Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite party trick: mini assorted dessert platter bites! These little gems have saved me more times than I can count when unexpected guests show up or when I need something sweet fast. I still remember the first time I served them at my niece’s birthday party, the kids went wild for the sprinkles while the adults couldn’t stop raving about the chocolate-nut combo.
The beauty of these bite-sized treats? They come together in no time and you can customize them however you like. One batch makes enough for a crowd, and everyone gets to sample different flavors without committing to a whole slice of cake. Plus, they look so fancy arranged on a pretty platter, no one needs to know how easy they were to make!
Print
Irresistible Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful assortment of mini dessert bites perfect for any occasion. These bite-sized treats are easy to make and offer a variety of flavors to satisfy everyone.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: for the base
- 1/2 cup sugar: to sweeten
- 1/2 cup butter: softened
- 2 eggs: for binding
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: for flavor
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips: for richness
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts: for crunch
- 1/4 cup sprinkles: for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth.
- Fold in chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
- Scoop small portions onto a baking sheet and top with sprinkles.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Substitute nuts with seeds for allergies.
- Use gluten-free flour if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini bite
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Why You’ll Love These Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Honestly, what’s not to love? These little bites are:
- Quick as a wink: From mixing bowl to platter in under 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute cravings or surprise guests
- Endlessly customizable: Swap nuts for seeds, chocolate for dried fruit, or sprinkles for edible glitter
- Total crowd-pleasers: Kids adore the fun sizes while adults appreciate the sophisticated flavor combos
- No-fuss serving: No plates or forks needed, just pop one (or three) straight from the platter
- Perfect portion control: Because sometimes you just want a little taste of something sweet without overdoing it
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients for Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible little treats. The key is using quality ingredients, trust me, you can taste the difference! My grandma always said baking is about precision, so I’ve included all the little details that matter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: sifted for that perfect light texture
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: the molasses notes add such nice depth
- 1/2 cup softened butter: leave it out for 30 minutes to get the perfect consistency
- 2 large eggs: room temperature helps them incorporate better
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract: skip the imitation stuff here
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips: I prefer semi-sweet for balance
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts: pecans work great too if that’s what you have
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles: because everything’s better with sprinkles!
See how simple? Just 8 basic ingredients transform into something magical.
How to Make Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Alright, let’s get down to business! Making these adorable little bites is easier than you think, but there are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years to make them absolutely perfect every time. Just follow along with me, I’ll walk you through each step like we’re baking together in my kitchen!
Preparing the Dough
First things first: preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and toasty when we’re ready to bake. Now, grab your largest mixing bowl, trust me, you’ll need the space! Toss in the flour, brown sugar, and that softened butter we talked about. Here’s my secret: use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse sand. This creates the most wonderful crumbly texture that melts in your mouth later. Don’t rush this part, take a good 2-3 minutes to really work it in.
Adding Flavors and Textures
Now for the fun part! Crack in those eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition so everything comes together beautifully. Stir in the vanilla, oh, that heavenly smell already! Then gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts. I like to use a spatula here rather than a mixer to keep those mix-ins intact. The batter should be thick but scoopable. Last touch? Sprinkle on those colorful sprinkles! I usually press them in lightly so they stick better during baking.
Baking and Cooling
Line your baking sheet with parchment (no sticking worries!) and scoop tablespoon-sized portions about 2 inches apart. These little guys don’t spread too much, but they do puff up nicely. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are just golden, the centers might look soft, but they’ll set as they cool. Here’s where patience comes in: let them rest on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. I know it’s tempting, but don’t skip this step or they might crumble on you!
And voila! You’ve just created the most adorable, irresistible mini dessert bites. Aren’t they picture-perfect?
Tips for Perfect Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
After making these countless times (and learning from all my mistakes!), here are my can’t-live-without tips:
- Parchment is your best friend: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, no scrubbing pans!
- Use a cookie scoop: That little tool gives you perfectly uniform bites every time. No more odd-shaped desserts.
- Chill the dough if it’s sticky: Just 15 minutes in the fridge makes scooping so much easier.
- Rotate halfway through baking: For even browning, give that pan a 180° turn at the 8-minute mark.
- Store in layers with parchment: Keep them fresh by separating layers with parchment in your container.
Follow these simple tricks, and your mini bites will look and taste bakery-perfect!
Variations for Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Oh, the possibilities! One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can switch things up. Try swapping the walnuts for toasted coconut flakes, the texture is divine! Or add a teaspoon of citrus zest (orange is my fave) to brighten the flavors. If nuts are a no-go, sunflower seeds give that perfect crunch without allergens. And for a festive touch, match the sprinkles to the season, red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter. Honestly, once you get the basic recipe down, your imagination (and pantry) are the only limits!
Serving Suggestions for Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Here’s my favorite way to serve these little beauties: arrange them on a pretty tiered stand with a pot of strong coffee for morning gatherings, or pair them with dessert wine for evening soirees. They’re amazing with chai tea too, the spices play so nicely with the chocolate! For kids’ parties, I love setting up a “dip station” with melted chocolate and sprinkles for extra fun. Honestly though? They disappear fast no matter how you serve them! For more great party food ideas, check out Family Tastes.
Storing and Reheating Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Here’s my foolproof method for keeping these treats fresh: pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to revive that just-baked warmth, 10 seconds in the microwave does the trick! For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer bag, they’ll stay perfect for a month. Just thaw at room temperature when the craving hits. Easy peasy! If you are looking for other quick dessert options, check out these mini jam tartlets.
Nutritional Information for Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Just so you know, these numbers are estimates based on my standard recipe, your exact counts might vary depending on brands and tweaks. Each adorable mini bite comes in at about 80 calories, with 5g sugar and 4g fat. Not bad for such a satisfying little treat! Remember, portion size matters (though I won’t judge if you have two… or three).
FAQs About Mini Assorted Dessert Platter Bites
Q1. Can I make these mini dessert bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! These little treats actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to prep even further ahead, the dough freezes beautifully too, just scoop and freeze the unbaked portions, then bake straight from frozen (add 2-3 extra minutes).
Q2. What are good substitutions for nuts in this recipe?
If nut allergies are a concern, toasted coconut flakes give amazing texture, or you could use sunflower seeds for crunch. For a completely nut-free version, try doubling the chocolate chips or adding dried fruit like cranberries. The recipe is super flexible, I’ve even used crushed pretzels for a sweet-salty twist! For more bite-sized inspiration, take a look at our mini oat dessert bites recipe.
Q3. Can I use gluten-free flour?
You bet! I’ve successfully made these with 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blends many times. Just be sure to mix the dough until just combined, gluten-free flours can get gummy if overmixed. The texture will be slightly more delicate, but just as delicious.
Q4. Why did my mini bites turn out dry?
Oh no! This usually happens if they’re overbaked, remember, they continue cooking on the hot pan after coming out of the oven. Also, be sure to measure your flour correctly (spoon and level, don’t scoop from the bag!). And don’t skip the butter, it’s key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Q5. How do I get my sprinkles to stay colorful after baking?
The trick is quality sprinkles! Look for “nonpareils” that hold their color when baked. Or, for extra vibrancy, press a few fresh sprinkles onto each bite right after they come out of the oven, the residual heat will help them stick without fading. You might also enjoy these mini cookie dough bites.
I’d love to see your creations! Snap a photo of your mini dessert platter and share it in the comments below, let’s swap decorating ideas and flavor combos!