What's Hot in the Dessert World - 2013

Who doesn’t love dessert?  I think it starts when we are kids and the ice cream truck drives by playing that memorable song so you run out and order your favorite treat. Who can forget birthdays? We look forward to our birthday cake all year long and use it as a symbol of celebration.  Then of course, there are adult desserts, which we order when we are out to eat and indulge in treating ourselves.

Regardless of your associations with dessert, I think most of them are memorable and delightful in nature. They’re also a great addition for client events that include food. I am happy to say desserts have come a long way since the ice cream truck and want to share with you the most common dessert trends I have seen throughout Portland.

1. Popcorn- The movie theater favorite gets its time in the spotlight with its new variations being featured as desserts.  It’s been served in ice cream, chocolate bars and as a side at new trendy restaurants throughout the city. Flavors vary from butterscotch, mint chocolate chip, caramel and pink strawberry popcorn balls.  Popcorn has come a long way since its movie days and can be found at some of the nicest restaurants around town.  Check out Miss Hanah's for some to take home or visit Taste on 23rd and have their Truffle Popcorn for dessert.

2. Doughnuts- Who knew? Whether it is cinnamon sugar, blueberry, pumpkin spice, bacon or raspberry there are doughnuts everywhere you look. Although, doughnuts have been around they have slightly been tweaked.  Baked doughnuts are the new revolution.  Although they are still covered in frosting or filled with a delicious glaze we can feel a bit less guilty knowing they were not deep fried.  The Portland landmark Voodoo Donuts is a great choice.  I also recently stumbled upon Blue Star Donuts and can confidently recommend them!

3. Red Velvet- Who can resist a delicious, moist red velvet cake?  Well apparently nobody since it is being found everywhere! These unique spins on the classic dessert go beyond the traditional cake and cupcake you find on almost every bakery menu. Bakers are spinning red velvet into cookies, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, pancakes and even graham crackers.  Check out Bliss Bake Shop for my favorite red velvet cupcake or Dessert Labs for my favorite gluten free version. 

4. Booze Desserts- America’s cocktail obsession has influenced our sweets. It is being added to cakes, bread pudding, cupcakes, and cookies. Kahlua cupcake anyone? Yes please! You won’t have to worry about getting drunk off these since the amount of alcohol is minimal. It’s simply another fun way to spice up the dessert world and make them a bit more sexy.  Check our Delish.com for some innovative and brilliant boozy desserts.

5. Cake Pops and Push pops- The idea is simple and marvelous!  A plastic tube is filled with layers of cake or cupcakes, frosting, sprinkles, alcohol infused batter and other fun toppings.  Or the cake pop - that has revolutionized dessert on a stick.  There should really be more desserts on sticks.  You can find these innovative desserts at select bakeries and at the trendiest restaurants around town. Whether you are at a cocktail event, business meeting or client event, push pops are a great addition.  Here is a great Pinterest board with a number of different ones!

6. Finally, we can't talk about desserts at an event without including the dessert bar.  These can range from hard candies to ice cream, but they all include an overall theme....lot's of choice and the ability to customize your dessert.  Some more popular themes - candy bar with mason or apothecary jars with bags and guests can fill up their bags with choices, ice cream sundae bar, s'mores bar, or my favorite a make your own cupcake bar.

So send your guests home from your next event on a sweet note!

Cheers!

Kristen