Chocolate Lava Cake
The chocolate lava cake is a decadent dessert that oozes with molten chocolatey goodness. A rich chocolate cake batter is filled with a molten chocolate center. As the cake bakes, the outside firms up while the inside remains liquid. When you cut into the cake, the chocolate center spills out, creating a chocolate lava flow. The contrast between the warm, gooey center and the slightly crisp outer cake is utterly delicious. For extra decadence top the cake with vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Creme Brulee
A classic French dessert, creme brulee is a rich custard base topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. The custard is made from a mixture of cream, egg yolks, and sugar, and is baked in a water bath which results in a silky and creamy texture. Once cooled, a layer of sugar is sprinkled on top and caramelized with a kitchen torch until browned and crisp. When you break through the sugar topping, your spoon sinks into the luscious custard below. Creme brulee is a simple dessert but one that is perfectly executed.
Tiramisu
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that translates to “pick me up.” And with layers of coffee soaked cake, mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, and chocolate, tiramisu will certainly lift your spirits. Savoiardi biscuits, also known as ladyfingers, are dipped in espresso coffee and layered with a rich mascarpone cheese custard. The dessert is usually chilled before serving, which allows the flavors and textures to develop. A dusting of cocoa powder adds a hint of chocolate. Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that is decadent, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
New York Cheesecake
New York cheesecake is an American icon. A mixture of cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and sometimes sour cream or lemon juice are blended until smooth and poured into a graham cracker crust. The cheesecake is baked until the center is slightly wobbly, then cooled and chilled before serving. The classic version is unadorned, but cheesecake also pairs well with fruit sauces and compotes like cherry, strawberry or blueberry. The hallmark of a New York cheesecake is its rich and creamy texture. With just a thin crust on the bottom, the focus is on the indulgent cheesecake.
Flourless Chocolate Cake
For chocolate decadence, nothing beats a flourless chocolate cake. As the name suggests, no flour is used which results in an ultra-rich and fudgy cake. Eggs, sugar, chocolate, and sometimes butter are the main ingredients. Because no flour is used, the cake has a dense, truffle-like texture that melts in your mouth. Flourless chocolate cake is usually coated in a chocolate ganache for extra chocolatey bliss. When cut, the cake reveals its molten, barely-set center. For chocolate lovers, flourless chocolate cake is the ultimate sweet treat.
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a classic American dessert that is sweet, sticky, and nutty. The filling is made from brown sugar, corn syrup or honey, eggs, and pecans. The mixture is poured into a pie crust and baked until the filling sets. The brown sugar and corn syrup melt into a gooey sauce as the pie bakes. The pecans rise to the top, creating a nutty layer with the sticky filling below. Pecan pie is usually served warm or at room temperature topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It’s a decadent dessert that combines the flavors of caramel, molasses, and nuts.
Crepes Suzette
For a theatrical dessert experience, crepes suzette is hard to beat. Thin crepes are folded or stacked and doused in an orange sauce made from butter, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. The sauce is prepared tableside and ignited, creating impressive flames and an enticing aroma. Once the flames die down, the crepes are plated and topped with the warm orange sauce. The sweet-tart orange sauce pairs beautifully with the lightly crisped crepes. Crepes suzette is a classic French dessert with a dash of drama and flair.
Profiteroles
Profiteroles are cream puffs filled with ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. The puff pastry shells are hollow inside and made from choux pastry dough. Once baked, they are split open and filled with vanilla ice cream. The profiteroles are then drizzled with warm chocolate sauce and sometimes topped with sliced almonds or powdered sugar. With crispy pastry shells, cold ice cream, and melted chocolate, profiteroles combine textures and temperatures for a scrumptious dessert. They are a decadent treat and a showstopper at any dinner party.
Red Velvet Cake
Red velvet cake has a dramatic red color thanks to food coloring. But underneath the bright exterior is a classic American buttermilk cake layered with cream cheese frosting. The subtle cocoa flavor of the cake pairs perfectly with the tangy cream cheese frosting. Red velvet cake has experienced a resurgence in popularity and for good reason. With its eye-catching color and delicious flavor combination, red velvet cake is a sweet treat that makes any occasion feel special. Top slices of the cake with crushed pecans, shredded coconut or chocolate curls for extra decadence.
Macarons
Macarons are colorful French sandwich cookies that have become popular around the world. Two almond macaron shells are sandwiched together with a creamy filling like buttercream, ganache or fruit curd. Macaron shells are made from egg whites, sugar, and ground almonds and are piped before baking to create neat, uniform shapes. Once cooled, they are filled with your choice of decadent flavor like chocolate, raspberry, pistachio or salted caramel. Bite into a macaron and you’ll discover a crisp shell that gives way to a soft, chewy center. Elegant, whimsical and delicious, macarons are sweet treats that delight all the senses.
Pavlova
Named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, pavlova is a dramatic dessert with a crisp meringue base and soft, sweet topping. Egg whites are whipped until stiff and then baked until firm yet marshmallowy. The meringue base is topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit like berries, kiwi, passionfruit or tropical fruits. The contrast between the airy pavlova base and the whipped cream and fruit is stunning. Pavlova is a lighter, fruit-filled alternative to heavier desserts. With its pillowy texture and fresh, tangy fruit, pavlova is a sweet treat perfect for summer.
Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches cake is a sponge cake soaked in a sweet milk syrup. The cake absorbs the syrup, resulting in a dense yet moist crumb. The milk syrup is usually made from a combination of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream or milk. Once the cake has soaked up the syrup, it is topped with whipped cream and sometimes fresh fruit like berries. Tres leches cake has a subtle caramel flavor from the condensed milk and a richness from the evaporated milk and cream. It’s an over-the-top decadent dessert that is not too sweet thanks to the milk’s cooling effect. Tres leches cake melts in your mouth and is perfect for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.