Mini Desserts: A Tasty Trend

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Move over "Super Size" meals and desserts. People looking to shed a few pounds or maintain their weight are opting for bite-size sweets.

Chef Dominique's Catering in Sioux Falls is busy preparing for a party. Among the items on the menu are mini desserts.

"We've just noticed in the last year, year and a half that people would rather have a smaller dessert and try more than one," Chef Ranee Randall said.

Randall says they make mini desserts now for almost every cocktail party they cater. It's a tasty trend that's catching on nation-wide.

"If we can have this catch on where people are a little more aware of portion sizes and think it through a little bit more that would be a great trend to be turning towards," Avera Heart Hospital Dietician Nikki Ver Steeg said.

Ver Steeg says the trend can be helpful in cutting the amount of calories and fat you're eating.

"Portion control is pretty essential when you're looking at having dessert. We all know that we need to pay close attention to that," Ver Steeg said.

But the small desserts don't necessarily mean fewer calories. Ver Steeg says there's a wide range in the number of calories in mini desserts.

"Sometimes it can be a little deceiving when you see the smaller portion and you think it's going to be better for you. It's good to do a little research, ask a few questions, get an idea of what the calorie content is," Ver Steeg said.

Ver Steeg says one especially good mini dessert option is Dove dark chocolate.

"They're a nice, little portion size. They're pre-wrapped. Usually people don't overeat them. They feel like you're being naughty when you're not, and they're about 50 calories. That's a nice treat at the end of your meal without going overboard," Ver Steeg said.

"This is our Dove by chocolate," Randall said.

Dark chocolate is one of the ingredients Randall is incorporating because she knows a large reason for the small dessert:

"Cause people are watching more what they eat and how much they eat," Randall said.

National research show bakers are making mini desserts at a record pace. Around 228 different kinds of mini cakes and pastries have hit store shelves over the past five years.