If you are looking for the best fancy desserts to impress your friends, you have come to the right place! A delicious, sweet dessert is a delightful way to complete a delicious meal. However, while there are hundreds of desserts to choose from, sometimes you want to give them an extra fancy touch for a special occasion.
Jump to:
- The Best Fancy Desserts
- 1. Coconut Panna Cotta
- 2. White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- 3. Chocolate Ganache Cake
- 4. Paris-Brest
- 5. Biscoff Cupcakes with Biscoff Buttercream
- 6. Classic French Madeleines
- 7. Choux Au Craquelin
- 8. Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
- 9. Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
- 10. Sicilian Ricotta Pie
- 11. Bavarian Cream Donuts
- 12. Greek Yogurt Cookies
- 13. Tiramisu Cookies
- 14. Raspberry Ruby Ice Cream Bar
- 15. Millie Feuille
- 16. Mango Mousse Cake
- 17. Ferrero Rocher Cake
- 18. Croquembouche
- 19. Baklava Cheesecake
- 20. Wine Mousse Parfait
- 21. Clafoutis
- 22. Strawberry Pavlova Cake
- 23. Crème Brûlée Macarons
- 24. Palmiers
- 25. Fraisier Cake
- 26. Pecan Upside Down Cake
- 27. Floating Island Dessert
- 28. Napoleon Cake
- 29. Apple Rose Puff Pastry
- 30. Black Forest Cake
- 31. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
- 32. Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
- 33. Strawberry Panna Cotta
- 34. Chocolate Covered Strawberries Tuxedo Style
- 35. Creamy Strawberry Semifreddo with Macadamia Nut
- Fancy Desserts FAQs
- Related Fancy Dessert Recipes
- Top 35 Best Fancy Desserts
This list of 35 easy fancy desserts is perfect for a dinner party or formal event and will have your guests raving on Instagram for days to come!
The Best Fancy Desserts
1. Coconut Panna Cotta
This creamy Coconut Panna Cotta fits the bill for a light and refreshing dessert that won’t weigh your guests down after enjoying the food from your fancy dinner party. Italian for “cooked cream,” this dairy-free, coconut-flavored dessert is made with sweetened cream and then filled with a delicious passion fruit compote. The best part is it is super easy to make and only uses a few simple ingredients!
2. White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Strawberries and chocolate are an excellent combination for making the perfect sweet treat. It is also one of the more nutritious options, using fresh, juicy strawberries to dip into a high-quality molten chocolate. This recipe uses mild white chocolate versus dark chocolate, allowing the sweet flavor of the strawberries to shine through. Decorate it with sprinkles or edible gold dust to add the perfect fancy touch to your dessert platter.
3. Chocolate Ganache Cake
One of the best things about chocolate cake is that you can enjoy it on any occasion, whether a casual birthday party or a large celebration. This chocolate ganache cake is just one example of how you can convert this all-time crowd favorite into one of the best fancy desserts your guests will ever try. Made with a single layer of moist chocolate sponge cake and silky chocolate ganache frosting, it will surely satisfy your sweet tooth and have you dreaming about it for days to come!
4. Paris-Brest
As if the name of this classic French dessert doesn’t sound fancy enough, the appearance and flavor of Paris-Brest will undoubtedly impress your guests! Paris-Brest is the Queen of French pastries, with a delicate ring shape made from crispy Pâte à Choux bonded with a silky, nutty Creme Mousseline filling. The praline paste and delicious roasted hazelnuts give the filling additional texture and crunch, making your mouth water more with each bite.
5. Biscoff Cupcakes with Biscoff Buttercream
If you like speculoos biscuits, you will love these Lotus Biscoff cupcakes with Biscoff buttercream. With a creamy Biscoff butter filling and decadent Biscoff frosting, these moist and flavorful cupcakes infuse spicy and caramel flavors in every bite. It is one of the best fancy desserts and crowd-pleasers you can make for any special occasion, and it only takes an hour to make.
6. Classic French Madeleines
If you’re searching for gourmet dessert recipes that are easy to make and super versatile, these Classic French Madeleines must be at the top of your fancy desserts list! These soft mini-cakes are simple to assemble and will impress your guests. You can enjoy them as they are, flavor them with spices, or top them with your favorite glaze. No matter how you make them, your guests will return for more!
7. Choux Au Craquelin
Choux Au Craquelin is another classic French dessert that makes an excellent addition to a fancy dessert table. These ball-shaped crispy cream puffs are mildly sweet and delicious, with a crunchy craquelin layer on top. The large air pocket in the center allows you to fill the puffs with the finishing touch of your choice, whether it’s a creamy vanilla bean pastry cream, whipped chocolate ganache frosting, diplomat cream, or fresh apple filling!
8. Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
Salted caramel and chocolate are like a match made in heaven, and these mini salted caramel chocolate tarts are definitely heavenly! These easy-to-make treats join buttery caramel with silky chocolate caramel in a sweet shortcrust pastry. They are one of the best fancy desserts to dress up your post-dinner table for the holidays or your favorite special occasion!
9. Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
Made with fresh strawberries and stuffed with cream cheese filling sprinkled with a cheesecake crust, these easy raspberry cheesecake cookies will make your taste buds dance the moment you sink your teeth into them. They are quite similar to the Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies once sold by Subway, with one significant difference: These are even better!
10. Sicilian Ricotta Pie
Although typically associated with the Easter Holiday, this classic Sicilian Ricotta pie is one of the best fancy desserts you can enjoy year-round. With a delicious “Pasta Frolla” (shortcrust pie dough) as a base, this tasty pie is filled with creamy ricotta flavored with citrusy lemon zest. The result is a silky, not-too-sweet custard-like pie that will quickly become a crowd favorite!
11. Bavarian Cream Donuts
These sweet, cream-filled donuts take buttery French brioche donuts and fill them with a traditional Bavarian cream. They are super light and have just the right sweetness for dessert or breakfast. Bavarian cream donuts are incredibly versatile, and you can fill them with an alternate filling of your choice before dusting them with regular or powdered sugar.
12. Greek Yogurt Cookies
For super moist and fluffy cookies that are just as pleasing to your eyes as they are to your palette, these Greek Yogurt Cookies will not disappoint! Made with tangy Greek yogurt and a fluffy cream cheese frosting infused with pure vanilla extract, Greek Yogurt Cookies are simple, delicious, and one of the best fancy desserts you and your guests will ever try!
13. Tiramisu Cookies
Whether you want an after-dinner dessert or a tasty complement to your morning cup of coffee, these delicious tiramisu cookies are a perfect option. A fun twist to the classic Italian dessert, this easy recipe combines espresso powder, brown sugar, and mascarpone frosting sprinkled with cocoa powder. They aren’t just a crowd-pleaser but also super easy to make!
14. Raspberry Ruby Ice Cream Bar
If you didn’t think you could consider something as simple as an ice cream bar “fancy,” think again! These beautiful homemade raspberry ruby ice cream bars take creamy, no-churn raspberry yogurt frozen into an ice cream mold and then coated with ruby chocolate. The result is a beautiful, naturally pink ice cream bar with a fruity flavor that is not too sweet or hard. It is the perfect fancy dessert for a hot summer day.
15. Millie Feuille
This classic French pastry traditionally has three flaky layers of puff pastry alternating with two layers of a smooth, creamy filling. For the finishing touch, it is then topped with whipped cream, icing sugar, or glaze. It is a beautiful dessert you can easily serve at a fancy occasion or birthday party. The recipe is also relatively easy to follow and customize!
16. Mango Mousse Cake
Mango Mousse Cake is another super light and refreshing dessert that is great to serve after a fancy dinner party. Made with a buttery sponge layer cake and topped with an airy, yogurt-based mango-loaded mousse, this cake is fragrant, delicious, and incredibly easy to make. It is also beautiful and eye-catching– you won’t want to cut through it!
17. Ferrero Rocher Cake
Ferrero Rocher candies are often associated with fancy celebration desserts, and this rich chocolate cake is no exception! This decadent dessert takes moist layers of chocolate hazelnut sponge cake, covers it with a silky Nutella mousseline cream, and then decorates it with loads of crunchy hazelnuts and crushed Ferrero Rocher chocolates. It is super chocolatey (for you chocolate lovers out there), but thanks to my signature frosting recipe, it is not overly sweet.
18. Croquembouche
Croquembouche is hands-down one of the best luxury fancy desserts you can make to impress your friends. Translating to mean “crunch in your mouth” in French, this classic French pastry dessert uses creamy caramel to bind together diplomat cream-filled choux pastry puffs into an impressive cone-shaped tower. It isn’t just stunning to view, but it is absolutely delicious!
19. Baklava Cheesecake
Crispy, creamy, and light, this baklava cheesecake may be one of the best cheesecakes you will ever try! This easy, delicious cheesecake recipe takes the traditional baklava to the next level with light cream cheese filling placed on top of walnut-filled filo pastry layers soaked in aromatic honey rosewater syrup. Once you try it, you will want to make it over and over again!
20. Wine Mousse Parfait
If you are looking for a boozy infusion for your next dessert, look no further than this easy wine mousse parfait! This summer-inspired parfait brings together white wine and peach compote to create a sweet and refreshing mousse wine lovers will fall in love with. Serve it in a fancy wine glass and sprinkle on a decoration of your choice for one of the best fancy desserts you will ever lay your eyes on.
21. Clafoutis
Clafoutis is another classic French recipe with a custardy, flan-like consistency and plenty of versatility to make it one of the best fancy desserts to appear on your table. Although often made with cherries, you can make it using a variety of fresh fruit. It is then topped with powdered sugar or cream and served warm. Not only is it a beautiful dessert, but it is also one of the most easy fancy dessert recipes you will ever make!
22. Strawberry Pavlova Cake
Perfect for Spring or Summer, this fancy Strawberry Pavlova Cake is one of the most delicious desserts you will ever sink your teeth into. Crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, this cake is made with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream and decorated with fresh mint leaves. It is also naturally gluten-free!
23. Crème Brûlée Macarons
If you like crème brûlée and macarons, this combination will be a dream come true! This recipe takes the traditional creamy custard crème brûlée filling and sandwiches it between two bite-sized macaron shells. It is then topped with crunchy caramelized sugar for decoration. The result is a crunchy, chewy, smooth, and silky treat that will have you craving more.
24. Palmiers
Also known as “elephant ears,” this incredibly easy two-ingredient recipe just may be one of the simplest fancy desserts you will ever make. Using store-bought puff pastry and a bit of sugar, these delicious bakery-style cookies are sweet, buttery, light, and crunchy. Its unique shape is quite elegant, making it one of the best fancy desserts easy to make when you don’t have much time to prepare or don’t want to spend a fortune on ingredients.
25. Fraisier Cake
Fraisier Cake most definitely takes the win when it comes to fancy strawberry cakes. Also known as French strawberry cake, Fraisier Cake consists of moist, buttery sponge layers filled with vanilla bean Crème Mousseline, layered with strawberry compote, and beautifully decorated with fresh strawberries. As impressive as this cake looks, it is pretty easy to make!
26. Pecan Upside Down Cake
Perfect for Fall or Thanksgiving, this super moist cake is festive, fancy, and the perfect combination of tender and crunchy. Pecan Upside Down Cake has moist, vanilla-flavored yogurt cake as a base and crunchy, caramelized pecans as a topping. Bake it in a bundt pan for a fun, upside-down appearance, or use a regular cake pan for a more traditional cake.
27. Floating Island Dessert
Also known as île flottante in France, this classic, creamy dessert is one of the best fancy desserts to consider if you want to avoid using the oven. Made with simple kitchen staples such as milk, sugar, egg, and vanilla, Floating Islands are no-bake and incredibly easy to make. Top it with nuts, chocolate bits, fruit, or a caramel glaze to make it even more fancy. Did I mention that it is also gluten-free?
28. Napoleon Cake
Made with thin layers of crunchy puff pastry and silky pastry cream, Napoleon Cake is a light, moist, and creamy dessert that isn’t just elegant but delicious. Each of its thin layers is filled with rich vanilla pastry cream. The outside of the cake has a smooth, light layer of cream coated in finely crushed puff pastry pieces. Serve it as it is, or garnish it with fresh berries for a bright, more eye-catching appearance.
29. Apple Rose Puff Pastry
There’s nothing quite like the warm flavors of a cinnamon-apple dessert, especially on a crisp Fall evening. This sweet apple rose puff pastry combines soft, tender puff pastry, cinnamon, sugar, and crisp, sweet apples. They are then rolled into a beautiful rose shape, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and brushed with a mouthwatering apple glaze.
30. Black Forest Cake
Chocolate lovers, pay attention because this black forest cake is one of the best fancy desserts you will ever see. This easy recipe takes moist chocolate sponge cake infused with cherry liqueur (optional) and then layers it with a whipped cream frosting. It is then decorated with fresh cherries and chocolate bark for a stunning, photo-worthy appearance and rich, chocolatey flavor.
31. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
There is strawberry cheesecake, and then there are these decadent, bite-sized cheesecake-stuffed strawberries! This simple, easy-to-make recipe puts a twist on the traditional cheesecake topped with strawberries by stuffing fresh strawberries with sweet, creamy cheesecake instead. They are then topped with crushed graham crackers for a sweet treat simple enough to enjoy at home but beautiful enough to be considered one of the best fancy desserts for a crowd!
32. Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
If you love peanut butter, you will want to add this homemade chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream cake to your dessert menu! Layered with homemade chocolate cake and no-churn peanut butter icing, then topped with creamy chocolate ganache and chopped peanut butter cups, this decadent dessert will be the highlight of your day!
33. Strawberry Panna Cotta
This Strawberry Panna Cotta recipe is a refreshing, no-bake dessert lighter than a traditional Panna Cotta but just as delicious! Made with a combination of Greek yogurt and heavy cream, it has a richer flavor but packs fewer calories than Panna Cotta made only from heavy cream. The aromatic strawberry sauce provides just the right amount of sweetness, so no need for a ton of sugar!
34. Chocolate Covered Strawberries Tuxedo Style
This recipe puts a fun twist on regular chocolate-covered strawberries. Using fresh strawberries, white chocolate melts, and dark chocolate melts, these strawberries are “dressed” in tuxedos. If you are looking for one of the best fancy desserts to have on the table for a bridal shower, wedding reception, New Year’s party, or another fancy event, make sure to add these to your list!
35. Creamy Strawberry Semifreddo with Macadamia Nut
This Creamy Strawberry Semifreddo is another fancy dessert that will have your guests raving. With the texture of a frozen mousse similar to ice cream and a light, fruity strawberry compote topping, this refreshing dessert is an excellent answer to a hot summer day. And guess what? No fancy equipment is required!
Fancy Desserts FAQs
Store baked goods and cakes at room temperature or refrigerated in an airtight container to preserve the maximum freshness. If the cake has already been cut, gently place plastic wrap over the slice before putting it in the container.
A dessert is typically classified as “gourmet” based on two factors: The quality of its ingredients and its ability to be replicated. Gourmet desserts use only the finest ingredients and techniques and offer a difficult-to-duplicate experience, unlike most regular desserts as well as exceptional look and taste.
You can easily turn a basic dessert into a fancy one by plating it on dishes with unique, visually pleasing shapes. When it comes to the dessert itself, using various textures and contrasting colors helps to enhance its appearance.
Related Fancy Dessert Recipes
Top 35 Best Fancy Desserts
Top 35 Best Fancy Desserts
- Coconut Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit
- White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Chocolate Ganache Cake
- Paris-Brest
- Biscoff Cupcakes with Biscoff Buttercream
- Classic French Madeleines
- Choux Au Craquelin
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
- Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
- Sicilian Ricotta Pie
- Bavarian Cream Donuts
- Greek Yogurt Cookies
- Tiramisu Cookies
- Raspberry Ruby Ice Cream Bar
- Millie Feuille
- Mango Mousse Cake
- Ferrero Rocher Cake
- Croquembouche
- Baklava Cheesecake
- Wine Mousse Parfait
- Clafoutis
- Strawberry Pavlova Cake
- Crème Brûlée Macarons
- Palmiers
- Fraisier Cake
- Pecan Upside Down Cake
- Floating Island Dessert
- Napoleon Cake
- Apple Rose Puff Pastry
- Black Forest Cake
- Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
- Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
- Strawberry Panna Cotta
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries Tuxedo Style
- Creamy Strawberry Semifreddo with Macadamia Nut
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