com

Coconut Tart with Strawberries

This stunning coconut tart is made with a toasted coconut sablé crust. It's then filled with a rich, smooth, and creamy coconut panna cotta, then it's beautifully decorated with strawberry jelly, fresh strawberries, and toasted coconut, plus a sprinkle of pink peppercorns for a savory flavor.

Photo Credit: ofbatteranddough.com

Napoleon Mille Feuille French Pastry

Napoleon (also called Mille Feuille) a classic French patisserie. Layers of delicate pastry is filled with a rich cream. The name, mille-feuille, means a thousand leaves, after the many layers of flaky pastry.

Photo Credit: www.abakingjourney.com

French Profiteroles

Classic French Profiteroles have a light and airy choux pastry, filled with ice cream and topped with a warm chocolate sauce. A heavenly fancy French dessert!

Photo Credit: jackslobodian.com

Crème Brûlée

Crème Brûlée is a French classic dessert. It's made of a rich, smooth, and creamy custard, topped with an irresistible sugar crust. You have to crack with the spoon to get to the custard.

Photo Credit: halicopteraway.com

Croquembouche

Croquembouche is a fancy French classic dessert. It's made of a beautiful tower of choux pastry cream puffs filled with vanilla pastry cream. It's then drizzled with pretty caramel. A showstopper!

Photo Credit: www.barleyandsage.com

Brown Butter Orange Cardamom Cake

This beautiful Layer Cake is flavoured with orange and cardamom for a sophisticated taste. The zesty cake is sandwiched with layers of fluffy honey brown butter buttercream and garnished with dried orange slices! for a fancy display. It's light, super flavorful, and impressive.

Photo Credit: www.fabfood4all.co.uk

Salted Caramel Cheesecake

This pretty Salted Caramel Cheesecake is made with a speculoos biscuit base and topped with a creamy, rich vanilla-infused cheesecake. It's then spiked with 2 layers of salted caramel. A showstopper that’s perfect for entertaining.

Photo Credit: saltandbaker.com

Boston Cream Donuts

These Boston Cream Donuts are absolutely delicious. The classic American donut is made with the most delicious homemade doughnut dough, which is then filled with a smooth and velvety pastry cream. They're then topped with a thick chocolate glossy glaze. They're light and fluffy and absolute perfection!

Photo Credit: thespicetrain.com

Coffee Liqueur Cream Puffs

These beautiful and delicious coffee liqueur cream puffs are a decadent treat. They're a coffee lover's dream in a light puff! They're filled with light coffee liqueur whipped cream and coated with a sweet coffee glaze.

Photo Credit: tasteofartisan.com

Canele

Canele has a moist and custardy interior, which is sealed inside a thin, crispy, caramelized shell.

Photo Credit: thesimple-sweetlife.com

Glam Black and Gold Chocolate Cake

Create an elegant showstopping fancy cake with this Glam Black and Gold Cake. Perfect for New Year's Eve or a party. Learn how to make golden chocolate spheres, color black frosting, and assemble your cake in the step-by-step tutorial.

Photo Credit: thishealthytable.com

Rose Apple Tart

This pretty and elegant Rose Apple Tart recipe makes the most of apple season and looks absolutely beautiful. This fancy twist on an apple pie is spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom for warm and flavorful undertones.

Photo Credit: savorthebest.com

No Bake Cheesecake with a Surprise Inside

These elegant, creamy cheesecakes have a surprise! Inside is a chocolate-covered strawberry. Slicing these individual delicacies open brings a smile to everyone's face when they discover the strawberry.

Photo Credit: www.wenthere8this.com

Japanese Souffle Cheesecake

This Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake is fluffy, creamy, and light-as-air! It's lightly sweetened, with a slight tang. Perfect with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a handful of fresh berries, and a dollop of freshly whopped cream.

Photo Credit: daniscookings.com

Hazelnut Cake with Stracciatella Frosting and Dried Cranberries

Hazelnut Cake with Stracciatella Frosting and Cranberries is a fancy cake with a delicious flavor. The nutty cake layers are sandwiched with a light and creamy frosting full of chocolate pieces and dotted with cranberries,

Red Wine Poached Pears with Cinnamon Cream

Spiced Red Wine Poached Pears are a fancy, classy and elegant light dessert. Pears are poached in mulled wine and served with a light and fluffy homemade cinnamon cream.

Photo Credit: daniscookings.com

Chocolate Hazelnut Madeleines

These light and airy French madeleines are flavoured with hazelnut. They're then topped with melted chocolate and crushed hazelnuts. Chocolate, nutty, fluffy and delicious.

Photo Credit: somethingsweetsomethingsavoury.com

Banana Nut Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce

This banana nut cake is topped with a tasty salted caramel sauce tantalizingly dripping over the sides of the cake, plus and a topping of chopped nuts.

Photo Credit: homemadeandyummy.com

Apple Rose Puffs

Apple Rose Puffs are an easy-to-make fancy dessert. Apple slices and puff pastry are rolled into a rose-shaped dessert and then baked to perfection. Pretty, elegant and simple.

Photo Credit: frolicandfare.com

Mini Lemon Basil Curd Tarts with Shortbread Crust

These pretty Mini Lemon Basil Curd Tarts are sweet, zesty, and creamy. They have a shortbread crust to compliment the zingy filling. They will satisfy your sweet tooth with a refreshing & herby twist from the basil.

Photo Credit: www.shelovesbiscotti.com

Ricotta Crepe Cakes

Mini thin, delicate crepes are piled high, filled with creamy ricotta, and garnished with chopped pistachios and icing sugar.

Photo Credit: sugaryums.co.uk

Mulled Wine Creme Brulee Tart

This winter beauty is a Mulled Wine Creme Brulee Tart for a twist on the classic French dessert. It's an incredibly luxurious creme brulee tart with spiced mulled wine and boozy fruit. The gingerbread tart shell and cookie decorations make this tart one of a kind and extra fancy.

Photo Credit: entertainingwithbeth.com

Gateau Saint Honore

Make the classic French patisserie at home! These individual Gateau Saint Honore Pastries are not only beautiful, but they taste delicious! They're made of a puff pastry base, sweetened whipped cream, fresh raspberries, cream puffs filled with vanilla pastry cream, and topped with raspberry icing and candied rose petals on top.

Photo Credit: sugarandcloth.com

Champagne Jello Shots

A sophisticated take on the party classic! These jello shots are given a fancy twist by making them an edible version of a French 75 cocktail, a refreshing champagne cocktail with gin and lemon. They're then topped with some pretty edible gold leaf.

Chamomile Cake with Salted Honey Buttercream

This beautiful cake is infused with chamomile tea to give it an aromatic, summery taste. It's gently floral and complemented by the salted honey buttercream.

Photo Credit: sallysbakingaddiction.com

Chocolate Soufflé

Chocolate soufflé is a rich, light, fluffy and airy elegant French dessert. However, you only need 7 ingredients to make it! Serve topped with fresh berries, a sprig of mint, and a dollop of whipped cream.

Apple Kale Cake with Apple Icing

This surprising cake is made with kale! The naturally green cake will delight and intrigue everyone from the moment you slice into it. You can't taste the kale, so it tastes like an apple cake.

Pomegranate Cake (Persian Love Cake)

This Persian Love Cake is moist and tasty. The sponge is made with ground almonds, rose, and cardamom for a wonderful flavor. It's topped with pomegranate icing, pistachios, and rose.

Photo Credit: joythebaker.com

Doberge Cake

Doberge cake is a New Orleans classic dessert made of layers of cake filled with two types of pudding. This pretty doberge cake is filled with strawberry and pistachio cream.

Coconut Fruit Flan

This pretty berry-topped flan has a light and airy cake crust, coconut cream filling, fresh berries, and strawberry glaze. It's a perfect fancy summer dessert.

Grilled Apple Celeriac Cake

This apple-flavored cake is baked, then slices are lightly cooked on the grill or barbecue. This caramelizes the sugars for a wonderfully sweet and smokey taste. It's topped with apple icing and salted bourbon butterscotch.

Photo Credit: foodworthfeed.com

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

This fancy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake recipe is all made from scratch. It has a chocolate chip cookie crumb crust, no-churn vanilla ice cream studded with edible cookie dough, a gooey chocolate ganache center and a fluffy and light whipped cream icing.

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  1. Camilla Hawkins

    May 13, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    Wow Kate you've really done a great job curating all these show stopping desserts! Your Apple & Kale Cake is definitely calling me with that apple icing! There's just one problem though, I might have to arm wrestle you for Harry Styles:-)

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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