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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    21 Mini Desserts Perfect for Dessert Bars and Effortless Party Hosting

    Published: Jan 16, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Mini desserts are perfect for adding a fun, crowd-pleasing touch to dessert bars or parties without any extra hassle. They’re easy to serve, look great on display, and give guests the chance to sample a mix of flavors without committing to a full-sized treat. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a big celebration, these little treats make pulling off a memorable spread practically effortless.

    Mini Pecan Pie Tarts With A Cream Cheese Crust

    Pecan tarts on a display rack.
    Mini Pecan Pie Tarts With A Cream Cheese Crust. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This SIMPLE recipe for mini pecan pie tarts uses cream cheese in the crust for an extra flaky pastry paired with the gooey-ist, richest, filling.
    Get the Recipe: Mini Pecan Pie Tarts With A Cream Cheese Crust

    Brownies With Edible Cookie Dough Frosting

    Two stacked dessert bars with a dense chocolate brownie base and a thick layer of chocolate chip cookie dough on top, perfect for back to school desserts, with scattered chocolate chips in the background.
    Brownies With Edible Cookie Dough Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

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    Brownies with cookie dough frosting are like getting two desserts in one. Enjoy a rich fudgy brownie topped with a cookie dough frosting!
    Get the Recipe: Brownies With Edible Cookie Dough Frosting

    Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling

    Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Tangy pink lemonade cookies with fresh lemon and raspberry filling. A buttery, citrusy treat everyone will love!
    Get the Recipe: Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling

    Chess Bars With Pecans (Chess Squares)

    Several golden-brown blondies are arranged on a black plate. The squares have a slightly cracked surface and a chewy texture, making them an irresistible choice for Super Bowl desserts.
    Chess Bars With Pecans (Chess Squares). Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    These Chess Bars combine brown sugar, butter, eggs, and pecans for a chewy, irresistible treat.
    Get the Recipe: Chess Bars With Pecans (Chess Squares)

    Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bars

    Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bars. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Raspberry Oatmeal Bars use a chocolate brownie base, a fruity raspberry preserve filling, and a crumbly oat topping to create a decadent, fruity treat.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bars

    Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

    strawberry cheesecake bars on a baking tray.
    Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Creamy cheesecake bars with a baked on strawberry topping are just the thing for your next party or gathering.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

    Bright And Tangy Lemon Curd Cookies

    Bright And Tangy Lemon Curd Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Lemon Curd Cookies made with butter, lemon zest, and homemade lemon curd filling. A bright, buttery treat with a tangy twist.
    Get the Recipe: Bright And Tangy Lemon Curd Cookies

    Chewy Caramel Cookie Bars (One Bowl)

    Chewy Caramel Cookie Bars (One Bowl). Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    These Caramel Bars with pecans and a sweet caramel topping are an easy, irresistible treat that’s sure to hit the spot.
    Get the Recipe: Chewy Caramel Cookie Bars (One Bowl)

    Fudgy Coconut Brownies

    Fudgy Coconut Brownies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Fudgy brownies with a sweet coconut filling, featuring chocolate, cream cheese, and coconut for a tropical twist on a classic dessert.
    Get the Recipe: Fudgy Coconut Brownies

    Raspberry White Chocolate Bars

    Six Dessert Bars are shown on parchment paper. These blondies have a golden-brown base with swirls of vibrant red raspberry sauce and visible chunks of white chocolate throughout.
    Raspberry White Chocolate Bars. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Raspberry White Chocolate Bars are a blondie with white chocolate mixed in and topped raspberries. Almond meal and browned butter make these magical.
    Get the Recipe: Raspberry White Chocolate Bars

    Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies

    Bright red velvet thumbprint cookies coated in sugar, each with a creamy yellow filling in the center, displayed on a light marble surface—a delightful twist on classic red velvet desserts.
    Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies are a delicious cookie made even better with a cheesecake center.
    Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies

    Easy Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake)

    A stack of chocolate peanut butter bars.
    Easy Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With just five ingredients, these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars couldn’t be easier. Creamy peanut butter covered in chocolate, a great treat for any occasion.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake)

    Lemon Snowflake Cookies

    Lemon crinkle cookies on a cooling rack.
    Lemon Snowflake Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Lemon crinkle cookies or snowflakes are a chewy lemony cookie coated in powdered sugar that give them a burst of island flavor in every bite.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Snowflake Cookies

    Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies With White Chocolate

    An individual haystack cookie.
    Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies With White Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Old-fashioned haystack cookies are made from the easiest no-bake recipe. Creamy, crispy, and perfectly sweet with just a hint of saltiness.
    Get the Recipe: Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies With White Chocolate

    No-Bake Homemade Cereal Bars With Chex Cereal

    A platter of homemade chex cereal bars.
    No-Bake Homemade Cereal Bars With Chex Cereal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Peanut butter Chex cereal bars are chock full of peanut butter and chocolate. Irresistible treats for any occasion. No-bake and ready in minutes!
    Get the Recipe: No-Bake Homemade Cereal Bars With Chex Cereal

    Shortbread Toffee Bars With Chocolate

    Shortbread Toffee Bars With Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Buttery shortbread is topped with a gooey sweet layer and then covered with chocolate and toffee bits for an amazing dessert bar.
    Get the Recipe: Shortbread Toffee Bars With Chocolate

    Easy Rich No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

    Easy Rich No-Bake Cheesecake Cups. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This easy to make No-Bake Cheesecake Cups recipe has a homemade graham cracker crust and a rich creamy cheesecake filling.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Rich No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

    No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Jello Pie

    No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Jello Pie. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Jello Pie is a quick, no-bake dessert, that is easy-to-make using only three-ingredients.
    Get the Recipe: No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Jello Pie

    Easy And Moist Mini Bundt Cakes

    Easy And Moist Mini Bundt Cakes. Photo credit: Frosting and Fettuccine.

    These mini bundt cakes are vanilla flavored and can be topped with many different flavored glazes. They are super moist and easy to make!
    Get the Recipe: Easy And Moist Mini Bundt Cakes

    Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes

    Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    With an Oreo crust and Nutella topping, these Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes are simple and easy to make. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
    Get the Recipe: Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes

    Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Tarts

    Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Tarts. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Tarts start with phyllo shells filled with a creamy filling, and then topped with whipped cream!
    Get the Recipe: Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Tarts

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

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