After a mid-morning brunch or light lunch at a bridal shower, few guests want to sit down for a rich, heavy, gooey dessert. If you are hosting your own bridal shower, petite treats—like cookies, individual cakes, and miniature pastries on a bridal shower dessert table—are often more popular choices. “A bridal shower is pretty and elegant,” says Chef Daniel Kleinhandler of Sugar, Butter, Chocolate. “A full dessert doesn’t always translate when you’re having lighter bites.” Offering a selection of smaller sweets also allows shower hosts to accommodate a wide variety of guests who may only have one thing (the bride) in common. “You have friends from work, the family, the best friends from college, and not all of them are going to be interested in the same desserts,” says Kleinhandler.
Creating a bridal shower dessert table menu that takes into account flavors, treat types, and allergies guarantees each guest can find an old (or new) favorite, whether it’s your grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies or mini cakes from your favorite big-name bakery. “The thought process is having flavors and accessibility for everybody,” says Kleinhandler. “You don’t want chocolate cookies, brownies, and a chocolate mousse. If someone doesn’t like chocolate, they’re not eating dessert.” Opt for one item with chocolate, one that’s fruit-based, and at least one other choice; then make sure at least one of the three will satisfy any food allergies—nut-free, gluten-free—among your guests.
If the bridal shower is centered around a sit-down meal, then your dessert options can include pie, cake, or other dishes that require a knife and fork. If you offered passed bites at hightop tables, skip the messy items in favor of one- or two-bite pastries, cookies, or cakes that guests can eat without awkward spills.
Brides (and their families) who can’t go without cake can include a smaller version as a centerpiece of the table; take into account that guests who eat a slice of cake will eat fewer small desserts on the side. Kleinhandler recommends that planners assume most guests will eat five or six bites of dessert. A cupcake is usually three or four bites, so you can expect a guest who has one to eat one other small item or two miniature sweets. This means with a wide variety of treats—think five different items on the table—you likely won’t need one of each for every guest. The exception, he says, are the family-favorite recipes that every guest will want to try. “If you’re making the brownie that’s the recipe your grandma made, obviously you need one for everyone—that’s a conversation point!” he adds
The most important element to consider when planning a bridal shower dessert table, says Kleinhandler, is the bride herself. “When a party is centered around somebody, it should be filled with things that make them happy,” he explains. “We look for flavors they like, personality traits, and try to make it feel as customized to the person being celebrated as possible.” This might include desserts that nod to the bride’s or groom’s cultural backgrounds; recreations of favorite family recipes, like Nana’s butter cookies or homemade cobbler; or themed designs that reference the bride’s favorite things. “Part of what makes these celebrations special is bringing elements of who we are and our history and our memories into them,” says Kleinhandler.
Looking for bridal shower dessert inspiration? We’re sharing 30 beautiful, delectable ideas the bride and her guests are sure to love.
