The Sweetest Touch

It’s June, your daughter, Danielle is turning 10. You’re rushing into the store. You get a cart and come through the automatic doors. “Ok, it’s 1:30, they’ll be out of school by 3, off the bus at 3:15. I’ve got to be home by 2:30 to set up the tables- tablecloths, I need tablecloths- the food will be there at 3:30- napkins...and forks, do I need forks?” You get to the bakery to get the cake and peek in the box. “Happy Birthday, Daniel” Daniel?!...

If you have ever been in this situation, no one needs to tell you how important dessert is for your party. 

Over the last decade, the dessert table has become one of the most photographed—and anticipated—elements of any celebration. Scroll through Instagram after any baby shower, engagement party, or milestone birthday, and you’ll likely see a spread of cookies, cupcakes, and confections more artful than anything on the gift table. These aren’t your average bakery treats, and they have moved well beyond the ice cream cake with a name in colored gel, like when we were kids. They’re themed, hand-piped works of art! 

What changed?

Some of it is visual culture. As parties have become more image-conscious—think photo booths, personalized hashtags, and “Instagrammable” backdrops—hosts have sought ways to make their events not just fun, but shareable. Edible art fits right in.

Bakers have found that custom desserts offer something guests connect with on a personal level. As Lorissa, owner of The Cookiesmith, puts it, “You can put your heart’s content onto a cookie or cake.” She describes creating sets of cookies that feature a person’s favorite things—anything from a painted image of their dog, to an album cover, to seashells on a beach. “There’s that initial joy of seeing something you love, followed by the treat of eating a delicious cookie.”

This blend of creativity and emotional resonance is why personalized desserts are showing up far beyond weddings and baby showers. Hosts are using them for retirement parties, graduations, corporate events—even divorce celebrations. In each case, the goal is the same: to make the occasion feel unique, and the people being celebrated feel special.

Moira, owner of Cake Baby, sees it firsthand. “Nothing beats seeing a customer thrilled over a beautiful piece of art that they can enjoy with their eyes and then their tastebuds,” she says. “Especially knowing  they’re rushing off to share them with their loved ones.” These moments of joy and connection are what make custom desserts so powerful—they’re both a visual highlight and an emotional one.

And it doesn’t take a towering cake to make an impact. A single-layer cake with a buttercream swirl, a few fresh berries, or a themed set of cookies can be just as meaningful as something elaborate. “It’s a labor of love to be able to provide that experience for people,” Lorissa adds.

As party planning continues to evolve, one thing is clear: desserts aren’t just a sweet ending anymore. They’re part of the story. Hosts are drawn to treats that can be tailored to different styles, formats, and dietary needs. A well-designed dessert table can accommodate a variety of flavors and preferences while still looking cohesive and intentional.

This flexibility is part of the appeal. Cupcakes, for instance, can be designed in multiple flavors and colors to reflect a theme without sacrificing variety. That means everyone—from grandma to your gluten-free cousin—can enjoy something made just for them.

It’s 3:00, Danielle’s friends start getting out of their cars and filing through the front door past the big Montclair State University balloons. “Hey, Mrs. P! My mom wants to know if you’re coming to my graduation Party on Saturday.” All these faces you’ve seen over the years. Growing up, But as they unwrap the Montclair State Cookies and have finished taking all of their selfies, you begin to hears echoes from the past, “Is there any Milk?” “I want one of the red ones” “Mrs. P. can we have seconds”

In the end, it’s about more than cake or cookies. It’s about sharing a moment, creating a memory, and offering guests something that feels both personal and delicious. And that’s a recipe that never goes out of style.