Sometimes you want to treat yourself to something a little extra special. These impressive fancy desserts will help you do just that!
Date night? Birthday Celebration? Special occasion? Dinner party? A quiet night in of self-care?
These impressive desserts will help you do it no matter which box you’re ticking. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a dessert worthy of a restaurant.
Check out these forty-one gourmet desserts to take your dessert game from zero to hero!
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What are the Most Delicious Desserts in the World?
There are so many beautiful desserts to choose from. Every country has its crowning jewel.
You’ve got baklava from Turkey and Black Forest Cake from Germany. There’s mochi from Japan and a trifle from England. Italy has affogato, and Brazil has brigadeiro. There are so many to choose from!
Fancy Desserts You’ll Want to Make Over and Over Again
Apart from eating it, there’s another great thing about making fancy desserts. Making them your signature. If you have tasty treats everyone knows you for, you’re the life of the party.
Are you headed to a neighbourhood potluck? Hosting a dinner party? Wondering what to make for a friend’s birthday? These are all chances to show the world your signature fancy dessert.
Chocolate Fancy Desserts
Chocolate is the ultimate luxury. It’s the perfect foundation for a fancy dessert. You can enjoy chocolate in almost any shape or size, so it’s great for a solo night or a big party!
1. Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
Source: lifecurrentsblog.com
Let’s kick things off with a classic: a cheesecake. Namely, a delicious raspberry chocolate cake! This flavor combination was sent from heaven to bless mortals like us with a sweet tooth.
The rich chocolate blends with tart raspberry to create a taste you have to keep going back for.
2. Marjolaine
Source: baking-sense.com
Next up is a fancy French dessert that will make you swoon. You can’t go wrong with layers of meringue, nut, and chocolate!
Bring your baking chops to bear against this recipe. It’s a light layered dessert with many different flavors creating a rich tapestry.
3. Dark Chocolate Flourless Cake
Source: whatagirleats.com
This cake is known as ‘La Bete Noir’ or ‘The Black Beast.’ It hails from Bon Appetit!
The rich chocolate and tart raspberry is the perfect pair. Satisfy your gluten-free friends and family with a super simple yet rich cake.
4. Chocolate Strawberry Kabobs
Source: drugstoredivas.net
If you love s’mores, you’re going to love this one. This recipe is a great one to reach for if your kids need a last-minute fancy dessert to take to a party.
It takes no time to assemble a large batch of these skewers. If you’re low on time, you can even buy the chocolate truffles pre-made to save some time.
5. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cakes
Source: mommyevolution.com
Surprise and impress with these decadent chocolate peanut butter cakes. They look super fancy, but that’s not the best part. They taste exactly like everyone’s favorite peanut butter cup candy!
6. Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
Source: thatskinnychickcanbake.com
Who needs something complex when a classic will do? This delicious six-layer cake is fancy because it’s pure luxury on a plate.
If you are a chocolate lover you must make these 5-ingredient brownies!
Fancy Mini Desserts
Are you gearing up for a fun party with some friends? Impress them with one or more of the fancy mini desserts on this list! These are great to be enjoyed in one bite.
7. Apple Rose Puffs
Source: homemadeandyummy.com
Simple, fancy, and tasty. These apple rose puffs check all the boxes! Each elegant puff is perfect for a summer brunch party or a high tea with some friends.
The hardest part about making these is assembling the actual roses. Once the technique is down, you’ll be cranking them out in the hundreds.
8. Mini Honey Balsamic Berry Cheesecake
Source: thriftyjinxy.com
After something a little bit simpler? These mini cheesecakes taste great, and they’re easy to make. Every bit is packed with honey and balsamic berry flavor for a semi-sweet kick you’ll love.
9. Fruit Cheesecake Cookie Cups
Source: twokidsandacoupon.com
Put a tasty twist on your two favorite desserts: cheesecake and cookies. There’s nothing better than blending two desserts that taste amazing on their own!
These little cups are so cute, and they taste delicious.
10. Mini Eclairs
Source: mindeescookingobsession.com
It’s time to take on choux pastry. This is a great place to start if you’ve never worked with choux. Mini eclairs are pretty simple, and the results are a real crowd-pleaser.
The best part is that you can put your twist on the flavors you choose.
11. Mini Creme Brulé Cheesecakes
Source: pizzazzerie.com
Put on a gorgeous brunch with these adorable crème brulée cheesecakes. Each bite-sized morsel has all the richness of a full crème brulée. The cheesecake part adds a lovely tart flavor that’s addictive!
While they look super fancy, these aren’t very hard to make. Plus, you get to whip out a blow torch to brown the sugar before serving. Who doesn’t love an excuse to use a blow torch in the kitchen?
12. Mini Fruit Tarts
Source: partylicious.net
Here’s a classic that keeps coming back in style. Mini fruit tarts are loved for a reason! They’re rich thanks to the custard, but the fruit keeps them fresh.
Pair that with a buttery tart shell, and you’re golden. Love mini foods? These mini desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth.
13. Coffee Macarons
Source: partylicious.net
These coffee macarons are the perfect way to enjoy an after-dinner hit of coffee.
The shells crunch and crumble into the coffee buttercream when you take a bite. Seriously, these things are addictive. You might even use them in gift bags for your guests to take home!
14. Choux Pastry
Source: partylicious.net
These may seem super fancy, but they’re one of the simplest desserts you can make!
These little French delights are a great way to celebrate someone special. Deliver a box of these to a Valentine or gift them on Christmas Eve. They’re best served fresh, so make sure to move quickly.
Easy Fancy Desserts
Making a fancy dessert doesn’t have to be a mission. These easy dessert recipes will let you enjoy the fancy flavor without much effort.
15. Instant Pot Flan
Source: 24bite.com
When the words ‘Instant Pot’ and ‘flan’ appear in a recipe, you know two things. One: it will be delicious. Two: it will be an easy recipe to bring to life!
You can dress this easy dessert up or down depending on your time. A simple side of whipped cream can go a long way.
16. Carrot Cake Cheesecake
Source: all-thats-jas.com
A good carrot cake is its reward. Now, imagine it as a cheesecake. Have I got your attention? This recipe creates a stunning dessert that every one of your guests will love.
17. Tiramisu Cheesecake
Source: all-thats-jas.com
Try this tiramisu cheesecake on for size. Cheesecake is a super simple dessert that’s great for achieving luxury on a time budget.
The tiramisu flavors laced through this gorgeous cake will make your tastebuds sing.
18. Mixed Berry Tart
Source: mommyevolution.com
Looking for something a little fresh? Taste summer’s warm days with this delicious mixed berry tart with fresh blueberries.
This gorgeous tart is super easy to pull together with the things you have at home.
19. Raspberry Chia Pudding
Source: natalieshealth.com
Here’s a fancy dessert that could double as breakfast! That’s right. This raspberry chia pudding has all the nutrients of a morning meal. But it tastes just like a luxurious dessert.
Love chia? You’ll love this strawberry chia pudding.
20. Mint Chip Ice Cream Bon Bons
Source: foodpluswords.com
Cut through the heat of summer with these icy mint chip bon bons. The refreshing mint flavor is the perfect way to combat hot days!
21. No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Source: splashoftaste.com
This is a seven-ingredient dessert you can pull together in almost no time. Everyone coming to the party will be desperate to get a piece of this fantastic cheesecake!
Whip out this recipe when you need a quick crowd-pleasing dessert you can make ahead.
Christmas Desserts
Get ready for the holiday season with some fancy desserts. Impress your friends and family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with these fabulous treats!
22. Salted Caramel Cheesecake
Source: fabfood4all.co.uk
Jump into the Christmas spirit with a salted caramel cheesecake. It’s so creamy and full of rich caramel! Even the Biscoff base screams Christmas!
This is a super simple dessert you can make ahead.
23. Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bourbon Butter Sauce
Source: lifecurrentsblog.com
Bread pudding is a classic old English dessert that has survived the test of time. This one is even better than the old version because it has pockets of melted chocolate!
This dessert delivers on that dream. It’s so warm and comforting. Perfect for Christmas!
24. English Christmas Trifle
Source: whatagirleats.com
Speaking of classic English desserts, this trifle is a must-try! Layer pound cake, custard, cream, and berries to create a delicious dessert. It’s so simple, but the result is so pretty.
The red and white colors make this an ideal centerpiece for your Christmas dinner table.
25. Raspberry Chocolate Mousse
Source: mightymrs.com
Mousse is a great dessert if you want to make your last course ahead of time. Let it set in the fridge overnight and pull it out the next day to the awe of your guests.
Top with a few fresh raspberries for a festive spin!
26. Roasted Cinnamon Buttery Pears
Source: cookingwithk.net
Roasted pears at Christmas is a combination as old as time itself. This festive recipe will delight everyone sitting down to dinner, trust me. Plus, they’re super elegant.
All you have to do is prepare the pears to be roasted ahead of time.
27. White Forest Cake
Source: ofbatteranddough.com
You’ve heard of the German Black Forest Cake. But why not give that idea a festive spin? This white forest cake is a lighter version of a Christmas classic, like snow dusting treetops.
Enjoy more delicious German desserts that taste amazing.
Fancy Vegan Desserts
Some people think being vegan means you can’t enjoy great desserts anymore. It’s time to prove them wrong. These fancy vegan desserts prove just how tasty this life can be.
28. Grape Sorbet
Source: mommyevolution.com
Cool off from those hot summer days with this delicious grape sorbet. Black grapes have a dark sweetness that’s perfect for this treat.
If you’ve been living the vegan life for a while, you know how great it is to find a good sorbet recipe. Trust me.
29. Vegan Chocolate Tart
Source: nosweatvegan.com
Here’s a luxurious chocolate tart that everyone can enjoy. Whether vegan or not, you’ll love the rich flavors in this dessert. The berries on top help balance that rich flavor perfectly.
This could be your go-to if you’re stuck for a date night dessert.
30. Vegan Lemon Cake
Source: fromthecomfortofmybowl.com
Be the belle of the brunch ball with this gorgeous lemon cake. Vegan or not, your friends and family will love this cake with lemon zest.
You can also get creative with the decorations. Dried citrus fruit and yellow buttercream are all you need to create a cake that looks like it should be in a bakery.
31. Vanilla Coconut Scones
Source: plantbasedonabudget.com
These delicious scones could double as a tea treat or brunch item. Vanilla and coconut are the perfect pair in this light and tasty recipe.
They’re great to whip out if you need a quick and easy sweet treat on short notice!
Love the tropical taste of these scones? Enjoy these 4-ingredient coconut macaroons!
32. Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
Source: beplantwell.com
I haven’t met a person who doesn’t love a good strawberry shortcake. It’s the perfect dessert! Bring moist scones and sweet strawberries together with a dollop of perfectly-whipped cream.
These come together in no time. Prepare the shortcakes in advance and keep them off to the side.
33. Dark Chocolate Espresso Cupcake
Source: brighteyedbaker.com
Nothing says luxury like chocolate. I’m telling you, no one will be able to tell that these cupcakes are vegan. The chocolate and espresso in the batter keep the cakes so moist and rich!
Pair that with your favorite vegan chocolate treats, and you win. You can even make them gluten-free.
34. Vegan Pavlova
Source: bakedbyclo.com
Pavlova is made with meringue, which inherently has eggs in it. So, how do you get a vegan pavlova? You use aqua faba! It’s that water leftover from when you cook chickpeas.
It allows you to create a vegan meringue you can dress with whatever toppings you like.
Best Fancy Desserts
But the real question is, which are the best fancy desserts? Which ones will blow your socks off and make you wish you could survive on just desserts?
35. Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake
Source: chocolatemoosey.com
This cake brings sunshine and warmth with every bite. Making and eating this cake is all about enjoying the flavors of lemon.
I love serving up cakes like this at summer barbecues or brunches. They’re the perfect place to celebrate the citrus flavors in every slice!
36. Blueberry Lemon Cake
Source: theviewfromgreatisland.com
Speaking of citrus, here’s another one for you to try! This cake pairs earthy blueberry with lemon to create a lovely balanced taste. It’s sweet without being too sweet.
The blueberries also stand out against the yellow cake to create a vision of the perfect dessert. Whip this tasty delight up in no time at all.
37. Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake
Source: chocolatemoosey.com
Celebrate fresh strawberries with one of the best cheesecake recipes out there. This is a baked cheesecake. However, the texture is so smooth you’d think it was a no-bake version!
The bright splash of strawberries in every bite makes this cake sing.
38. Poach Pear Almond French Tart
Source: all-thats-jas.com
Looking for something a little more refined? This French tart is sure to impress everyone sitting down to dinner. The nutty almond filling pairs beautifully with light and bright roasted pears.
This is an autumn treat. Enjoy when the leaves change color, and the first cool breeze hits the air.
39. Persian Rosewater Cream Puffs
Source: honestandtasty.com
Also called Noon Khamei, Persian rosewater cream puffs are to die for. They’re just as light and creamy as regular cream puffs. The amazing part comes from the hint of rosewater in the cream.
It’s a delicate dish that would fit right in at a fancy brunch or as a dinner party dessert.
40. Berry Chantilly Cake
Source: bostongirlbakes.com
Looking for something simple yet fancy? This berry Chantilly cake will satisfy you! It doesn’t take much time or effort to create, but your guests will love how it tastes.
Speckle as many berries as you like through the layers. The more berries, the more seasonal sweetness your guests will enjoy.
41. French Canele
Source: partylicious.net
Finally, we have the French Canele. These pastries are native to France and feature a chewy crust with soft vanilla custard. In other words, they’re addictive.
So, now that you’ve seen the list do you have a favorite fancy dessert? Which one can’t you wait to try? Let me know in the comments below if you have any go-to fancy dessert recipes!