what dessert goes with beef stew

9 Sweet Treats to Follow a Hearty Beef Stew

After a steamy bowl of beef stew filled with tender meat, carrots, potatoes, and savory gravy, your tastebuds are calling for something sweet. But not just any dessert will do after such a hearty, robust main course. The key is finding options that complement and accentuate the stew’s bold flavors.

Here are 9 sensational desserts that pair wonderfully with classic beef stew:

Apple Crisp

Warm apple crisp is a quintessential fall dessert that perfectly follows beef stew. The tart apples blanketed in brown sugar, oats, butter, and spices provide an ideal balance of flavors and textures. The streusel topping adds crunch against the stew’s soft veggies and meat. Serve à la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for even more contrast.

Bread Pudding

Another fantastic dessert choice is bread pudding which allows you to use the same bread that you dunked into the beef stew’s gravy. Luxurious custard soaks into pillowy bread cubes, melding into a comforting, nostalgic treat. Top with bourbon caramel sauce to complement the stew’s hearty nature.

Chilled Lemon Cremes

Light and refreshing lemon cremes make for a pleasant palate cleanser after rich, meaty beef stew. The cool, citrusy custards topped with fresh berries or a fruit coulis provide bright contrast to the stew’s deep, earthy flavors. They’re decadent yet airy.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin cheesecake makes a delightful autumnal dessert pairing. Velvety pumpkin cheesecake swirled with gingersnap crumbs enhances the stew’s warming spices while tangy cream cheese prevents heaviness. Add brandy-spiked whipped cream for boozy decadence.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Indulge in molten sticky toffee pudding drizzled with buttery salted caramel after beef stew. The ultra-moist cake’s toffee flavors align beautifully with the stew, while the caramel’s saltiness balances the richness. Top with vanilla ice cream for more wow factor.

Dark Chocolate Mousse

Nothing satisfies more than velvety chocolate mousse after a hearty beef stew dinner. The light fluffiness paired with deep, slightly bitter chocolate is heavenly contrast to the stew’s heartiness. Top with freshly whipped cream and shaved chocolate curls.

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

For a seasonal dessert, bake up an apple-cranberry crisp using peak fall produce. As the fruits bubble away under the oat topping, your kitchen fills with amazing aromas complementing the stew. Vanilla ice cream is the perfect crowning touch.

Carrot Cake

Moist carrot cake layered with sweet cream cheese frosting makes a wonderful pairing for beef stew. The carrots connect back to the stew’s veggies while the spices mirror the stew’s aromatics. Pecans add fabulous crunch to balance textures.

Cocoa Brownies

Fudgy cocoa brownies with chocolate chips provide an indulgent chocolaty finish to beef stew’s hearty profile. The rich, intense chocolate flavors align beautifully with the stew. Add a cold glass of milk to cut through the richness of both dishes.

Key Pairing Tips

Beyond choosing a complementary dessert flavor, keep these tips in mind:

• Allow time between courses so you actually have room for dessert.

• Add a contrasting texture via crunchy toppings, creamy fillings, or ice cream.

• Incorporate stew ingredients like carrots into the dessert.

• Stick to small, decadent portions since stew is so filling.

• Sip a full-bodied red wine or coffee with both dishes for continuity.

Take Your Time

Beef stew night calls for a memorable dessert, not just a store-bought cookie. With options like warm crisps, bread pudding, lemon cremes, and more, you can craft a totally indulgent pairing that enhances the hearty stew. The key is finding that perfect balance of flavors, textures, and portions to satisfy your sweet tooth. Serve your guests a thoughtfully paired dessert, and you’ll leave them smiling.