Yet another way to elevate your weekend gatherings is to serve a delicious dessert after a satisfying brunch meal. You’ve likely hosted friends over on weekends, treating them to quality time and good food, but what about the sweet treat that follows?
A savory brunch meal is often incomplete without something sweet to round it off, which is why we’ve compiled this article featuring 30 tasty dessert ideas (and recipes) you can make for your brunch guests this weekend!
Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies
Wrapped in simplicity, these cookies are incredibly easy to prepare using ingredients commonly found in most kitchens. A doughy mixture of oats, flour, cinnamon, sugar, and butter is combined with chocolate chips, before being formed into small balls that are then frozen and baked. The outcome is a soft and chewy cookie perfect for accompanying a cup of coffee after a delightful brunch.
White Chocolate And Pistachio Cookies
Lighting up the taste buds of your guests is a priority for many hosts when it comes to baking desserts, and adding an exclusive ingredient like pistachios certainly takes the effort to a whole new level. The combination of cake and bread flour with other essential ingredients gives these cookies a special texture that complements the unique flavor of pistachios perfectly.
To make these treats even more appealing, chopped dried apricots and white chocolate chips are added, resulting in an explosion of flavors that will leave everyone wanting more.
Matcha Cookies
Unbeknownst to those who are not avid fans of matcha tea, these brown butter matcha cookies with white chocolate chips can be a game-changer. Whether your guests have a penchant for coffee or tea, these treats offer the perfect pairing opportunity. You might even consider another serving of matcha tea alongside them – it could be just what you and your guests need to appreciate the unique flavor profile.
Coconut Oil Cookies
Richly flavored soft cookies are often preferred by many for their distinct taste. This coconut oil cookie recipe has been specifically designed to yield the softest cookies you’ve ever had, with a texture comparable to that of a shortbread cookie. Every bite of these coconut-rich cookies will bring an exotic freshness to your mouth after your savory brunch.
Gingerbread Cookies
Undoubtedly, gingerbread men are not just a Christmas treat. While it’s true that they’re often associated with the holiday season, there’s no rule that says you can’t make them at any other time of year. However, to ensure your cookies turn out right, you’ll still need to follow this recipe carefully and chill the dough for several hours overnight before baking.
Fudge Cookies
Creating a sweet contrast to our previous coconut oil cookie recipe, this new batch of fudge cookies is all about indulgence. With their rich, fudgy texture and delicious flavor, these bite-sized treats are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling guilty about it, especially after a big brunch. Dip them in your coffee or enjoy on their own – either way, you won’t be able to resist going back for another bite! Go To Recipe
Chinese Almond Cookies
Zero in on a new twist in traditional cookie-making by substituting almond flour for the classic vanilla cookie recipe, resulting in a distinctly Chinese-American treat. Add an extra touch of elegance to these cookies with the addition of thinly sliced almonds, not only for visual appeal but also to enhance their nutty flavor and aroma.
Chocolate Banana Bread
When it comes to satisfying the sweet tooth of your guests, chocolate banana bread is an excellent choice. The timeless combination of rich chocolate and ripe bananas is always a winner, as it’s a flavor duo that never fails to impress, particularly after a savory meal like brunch.
Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake
Lighting up your morning with a delicious homemade brunch can be effortlessly accomplished. Leaving room for preparation time allows you to focus on other dishes while waiting for the cake to bake. Approximately 25 minutes are required to prepare this cake, and an additional hour is needed to bake it, giving you ample opportunity to multitask and create a well-rounded meal. Made with low-fat buttermilk, this lemon buttermilk pound cake offers a lighter alternative without compromising on flavor.
As the saying goes, ‘when life gives you lemons,’ you can make a delicious lemon buttermilk pound cake that is sure to impress your guests.
Apple Bundt Cake
Taking the sweetness of caramel to new heights, this apple Bundt cake boasts a rich glaze crafted from butter, heavy cream, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla extract. This delightful combination creates a truly decadent treat perfect for elevating any brunch dessert.
French Almond Cake
Keeping with the high standards of French patisserie, this delectable dessert has gained worldwide recognition for its exceptional taste and texture. With only an hour needed to prepare, this easy-to-follow recipe allows you to create a scrumptious spongy almond cake that is sure to impress family and friends alike.
Cherry Frangipane Tart
Brunch gatherings often benefit from traditional dessert options, and tarts are no exception. The cherry frangipane tart stands out as a particularly suitable choice for late spring brunches, mainly due to the peak seasonality of fresh cherries during this time. This allows you to select the ripest, most flavorful cherries to fill your tart with.
Rhubarb Tart
Delightful childhood memories are often associated with a classic short-crust pastry, which is why incorporating one into a rhubarb tart recipe will undoubtedly bring joy to your guests. For the filling, you’ll only need a few simple ingredients: fresh rhubarb, sugar, and cornstarch, making it effortless to prepare alongside your homemade pastry crust.
Strawberry Tart
Unleashing the flavors of spring, cherry tarts are a classic combination that’s hard to resist. Similarly, strawberry tarts bring a sweet and refreshing touch to any gathering or celebration! This delightful dessert is crafted with love and care, featuring fresh small hulled strawberries, large sliced strawberries, and a hint of sweetness added by a layer of strawberry jam in between the layers for an extra burst of flavor.
Lemon Meringue Tarts
Offering a twist on traditional lemon tarts, why not prepare mini lemon meringue tarts for your friends instead? Made with the same ingredients as their larger counterparts but baked in individual portions, these bite-sized treats are perfect for special gatherings. Baked in small, fluted tart pans, they pack just as much flavor as their bigger cousins.
Chocolate Pudding
Decadent chocolate puddings presented in dainty single-serving ramekins may appear understated at first glance, but their appeal is undeniable after a hearty brunch. What sets them apart is that you can prepare them ahead of schedule and refrigerate them until dessert time, making them an effortless addition to your meal plan.
Brownies
Delighting in a group setting with fellow chocoholics, there’s no better way to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth than by making these incredibly rich and decadent brownies. Whether it’s a brunch gathering or just a casual get-together, serving individual pieces of brownie with a generous drizzle of melted chocolate on top is sure to impress your friends and leave them craving for more.
Tiramisu
Looking closely at the ingredients and assembly of a classic tiramisu, it’s clear why some people might feel intimidated by its preparation. However, with only 6 essential components readily available on your countertop, you can easily bring this Italian dessert to life without much fuss. Simply assemble the ingredients as instructed, place the tiramisu in the refrigerator until serving time, and enjoy the fruits of your labor when it’s time to indulge.
Panna Cotta
Gather around, dessert lovers, because today we’re going to talk about panna cotta, one of the simplest yet most divine desserts out there. With just 6 ingredients and a mere 20 minutes of preparation time, this Italian delight is the perfect treat for any occasion. And despite being made with rich heavy cream and sugar, its light and airy texture is nothing short of magic – it’s as if you’re tasting a fluffy cloud!
Flan
Beneath the rich culinary heritage of Spain lies a classic dessert that has been a staple in many households – the humble flan. This creamy, caramel-topped delight is often referred to as ‘Crème caramel’ by some, but regardless of what you call it, this easy-to-make flan is the perfect treat to follow up on your eggs benedict. Whether served in small ramekins or as a show-stopping centerpiece, this Spanish classic is sure to satisfy even the sweetest of tooths.
Profiterole
Elevate your dessert game with this effortless profiterole recipe, perfect for satisfying those midnight sweet tooth cravings. This recipe yields an abundance of small choux bites filled with the rich and creamy crème Chantilly, and topped with a decadent classic profiterole chocolate sauce. Make more than you need, as it’s always exciting to share these treats with friends who can appreciate them.
Greek Yogurt With Honey
Delighting in simplicity is often the best way to create a delicious dessert. Rather than opting for rich, chocolatey treats or elaborate baked goods, a light and refreshing option can be just what’s needed. In this case, Greek yogurt paired with honey and walnuts makes for a sweet and satisfying treat that’s perfect for a sunny summer brunch. This easy-to-prepare combination provides a boost of protein and healthy fats, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a guilt-free indulgence.
Cinnamon And Raisin Swirl
Delightful pastries have become an integral part of many people’s daily lives, often being their go-to choice for breakfast, snacks, or as a sweet treat after meals. If you’re part of a group with an insatiable craving for these baked goods, consider whipping up a batch of cinnamon and raisin swirls sprinkled with extra sugar on top to indulge your sweet tooth and satisfy everyone’s cravings at the same time.
Scones With Jam And Butter
Many people enjoy traditional British desserts regardless of their geographical location. A classic scone, typically served with butter and an assortment of jams, is one such treat that transcends borders. The simplicity and versatility of this dessert make it appealing to many, allowing individuals to experiment with different flavors by pairing them with various sweet spreads, including jars of jam and even a drizzle of honey.
Chocolate Chip Scones
Alternately, serving your scones with butter and a drizzle of chocolate spread can be a bit bland and unexciting. If you’re looking for a more flavorful combination, try incorporating chocolate directly into the scone dough. In this case, our chocolate chip scones recipe is an excellent choice.
Lemon Cupcakes
Zestfully incorporating sweet treats into a meal that’s often savored at lunchtime isn’t uncommon, but what about brunch? Specifically, when it comes to desserts, one classic choice stands out: the humble cupcake. While flavors and frostings can be as varied as you like, there’s something particularly appealing about lemon cupcakes paired with vanilla frosting after a richly flavored meal.
This is largely due to their light, airy texture, which won’t weigh heavily on your stomach, and the fact that they don’t overpower the palate with intense flavors or bold taste combinations.
Cinnamon Rolls
Eagerly anticipated by many, cinnamon rolls are a treat that never fails to impress. Whether you’re hosting a brunch gathering or just want to indulge in something sweet, these baked goods are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. With a relatively simple ingredient list and a bit of effort required for the dough-rolling process, the end result is well worth the work – the delight on your guests’ faces when they take their first bite will be truly rewarding.
Butter Croissants
Gathering ingredients is the first step to baking tender butter croissants that melt in your mouth. These flaky pastries are a dream come true for every pastry enthusiast, and making them from scratch means you’re one step closer to achieving your culinary aspirations. This recipe allows you to create authentic croissants with ease, perfect for serving plain or topped with butter, jams, clotted cream, or chocolate spread.
Chocolate Crepes
Making delicious crepes can be a wonderful way to show your friends you care. By filling them with rich, dark chocolate, you’ll likely win their hearts, but if you take it up a notch by adding a creamy milky vanilla filling, you might just earn yourself a permanent place in their affections. These classic crepes are made with the traditional ingredients, including some essential cocoa powder that gives them an unmistakable chocolatey flavor and appearance.
Laura Hauser is a food writer and editor passionate about authentic, approachable home cooking.
