The thought of a fancy steak dinner on a romantic holiday, an anniversary, a birthday, or even just the end of another work week seems like the height of luxury. No matter what kind of steak you choose or whether you like it rare or medium-well, steak is a flexible dinner option that lets you make your meal exactly how you want it. Cooking a perfect steak is a triumph in itself that should be thoroughly enjoyed.
Once the dinner plates have been cleared away, though, you might be craving something sweet. You might want to put the cherry on top of your meal by having the best dessert at the end of the night. Fortunately, there are many options for different palates when it comes to choosing your final course. There are a few desserts, from fruity to chocolatey to creamy, to help you finish off your great steak on a sweet note.
A classic flourless chocolate torte might be the richest choice you make to follow your meal. Nothing feels more decadent than a slice of dark chocolate that follows a red meat dinner. Aside from making the dessert taste nutty, the almond flour in this torte also keeps the whole thing gluten-free, which is great if you’re trying to limit your gluten intake.
This dessert is also surprisingly easy to make; it only needs a few basic ingredients. This means you don’t have to be a GBBO star to serve a classic, impressive dessert with your steak dinner. You can add different toppings to chocolate tortes. For a simple look, just dust it with powdered sugar. For a full chocolate experience, cover it in warm, melty chocolate ganache.
You can also top the torte with fresh sliced strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream. Like your steak, this dessert choice can be interpreted in a lot of different ways while still maintaining a high-end, luxurious feel.
Can you think of a more elegant way to end a dinner party than giving each guest a champagne or wine glass full of light chocolate mousse? Mousse isn’t as heavy as a torte, but it still has the rich chocolate flavor that goes well with steak dinners. You can also make it earlier in the evening. Just put the mousse in the glasses and put them in the fridge until it’s time to serve dessert. Easy and elegant!.
Mousse is another one of those fancy desserts that has shockingly few ingredients. Melted chocolate and eggs are really all you need, but you shouldnt feel limited by their simplicity. Adding a splash of espresso will make the chocolate taste stronger, a thimble of Baileys will make it a little cheeky for the adults, or a nip of mint extract will give it that classic refreshing feel. Some fresh berries or whipped cream can be put on top, along with some chocolate curls, to really make this simple dessert stand out.
12 Sweet Treats to Pair With Beef Wellington
Beef wellington makes for an impressive entrée, with tender beef wrapped in mushroom duxelles and baked in flaky puff pastry. But the richness of this dish calls for an equally decadent dessert to follow. The key is finding options that complement beef wellington’s robust flavors without overwhelming the palate
Here are 12 fantastic desserts to serve after beef wellington:
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Chocolate Lava Cake
Molten chocolate lava cake provides an indulgent finish to your beef wellington dinner. The oozy, fudgy cake interior contrasts deliciously with the crispy exterior. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance its decadence. -
Crème Brûlée
Elegant crème brûlée offers a delicately sweet ending to a beef wellington meal. The crisp burnt sugar topping reveals smooth, creamy vanilla custard underneath. It’s rich yet refreshing. Fresh berries make a lovely garnish. -
Strawberry Shortcake
Sweet strawberry shortcake makes a fine springtime dessert pairing. Fluffy biscuits layered with macerated strawberries and whipped cream provide fruity tang to contrast the entrée. The light texture prevents heaviness. -
Bread Pudding
Bread pudding utilizes the same bread served alongside the wellington, creating continuity. Brioche or challah cubes soaked in a vanilla-spice custard result in a comforting dessert that’s perfectly sweet after dinner’s savory flavors. -
Apple Cranberry Crisp
For an autumnal dessert, bake up an apple cranberry crisp bursting with fall fruit. As it bubbles away under the oat topping, your kitchen will fill with enticing aromas that extend dinner’s coziness. Vanilla ice cream is the ideal finishing touch. -
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin cheesecake makes for a seasonal, sophisticated choice. Smooth pumpkin cheesecake swirled with gingersnaps enhances the beef wellington’s spices while tangy cream cheese balances the richness. -
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Indulgent sticky toffee pudding is a marvelous capper to your elegant meal. The ultra-moist sponge cake drizzled in buttery salted caramel mirrors the wellington’s luxurious flavors. Best served warm with ice cream. -
Profiteroles
Cream-filled profiteroles drizzled in silky chocolate provide a decadent contrast to beef wellington’s refined flavors. The light choux pastry and vanilla ice cream prevent it from feeling too heavy. -
Tiramisu
Tiramisu’s blend of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, cocoa, and brandy makes a sumptuous follow-up to beef wellington. Its slight bitterness helps cut through the entrée’s richness. -
Crêpes Suzette
For an elegant finale, flambé crêpes suzette tableside. The thin pancakes bathed in an orange Grand Marnier sauce provides a refreshing citrus note after rich dinner flavors. A showstopping dessert presentation. -
Trifle
English trifle makes a fitting finale with its spongecake, jam, custard, whipped cream, and berries. The fruits’ tartness balances the wellington’s unctuousness. Best made ahead for easy serving. -
Mini Cupcakes
Offer an array of frosted mini cupcakes in flavors like chocolate, red velvet, and lemon. The variety and petite portions give guests options without overindulging after an extravagant meal.
Pairing Tips:
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Allow palate cleansing time between courses to reawaken tastebuds.
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Incorporate dinner flavors into desserts via mushrooms, herbs, or red wine.
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Prioritize lighter textures like mousses, sorbets, or fluffy cakes.
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Contrast temperatures by serving warm desserts after hot entrees.
A memorable beef wellington dinner deserves an equally stunning dessert. Options like lava cakes, trifles, and crisps will leave dinner guests delighted, satisfied, and eager to return. With the right sweet ending, your elegant meal will leave a lasting impression.
Chocolate covered strawberries
If you had a steak dinner with your partner, you might want to end the meal with some chocolate-covered strawberries. Theres something inherently sexy about chocolate-dipped strawberries. The silky chocolate is such a treat, brightened by the juicy berry.
Putting the fresh fruit in the chocolate and letting it set in the fridge lets you make them ahead of time. You could also serve them fondue-style by putting a pot of melting chocolate in the middle of the table and letting your guests dip the fruit as much as they want.
You dont have to limit yourself to just plain chocolate to coat your berries. You can create a white chocolate drizzle for a contrasting look. The chocolate and fruit will taste even better if you roll the dipped berries in chopped nuts or sprinkle them with coarse sea salt. Theyre also imminently portable, so you dont have to keep the dessert at the table.
Death by chocolate cake
After a steak dinner, why not try a death by chocolate cake? With a name like “death by chocolate,” you know what you’re getting into. “.
There are usually moist layers of chocolate cake in this dessert, along with lots of chocolate buttercream and maybe even a drizzle of ganache to finish it off. A lot of fancy steakhouses have this dessert on their menus, but you can make it yourself at home to impress your guests.
Going for death by chocolate cake is the way to go if you want to go all out with your meal. You can make this cake really stand out by decorating it with shaved chocolate, fresh raspberries, or even edible gold flakes. As you cut this chocolate centerpiece into pieces to serve, people may ask you to plan meals for other special events!
Moving away from the world of chocolate, fruit desserts are also fantastic pairings to a steak dinner. Fruits are sweet, but they also often have a sour taste that makes them fun to eat after a hearty meal like steak.
Classic apple pie is a warm and cozy dessert that can be a nice, easy way to end a hearty steak meal. Vanilla ice cream is the traditional dessert to go with apple pie, but if you really want to make your dinner look like Ron Swanson, make a bourbon caramel sauce to drizzle over the pie. A lot of people drink bourbon with steak, and having it with dessert is a fun way to finish the meal.
For a fancier dessert with apple flavor, try making an apple tart with a creamy custard and sliced apples that have been fanning out in a beautiful way. You can brush it with some of that bourbon caramel sauce to really make it sing.
CHRISTMAS RECIPE: Christmas Beef Wellington
FAQ
What is the best dessert to be served after having a heavy meal?