A cupcake decorated with marzipan roses.
Individual dessert types range from desserts designed to be consumed by one person at one time, such as cupcakes or ice cream sundaes, to miniature versions of desserts intended for more than one person. Miniature tarts, tarts, and brulées are examples of individual desserts. Desserts for one person also include those spread over a single plate, such as sundaes, certain types of puddings, and parfaits.
Frozen yogurt.
Cupcakes are a popular variety of individual desserts in some areas. The small cakes come in a variety of flavors, from vanilla or chocolate to more unusual options like peanut butter or lemon. Usually each cupcake has frosting on top. Some have other decorations, like sprinkles or embellishments.
Frozen desserts can also be designed to be consumed by an individual. Ice cream is occasionally sold in small cups with a small spoon. Other individual desserts made from ice cream are ice cream sandwiches or ice cream bars. Additional frozen desserts for one include frozen yogurt cups, popsicles and frozen chocolate bars.
Miniature desserts can be a popular choice for buffet tables or even formal dinner parties. Some empanadas can be made in small 10cm dishes designed to feed one person. Examples of individual tarts include chocolate tarts and fruit tarts.
Crème brûlée is often portioned into individual moulds.
The tarts can also be made individually, using small cake plates or by shaping the tart by hand. Artisan empanadas are individual desserts that need to be held in the fingers when eaten. Artisan cakes typically feature flaky pastry folded over a fruit filling.
Creme brulee is often portioned into stoneware cake pans or flat plates. The dessert is made from cream, vanilla and egg yolk. What sets a creme brulee apart from other cream desserts is the layer of caramelized sugar on top. Serving the dish in a single-serving pan means that a person eating it gets more of the crispy coating.
Vanilla pudding is a simple but very popular individual dessert.
In some cases, individual desserts are divided into larger dessert portions. For example, puddings are usually served in cups, but are taken from a larger quantity of pudding. The pudding can be placed on the individual plate or in a larger bowl and shared later.
Parfaits and sundaes are examples of individual desserts that are assembled from larger components. One person can scoop ice cream from a larger container and customize their sundae with a selection of toppings. In the same way, a parfait is made for an individual to place ingredients such as fruit and yogurt on a plate.