These Easiest Petit Fours are charming bite-sized cakes that bring elegance and sweetness to any table. Made with just three simple ingredients—pound cake, frosting, and white chocolate—these dainty treats are perfect for tea parties, bridal showers, baby showers, or any occasion where presentation and convenience are key. No baking required, and yet the final result looks as if you spent hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These petit fours are a beautiful solution for last-minute entertaining or when you’re craving something sweet and elegant without the fuss. Here’s why they’ll quickly become a go-to:
- Made with only three accessible ingredients
- No baking required—great for beginner bakers
- Customizable with sprinkles, food coloring, or edible flowers
- Perfect for parties, gifting, or afternoon tea
- Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound cake (store-bought or homemade), sliced
- 1 jar vanilla frosting
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark
Directions
- Slice the pound cake into small 1-inch squares, trimming edges if necessary for uniformity.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the vanilla frosting for 15–20 seconds until it becomes pourable.
- In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark in short intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each cake square into the melted chocolate or spoon it over the top, allowing excess to drip off.
- Place the coated petit fours on parchment paper and let them set until firm.
- Optionally, decorate with colored icing, sprinkles, or other edible decorations.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 20 petit fours
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 0 minutes
- Chilling/Setting Time: ~15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 185 kcal per piece
Variations
- Chocolate Version: Use chocolate pound cake and coat with milk or dark chocolate instead.
- Fruit-Filled: Add a thin layer of jam or fruit preserves between two pound cake slices before coating.
- Holiday-Themed: Add colored icing or sprinkles to match the theme of a holiday or celebration.
- Nutty Finish: Sprinkle crushed nuts or coconut flakes on top before the coating sets.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free pound cake for a celiac-friendly version.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store petit fours in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Reheating: Not applicable—these are best served at room temperature or chilled.
FAQs
What are petit fours?
Petit fours are small, decorative confections traditionally served at formal gatherings, often made with sponge cake and icing or glaze.
Do I need to make the pound cake from scratch?
No, store-bought pound cake works perfectly and saves time, making this recipe incredibly simple.
Can I color the icing?
Yes, add a few drops of food coloring to the frosting or white chocolate to match your event’s theme.
Can I make these in advance?
Yes, you can prepare them a day or two ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
How do I keep the coating smooth?
Use a fork to dip the cake pieces and tap gently to remove excess. Pouring icing from a spoon also helps ensure even coverage.
Can I use ganache instead of white chocolate?
Yes, ganache can be used for a richer taste and smoother finish, though it may require refrigeration to set properly.
Are these petit fours suitable for children’s parties?
Absolutely—they’re easy to handle, not overly messy, and can be decorated with fun colors and toppings.
What size should the cake squares be?
Aim for 1-inch squares for a true petit four presentation, but you can adjust based on preference.
Can I layer the cake squares?
Yes, create layered petit fours by sandwiching two squares with jam or frosting before coating.
How long does the icing take to set?
Typically, the coating sets within 15–20 minutes at room temperature. For quicker results, refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Conclusion
The Easiest Petit Fours are proof that beautiful desserts don’t have to be complicated. With just three ingredients and minimal effort, you can create an elegant tray of bite-sized delights perfect for any celebration. Whether you’re hosting a tea party, preparing for a shower, or simply want a sweet treat to impress your guests, these charming confections are sure to please both the eye and the palate.
PrintEasiest Petit Fours
Adorably tiny bite-sized cakes covered in smooth icing and perfect for parties or afternoon tea. These easy petit fours are made with just three ingredients but deliver delightful elegance with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 petit fours 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound cake (store-bought or homemade), sliced
- 1 jar vanilla frosting
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark
Instructions
- Slice pound cake into small 1-inch squares.
- Heat vanilla frosting in a microwave-safe bowl for 15–20 seconds until pourable.
- In another bowl, melt white chocolate chips or almond bark until smooth.
- Dip each cake square into the melted chocolate or pour warmed frosting over each piece.
- Place coated cakes on parchment paper and allow them to set.
- Optionally decorate with colored icing, sprinkles, or edible decorations once set.
Notes
- Use a fork or dipping tool to handle the cake pieces while coating.
- Chill briefly in the fridge to speed up setting.
- Decorate to match themed events like baby showers, holidays, or tea parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 petit four
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg