By a Pro: Martini Glass Desserts | Dessert Table Presentation

the idea

Elevate simple desserts, add height to your display, and allow guests to graze and mingle by serving martini glass desserts, such as the Baileys Whipped Chocolate Parfaits above, in elegant disposables.

individual fruit salad martini glass desserts on a tiered stand on party dessert table

cheesecake dessert served in champagne saucers — *No Bake Cheesecake Cups*

the how

Fill with mousse, pudding, cheesecake, Jello-O, parfait, panna cotta, Tiramisu, fruit, yogurt and granola, or create your own layered desserts
Garnish with fruit, berries, cream, candy, sprinkles, mint sprigs, chocolate shavings, cocoa, powdered sugar, or cookie crumbs
Prepare in advance and keep chilled until ready to serve
Also works with wine goblets, champagne saucers, and wide champagne flutes

rhubarb and custard martini glass desserts served in champagne saucers — *Rhubarb & Custard*

Mint chocolate pudding parfait martini glass desserts served in wine glasses — *Mint Chocolate Pudding Parfait*

the why

This Idea

Maximize budget; makes homemade desserts look more stylish
Embellish; makes simple, basic, or store-bought desserts feel more special
Portion Size; controls portion size to help you budget, estimate quantities, reduce over-consumption and avoid running out
Uniformity; ensures any homemade treats made by friends and family still fit with your event concept, theme, or color scheme
Time saving; allows you to prepare big-batch desserts and plate in advance ready to serve
Mobility; allows guests to hold treats in individual containers and eat more easily while standing, chatting, or mingling
Congestion; allows guests to ‘grab and go’ to reduce lines and congestion around the dessert table
Visual wow-factor; lends a stylish, modern, and professionally-catered look
Layout; helps achieve the three simple rules for layout; groups, rows, and levels (see my dessert table layout page)
Adds Height; varying degrees of height are essential to a well-designed dessert table (see my dessert table layout page)
Creative; adds a creative twist to familiar or everyday treats, such as pudding or Jell-O
Inexpensive; a cost-effective party idea that won’t blow your budget
Value; low cost idea that creates a big impression
Reusable; can sometimes be washed and re-used for future events
Unusual; a less common way to present party food to impress guests

dessert served in champagne flutes — *Vanilla Panna cotta with Blackberry Coulis*

dessert served in martini glasses — *Tiramisini*

the why

dessert table styling & presentation

Spectacle; turns a food table into a display and creates a visual spectacle that contributes to the overall room decor
Aesthetically appealing; entices by creating a feast for the eyes
Special occasions should feel special; presentation makes party food look and feel less everyday
Elegant; lends your event an elegant and sophisticated touch
Professional; gives your dessert table a professionally-styled look
Memorable; guests remember creative, unusual, or unexpected styling and decoration
Photo-worthy; a great photo-op for guests share and tag on social media
Clear Up; high quality disposables can be thrown in the trash (or recycling) when finished to reduce post-event clearing and cleaning

individual fruit salad desserts served in martini glasses on a on party dessert table — *Great example from Inside Weddings*

banana pudding dessert served in martini glasses and champagne flutes — *Banana Caramel Kunafa Sundae*

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

“Serving desserts in disposable martini glasses, wine goblets, or champagne saucers is such a great way to make simple, homemade, or even store-bought desserts look far more fancy than they are.

Check out my Pinterest board ‘Party Desserts: Served in Glasses’ for recipes and ideas.

These look best when presented in groups of the same dessert, arranged in rows, and displayed on square or rectangular serving plates (see below for premium disposable plates).

Alternatively, you can also present them on cake stands and risers, which is a great way to add additional height to your dessert table display.

For more about the three simple rules for layout; groups, rows, and levels, see my dessert table layout page.

To reduce lines at the dessert table, make these ‘grab & go’ by serving with a disposable wood or plastic spoon / fork sticking out of the dessert.

Although these are intended to be disposable, some people have said they pop them in the dishwasher so they can be used again for future events”.

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