Are you having guests over and want to impress them with beautiful desserts?
Good news! Creating stunning dishes at home doesn’t mean you have to learn complicated techniques. Transforming plain desserts is easy once you know how to use creative decor.
Today, I’ll share how to visually elevate your desserts with a few simple tricks.
5 Ways to Decorate Plain Desserts
We all eat with our eyes first.
Food presentation will have an impact on your guests’ perception and enjoyment. You may want to review some decorating basics because of this.
Below are simple ways to decorate plain desserts.
1 – Combine Textures and Shapes
A well-plated dessert has several components that make the main dish stand out. This includes crunchy components and sauces.
To decorate a plain dessert, you should balance a variety of textures and shapes to create harmony on a plate.
For instance, you may pipe icings with different tips and use varying molds. Crushed nuts, ice cream, and tuiles work well to add textures.
Artfully arrange each component while considering its height and dimensions.
2 – Create Contrast With Layers
Layering allows you to take advantage of contrasts between textures and colors.
In 2014, Christina Tosi invented the naked cake because she wanted to showcase each layer without covering it with icing. Other studies also show that layering makes desserts more appetizing!
Creating layers in food diversifies sensory experiences. It makes eating the dessert more fun as surprises unfold.
You can layer desserts at home by placing them in clear glasses and mason jars. Try combining mouses with cakes and other crunchy elements.
3 – Play With Colors
Color plays a huge role in drawing your guest’s eyes to a dessert. You should consider the best color combinations to make the plate stand out.
One way to incorporate color into the dish is through vibrant sauces and jams. You may smear them directly onto the plate, drizzle them, or place dots around the main dessert.
Moreover, you can use colorful powders to add more contrast. Matcha, freeze-dried berries, cocoa, and powdered sugar are great options.
4 – Choose the Right Vessels
Did you know choosing your plate is just as important as the dessert itself?
In decorating, the plate serves as the canvas that frames the cake. Its size, shape, and color can affect the presentation.
If you have a light-colored dessert, a dark-colored plate may be the better choice. Meanwhile, a light plate can help dark sweets stand out.
You should experiment with the plates you have available to achieve the most impact!
5 – Use Natural Garnishes
Finally, one of the easiest ways to decorate desserts is with garnishes. I love adding more contrast and pops of color to simple desserts with flowers, herbs, and fruit.
Sliced strawberries and grapes are excellent garnishes that can add freshness to dishes. Edible flowers like dandelions, nasturtium, and lavender provide scent and other health benefits.
Your guests will surely enjoy your creation if you learn to arrange natural garnishes around the dish!
Final Thoughts
Transforming plain desserts into stunning dishes is easy once you get a bit of practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with what’s available to discover the best visual combinations.
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Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.