Finger food: sweet recipes

Planning and presentation

When it comes to sweet finger food, keep your presentation in line with the event. Follow these tips to ensure your success:

• Make your food a part of your overall theme. For a high tea afternoon, serve everything on tiered trays, for a bridal shower decorate your cakes and biscuits in the same colours as the decorations and for a baby shower keep everything in pastel colours.
• As a general rule, allow 5-7 sweet items per guest for a party lasting two to three hours.

Tartlets

Either make the cases yourself, or buy ready-made. Add a flavoured custard, such as passionfruit or lime, or opt for a crème patissiere and top with fruit. Alternatively choose a chocolate ganache or rich caramel for a decadent touch.

• Coconut Tarts
• Neenish Tarts
• Portuguese Custard Tarts

Cupcakes

These are the ultimate party food, loved by young and old alike. The flavour combinations are endless, but a simple vanilla is always a good option. Add a few drops of rosewater to the frosting and top with a single sugar flower for an elegant touch.

• Vanilla Cupcakes
• Simple Chocolate Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Cupcakes

Mini meringues

Leave the cream and fruit behind and instead choose French-style meringues that are served plain but packed full of flavourful additions. These can include coffee, caramel, chocolate or ground nuts.

• Unicorn Poo Meringues
• Lemon Lava Cakes
• Meringue Rosettes with Chocolate Ganache

Slices

From jelly to Cherry Ripe, macadamia to chocolate, one thing's for sure – there's a slice out there for everyone! And it's little wonder these are one of our favourite sweet finger foods as they are easy to make, go a long way, can withstand transportation and stand up to the heat better than most.

• CWF's Jelly Slice
• Chocolate Slice
• Apricot Slice
• Cappuccino Slice

Marshmallows

If you've ever wanted to make your own marshmallows, this is a great opportunity. One thing you're sure to find is they're not nearly as difficult as you imagine. To achieve the perfect fluffy consistency, don't cut down on the time it needs to beat. Set a timer for 10 minutes and let it fluff up to its full potential.

• Melt-in-your-Mouth Marshmallows
• Marshmallow and Weet-Bix Slice

Scones

Serve your scones split in half and piled with jam and whipped cream. They make the ideal finger food, easy to grab and eat while chatting, and light enough to enjoy in addition to other sweet treats. Remember that to get that light, crumbly texture you need a very soft hand, so ensure you sift your flour to aerate it and avoid lumps in the mix.​

• Pumpkin Scones
• Lemonade Scones
• Melt-in-your-Mouth Scones

Truffles and fudge

From decadent dark chocolate truffles to pretty rolled white truffle balls, these handmade chocolate treats are always popular items. Fudge also makes a decadent treat that will be happily received. Make a few different varieties and serve them all together on the same platter for a dramatic look.

• Easy Chocolate and Condensed Milk Truffles
• Oreo Truffle Balls
• Dave's Fantastic Fudge

Fruit kebabs

Make colourful fruit kebabs that are flavourful and fun. Thread strawberries, grapes and chunks of melon onto skewers. For a fun touch, cut the melon into shapes using small biscuit cutters. Team the kebabs with a yoghurt or chocolate dipping sauce or serve them as they are.

• Strawberry Shortcake Skewers

Find more bite-sized treats in our Finger food and party recipes collection.