Unique & Trendy Dessert Ideas

While classic desserts are tried and true, they can be a bit boring. If you want your customers to end their meal on a high note, consider offering them something different. By incorporating unique and trendy dessert ideas into your restaurant’s dessert menu, you can differentiate your establishment from others and stay relevant in customers’ minds.

Egg Roll Desserts

Even though the word “egg roll” probably doesn’t make you think of dessert, you’d be surprised how delicious filling an egg roll wrapper with pie or cheesecake filling can be. In fact, egg roll wrappers are so versatile, you can use them to make mini peach cobblers or chocolate tarts in muffin pans, too. With something this different, you’re sure to outshine your competition’s desserts. 

Coffee-Infused Desserts

Coffee lovers can rejoice because coffee and desserts make for a great mix. Whether it’s mocha-flavored ice cream or a fancy espresso-infused pastry, coffee works well as a flavor in a variety of desserts. You can even infuse coffee into sweets like cupcakes, pies and cookies. 

Spices in Desserts

This one may sound a little unusual, but you’ll be shocked by how good it is. Spices like black pepper, cayenne, rosemary, anise and more can really spice up the flavor of your desserts in a way that will wow your customers. If you need recipe ideas, the subtle spiciness in lemon-thyme shortbread cookies is a good way to introduce curious customers to this new food trend.

Air Fryer Donuts

Air fryer recipes are popping up all over the place, so it should be no surprise that air fryer donuts are now a super trendy dessert. Customers can partake in a classic dessert this way while knowing it’s slightly healthier than a deep-fried donut. This dessert trend is great to help cater to people looking for a healthier option. 

Dessert Waffle Pops

Waffles may be a breakfast food, but now they’re also a dessert food. Dessert waffle pops are exactly as they sound. They consist of a waffle on a stick covered in things like frostings and drizzles and all sorts of toppings like chocolate and sprinkles. Your customers are sure to share photos of these treats on Instagram, promoting your restaurant on social media for free. 

Lunchbox Cakes

A hit in Korean bakeries, lunchbox cakes are 4-inch versions of standard layer cakes. Unlike cupcakes, these mini cakes are wide and flat on the top, so it’s easy to make them special with a written message or some fancy designs. For even more whimsy, serve your miniature birthday, red velvet or carrot cakes on beautiful dessert plates or in small, decorative boxes.

Dessert Boards

Since charcuterie boards are always popular, let customers mix and match cookies, candies and other treats to make their own smorgasbords of desserts. Not only are these dessert boards delicious, but they’re also fun to build and eat as a group. These platters are full of colors, heights and textures, so don’t be surprised if your customers share photos of their beautiful creations on social media.

Checkerboard Desserts

Although marbled cakes are nothing new, people will take a second look at desserts with a checkerboard pattern. Whether it’s a cake with pink and yellow squares for Mother’s Day or cookies with orange and black checkers for Halloween, these reality-defying desserts are very attention-getting: they’re also very Instagrammable and Tiktokable, too.

Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Desserts

Although unique, photogenic desserts like apple pie egg rolls and miniature cakes are trending, don’t forget the growing demand for plant-based and gluten-free desserts. As more people avoid foods with eggs, milk, butter and wheat flour, be sure to offer alternatives like brownies with mashed black beans instead of butter or cake with applesauce in place of eggs.

Pastel Colors

Although bright red and verdant green are common colors in the foodservice industry, the soft and comforting hues of pastel colors are gaining popularity. Whether it’s baby blue cakes, lavender purple cookies or light green frosting, these desserts would be perfect on a spring menu for Easter or Mother’s Day.