8 Dessert Ideas For Your Black Tie Wedding

It is no secret that black tie affairs are coveted as luxurious, posh, and immersive experiences. Black tie events highlight the more formal aspects of society, from chic, elegant attire to high quality, fresh foods and sleek, modern décor. Desserts are no exception when it comes to presenting only the classiest, most indulgent experience at any black tie event. We’ve listed our favorite black tie dessert ideas below.

French Patisserie

Patisserie is a word used to describe a French pastry shop and the goodies sold within. French pastry is an art form, coveted earnestly in the French cuisine culture. Great care is taken in the craftsmanship of French desserts, and visual representation is key. There are a large variety of French desserts that are aesthetically pleasing, elegant, and distinguished, and perfect for any black tie affair.

Petit fours are bite-sized desserts that are meticulously assembled in stages. The term petit four encompasses a large assortment of French pastries, though it is broken down into four specific kinds: petit fours salé (savory), petit fours sec (dry), petit fours frais (fresh), and petit fours glacé (glazed). This includes savory appetizers, dry goods like cookies and macarons, perishable treats like madeleines and eclairs, and glazed goods like mille feuille and cakes surrounded by perfectly executed frosting, chocolate, or fondant.

Profiterole and religieuse are both baked from choux pastry and finished with either a cream or custard filling and coated in a rich chocolate glaze.

Cannele are small crisp, brown cakes with custardy centers, baked specifically in fluted copper molds. Cannele are very old in origin, and represent a beautiful historic tradition of the French culture. They can be difficult to bake just right, however, which makes them a complicated but sophisticated choice for your dessert table.

Tarte Tatin

This is another confectionary of French origin that is unique in the way that it is baked. This tart is baked upside down, with the fruit caramelized in butter and sugar before the pastry dough is draped over top and the whole thing enters the oven crust-first. Once the tart has cooled, it is removed from its dish and flipped over so that the syrupy fruit is on top. The fruit is traditionally sliced and layered in the bottom of the pan artfully so that when the dish is flipped, it has a consistent and conscious appearance. This dish is not only delicious, but also cultivated and aesthetic. It would be a great addition to any black tie affair.

Mousse au Chocolat

Fluffy, light and bold in flavor, mousse au chocolat is a simple, few-ingredient dessert that has a clean appearance while remaining stylish and elevated for your black tie wedding. It may be topped with raspberries or mint leaves for an additional taste of freshness and a visual pop of color. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac, and symbolically representative of love, passion, and happiness. Mousse au chocolat is a luxurious way to incorporate chocolate into your black tie wedding.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dish that includes bold coffee flavor, creamy mascarpone, softened ladyfingers and rich chocolate all layered together in one perfect elegant dessert. The coffee elevates the dish and gives it a more sophisticated and mature finish, while the creamy mascarpone, fluffy cocoa and spongy ladyfingers all harmonize to create a perfectly textured and flavorful dessert.

Espresso Pots de Crème

Pots de crème is a dense, rich dish known for its depth of flavor. Pots de crème translates to “jars of cream,” and the dish is only made from a few simple ingredients to achieve the customary thick, indulgent finish. Similarly to mousse au chocolate, pots de crème is best served in individual dishes (or pots) and modestly decorated. The espresso elevates this dish to provide that mature, complex experience for your black tie guests. Espresso beans are the perfect garnish to adorn the top of this cultivated dish.

Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is known for its fancy finish and classic, satisfactory “crack.” An immersive sensory experience, crème brûlée is known for its rich tangy cream, burnt, smoky sugar flavor, and the auditory and physical “crack” sound that is heard and felt when breaking the sugar barrier to access the cream underneath. Crème brûlée is a tasteful addition to any black tie wedding dessert table.

Classic Cheesecake

Classic cheesecake is known for its velvety texture and sharp taste. It is bold enough to stand out on its own but subtle enough that it pairs well with almost any other flavor. Classic cheesecake is typically served over a crumbly, buttery crust and topped with fresh fruit or a syrupy, berry compote. It is a sumptuous dessert with clean, classic lines and crisp colors that give it a modern appearance, which blends seamlessly with any black tie wedding dessert table.

Biscotti & Coffee

If you are looking for a sophisticated dessert for your black tie wedding, biscotti paired with evening coffee, like cappuccino or espresso, is a unique and tasteful option. Biscotti are an Italian almond biscuit that are twice baked for that signature crispy crunch. They pair well dipped in coffee for a little extra flavor and to soften the biscuit before eating. Biscotti are also sometimes dipped in chocolate on one end to add interest to the bite. Using black or white chocolate can give the cookies a more classic and clean look for your black tie affair.

These eight black tie dessert ideas are all beautiful, refined options to elevate the aesthetic of your black tie wedding. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to delicious, unique and cultured desserts for a black tie event. So much thought is given to wardrobe, décor, venue and food, and dessert cannot be overlooked. When it comes to black tie events, it is all about the details! We hope these eight black tie dessert ideas will give you much needed inspiration for your own wedding!