Simple Dessert Bar

This past weekend I had the opportunity to help my daughter, Elizabeth, host a bridal shower in our home for her best friend, Brittany. It was an intimate party with a simple but elegant theme. We decided to make use of the space we had and created a dessert bar right on the window sill in our dining room. The result was a pretty display that was easy to put together, out of the way and fun for the guests. We made it completely self-serve and included a selection of miniature desserts so that we could offer a nice variety without going overboard since this was a small party.

The decorations were simple as well. Elizabeth made three large flowers out of white tissue paper and we placed them on top of apothecary jars that had the lids removed. Very inexpensive! The desserts were placed on two of the dessert stands that we made ourselves and a glass cake plate. Napkins, plates and a serving spatula were placed around the stands. The guests loved the display and were able to mingle with their dessert and coffee in a relaxed atmosphere. I love how something so simple can feel so elegant.

These Apple Pie Bites were adapted from a recipe that Elizabeth found on Pinterest. Not only were they adorable, they were delicious! Perfect for a dessert bar!

Brownie Pops. Probably the easiest dessert you could ever make! Elizabeth and Brittany share a love for Ghirardelli brownies so it was only fitting that they were part of this display. We stepped them up a notch by cutting them into petite squares and adding a stick! 

These Cheesecake Pops were a hit and quite literally addictive! Made with a frozen cheesecake from Costco and dipped into melted chocolate, they couldn't have been easier to put together. 

Celebrating should be fun, not complicated! Here are the recipes we chose for our Simple Dessert Bar.

Enjoy!

Leslie xo

Apple Pie Bites

Recipe Type: dessert
Author: Leslie Reese
Ingredients
  • Apple Pies
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 package refrigerated pie crust
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
  • 2 medium tart apples cut into wedges
  • Glaze
  • 1- 1 lb box of Confectioner's sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter softened
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Apple Bites
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside 1 tablespoon.
  3. Unroll pie crust onto floured surface and brush with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
  4. Cut pie crust into 1 inch strips. Wrap one strip around one apple slice with the sugared side in. Continue with remaining dough and apples.
  5. Brush dough with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  6. Place apples on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.
  7. Serve warm topped with glaze.
Glaze
  1. Combine butter, milk and vanilla in a bowl. Slowly add Confectioner's sugar until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  2. Place glaze in a pastry bag fitted with a round decorating tip and pipe onto baked apples. You can also put your glaze in a plastic bag and cut the corner to pipe your icing.
Brownie Bites

Recipe Type: dessert
Author: Leslie Reese
Ingredients
  • 1 box Ghirardelli Brownie mix
  • Ingredients listed on box
  • White lollipop or cake pop sticks
Instructions
  1. Bake brownies according to package directions using a square 8x8 or 9x9 pan.
  2. Set aside to cool.
  3. Once brownies are cool, cut into small 1 1/2 " squares.
  4. Place a stick into each brownie, pressing sides in slightly to hold if necessary.
Notes

What's nice about this recipe is that you can make as many cheesecake pops as you need. Servings will vary depending on the size of the cheesecake you start with and what size you make your pops.

Cheesecake Pops

Recipe Type: dessert
Author: Leslie Reese
Ingredients
  • 1 frozen cheesecake
  • 2-3 containers of Baker's Dipping Chocolate (milk chocolate, heat & dip)
  • White lollipop or cake pop sticks
Instructions
  1. Remove cheesecake from freezer and let it sit for a few minutes until it is soft enough to work with but not completely thawed.
  2. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop cheesecake and roll into balls. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
  3. Insert a stick into each cheesecake ball. Place tray in freezer for at least an hour or until firm.
  4. When you are ready to dip the cheesecake, melt chocolate according to package directions.
  5. One at a time, dip balls into chocolate, tapping gently to remove excess and place back on cookie sheet.
  6. Place pops in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Photos by Leslie Reese