Baby showers are a sweet and sentimental way to honor moms-to-be, right? But making a pregnant friend or family member's day isn't even the best thing about throwing a baby shower, if we're honest. No, the best thing about throwing a baby shower is that it's the perfect excuse to serve (and eat) baby-sized desserts. Mini versions of everybody's favorite treats are totally adorable. And, perhaps more importantly, the fact that they're tiny makes it perfectly acceptable to go back for seconds … or fifths.
Fun and festive, bite-size pies, tarts, cakes, pops, and the like lend themselves perfectly to dessert buffet tables. They're also ideal for indecisive types. Why decide between a slice of lemon creme pie and carrot cake when there are samples available of both?
Of course, with so many ridiculously appealing options out there, it might be difficult to narrow the menu down to just two or three. In fact, the best idea of all might be to host a bite-size dessert potluck-themed baby shower. Just ask guests to bring some kind of petite pastry (preferably homemade), and promise plenty of sugar-laden love in return. The non-bakers out there are welcome to go the store-bought route, naturally. But it's doubtful anything they bring in a bakery box will live up to the promise of these recipes. Seriously, these mini desserts look that good. The guest of honor might even end up feeling upstaged (but she probably won't mind, as long as she gets a plateful).
Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Cups
These strawberry shortcake cookie cups from Creations by Kara look like the kind of quaint tea party snacks little girls dream about (and they taste like it, too.)
Oreo Cheesecake Bites
Oreos are amazing. Cheesecake is amazing. These Oreo cheesecake bites from Mel's Kitchen Cafe are double amazing.
Salted Caramel Brownie Bites
Is there nothing salted caramel can't improve? Apparently not, if these salted caramel brownie bites from Live Well Bake Often are any indication.
Mini Caramel Apples
These mini caramel apples from My Litter couldn't be more squee-inducing. (Spoiler alert: They're not itsy bitsy apples; they're regular apples that have been scooped with a melon baller.)
Mini Lemon Cream Pies
Tangy and teensy, these mini lemon cream pies from Recipe Runner are sunshine on a plate.
Red Velvet Cake Minis
Anybody who thinks the red velvet trend is bound to go away someday will change their minds after trying these red velvet cake minis from Sprinkle Bakes.
Chocolate Caramel Marshmallows
Combining three great things that go great together, these chocolate caramel marshmallows from Domestically Blissful look ultra fancy.
Puff Pastry Apple Rosettes
Yes, these puff pastry apple rosettes from The Awesome Daily appear tricky to make, but the prep is surprisingly doable (and just look at those results!).
Mini French Silk Pies
It just doesn't get more addictive than these mini french silk pies from House of Yumm. Drooling!
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Bars
The presentation of these salted caramel peanut butter bars from Nerds with Knives is impressively professional (and did we mention the salted caramel?).
Lemon Blossoms
If spring could be a cookie, it would be one of these lemon blossoms from Lil' Luna. So light!
Coconut Cream Pie Cookie Cups
These coconut cream pie cookie cups from Mom on Time Out are guaranteed to be a hit with fans of the tropically inspired traditional dish.
Mini Banana Cream Cookie Pies
Like a little taste of the best diner pie ever, these mini banana cream cookie pies from Girl Versus Dough will disappear in a flash.
Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Particularly brunch-friendly, these mini cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting from Life Made Simple would honestly be popular any time of day.
Angel Food Cake Churro Bites
The heavenly scent (and taste) of these angel food cake churro bites from Lil' Luna will be the talk of the party for sure.
Texas Sheet Cake Bites
Even guests who have never been to the Lone Star State will devour these Texas sheet cake bites from Life in the Lofthouse.
Mini Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Whoopee! These mini chocolate whoopie pies from Martha Stewart will make everybody stand up and cheer.
Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake Bites
Elegant and irresistible, these chocolate-covered cheesecake bites from Chef Savvy are easier to make than they look.
Bite-Size Carrot Cakes
There are real live veggies in these bite-size carrot cakes from Six Sisters' Stuff, so as many as possible should be consumed.
Mini S'mores Tarts
No campfire required for these mini s'mores tarts from Your Homebased Mom, just a mouth (that will soon be very happy).
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Chocolate and peanut butter are total soul mates, so these peanut butter cup brownies from Baked Perfection are, well, perfection.
Mini Lemon Flower Tarts
Unbelievably charming, these mini lemon flower tarts from Kid + Kin don't take expert level skills to make (even though they look like it).
Pumpkin Pie Bites
Not just for Thanksgiving, these pumpkin pie bites from Tastes Better From Scratch are delectable all year round.
Apple Pie Bites
Way easier to serve than slices of a full-size pie, these apple pie bites from The Blond Cook are another great brunch possibility.
Mini Blueberry Tarts
Speaking of fruit tarts, these mini blueberry tarts from Spoon Fork Bacon are straight-up gorgeous.
S'mores Pops
More s'mores? Oh yes, because these s'mores pops from Tip Junkie are too easy too pass up (the middle is marshmallow fluff).
Cherry Pie Cookie Cups
These cherry pie cookie cups from Lemon Tree Dwelling are a fabulous mix of retro and modern.
Chocolate Cake Bites with Peanut Butter Frosting
More chocolate/peanut butter love in all its glory, these chocolate cake bites with peanut butter frosting from Two Sisters are a dream come true.
Mini Strawberry Pies
Like a little bite of summertime, these mini strawberry pies from Carlsbad Cravings couldn't be more tempting.
No-Bake White Chocolate Fairy Cakes
No doubt about it, these no-bake white chocolate fairy cakes from Real Advice Gals are just plain magical.
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Pops
The cake pop fad is showing no signs of slowing down, and that's a good thing — because no-bake strawberry cheesecake pops from The Cozy Cook are like happiness on a stick.
Tagalong Pound Cake Bites
Girl Scout cookie fans (in other words, everybody) will adore these Tagalong pound cake bites from Mom Loves Baking.
Strawberry Lemonade Cake Bites
Pink and blue desserts are always in high demand at baby showers, and these strawberry lemonade cake bites from Six Sisters' Stuff have the added benefit of tasting like strawberries and lemonade.
No-Bake Maple Chocolate Chip Toffee Bites
Paleo-friendly and gluten free, these no-bake maple chocolate chip toffee bites from Cotter Crunch will satisfy even the most health-conscious partygoers.
Lemon Raspberry Mini Cheesecake Bites
We've been giving peanut butter and chocolate a lot of credit for their chemistry as a pair, but lemon and raspberry make a great couple too — as these lemon raspberry mini cheesecake bites from Your Homebased Mom prove.
Nutella Cookie Cups
These Nutella cookie cups from Share Sunday have the word "Nutella" in the title. Need we say more?
Bite-Sized Pavlovas
True, these bite-sized pavlovas from Sunday Supper Movement take a little bit of effort to get right. But when the results are as gorgeous as these, the work is worth it!
Chocolate Puff Bites
There are cream puffs, and then there are these chocolate puff bites from The 36th Avenue. Both are lovely, but one has chocolate (so it's obviously the superior choice).
White Chocolate Blueberry Truffles
Pastel and previous, these white chocolate blueberry truffles from OMG Chocolate Desserts will instantly become a favorite.
Snickers Brownie Bites
Brownie bites are essentially flawless to begin with, but these Snickers brownie bites have Snickers in them. Get the recipe from House of Yumm!
