Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes 10 Date-Night Desserts That Make the Sweetest Ending for Any Meal Whether you want mousse, pudding, pavlova, or sorbet, these small-batch treats will satisfy. By Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 9, 2024 Close Photo: Bryan Gardner Sometimes dinner needs dessert; that’s often the case for us, at least. But when you’re cooking for a pair, you don’t need a dessert that serves four or six or eight—a dessert recipe that makes enough for two (or can be stored easily) is just the ticket. Our selection of sweet endings that serve two includes several indulgent chocolate desserts because who doesn't love chocolate? There are also fruity options for when that’s what you fancy. Some are make-ahead, some are elaborate, and some are easy. A couple of the recipes might make more than two servings because we aren’t entirely sure how many chocolate-covered strawberries you can eat. Whether your dessert is for date night or you just don’t want leftovers, these recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth in delicious style. 17 Shrimp Dinner Ideas for Delicious Weeknight Meals 01 of 10 Easy Mini Pavlovas Jacob Fox Even if you’re only entertaining two people, it’s still nice to enjoy an elegant dessert after a big meal. These individual pavlovas can be stored at room temperature, so you can enjoy them a few nights in a row. Just top the meringue shells with some whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit. View Recipe 02 of 10 Chocolate Pots de Crème (Custard Cups) Rachel Marek These decadent custard cups are a chocolate lover’s dream. Each silky smooth spoonful has a pure, unfiltered cocoa flavor. Our recipe makes four cups—store the other two in the refrigerator for a few days—you will thank yourself when a chocolate craving hits. View Recipe 03 of 10 Irish Coffee Irish coffee is the perfect after-dinner drink for two, as long as you’re okay with a jolt of energy before bed. This rendition pairs hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and maple syrup with heavy cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. View Recipe 04 of 10 Three-Ingredient Mango Sorbet Nico Schinco You barely even need a recipe to make this fruity sorbet. Just blend frozen mango (or any other fruit you prefer!) with a drizzle of maple syrup and a splash of lemon juice, let it freeze, and serve yourself as many scoops as you like. It will keep in the freezer for a few months, so you can revisit it on your next date night. View Recipe No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream 05 of 10 Chocolate-Mousse Parfaits Justin Walker Take chocolate mousse to the next level with this indulgent dessert for two. Make it a day ahead, then just take it out of the refrigerator and enjoy the creamy mousse layered with spice cookie crumbs and topped with whipped cream. View Recipe 06 of 10 Coffee Crème Caramel Jenny Huang Smooth and spoonable, crème caramel is a sensuous dessert. Even more so when you share it (make it in two ramekins so you each have your own). The espresso caramel sauce takes it over the top. View Recipe 07 of 10 Black Forest Upside-Down Cakes Cherry lovers, this dessert is for you! It's not the usual Black Forest gateau; we think it's even better. Less cream, more cake, and more cherries make these mini cakes a winner. The rum-spiked whipped cream is not to be missed. View Recipe 08 of 10 Cinnamon Poached Apples With Toasted Walnuts Bryan Gardner Need a healthy dessert for two? These poached apples fit the bill deliciously. They're cooked in apple juice and flavored with cinnamon and ginger. Toasted walnuts provide contrast and crunch. Another bonus, they're quick and easy, and you can make them ahead and serve them chilled if you like or serve them warm. Either way, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche. View Recipe 09 of 10 Chocolate-Covered Strawberries This recipe makes 20 chocolate-covered strawberries. If that's more than you two can eat at one meal, halve the recipe, but these delicious treats do go down easily. View Recipe 10 of 10 Chocolate-Pistachio Tartufo Bryan Gardner Two spoons, one plate, nothing could be sweeter than sharing this chocolate-covered ice cream treat. It's our take on the Italian frozen dessert tartufo, made with chocolate and pistachio ice creams. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit