Tassies: The Mini Dessert Your Grazing Table Needs

Sometimes, a little nibble satisfies in a big way. Simply put, tassies are small, cup-shaped desserts or tiny tarts. It's a larger dessert that has been shrunk into a one- or two-bite version. Whether people reference the Scottish term or translate the idea from the French, the bite-sized offering is perfect for your next grazing table.

A dessert buffet, grazing table, or dessert board usually features a variety of smaller-sized treats so that guests can sample a wide variety. The abundance of tiny nibbles is visually impressive and invites people to congregate around a table, creating a social atmosphere. With this particular dessert, no one has to worry about slicing the pie, balancing a fork on a plate, or overindulging on too big of a serving. It is a simple grab, eat, and enjoy scenario. 

Although miniature, tassies deliver the expected flavors from their larger counterpart. Whether a flakey, delicate pastry dough filled with sweet pecan pie filling or a sandy tart crust layered with mousse or citrus curd, the no-fork-required bite almost feels like a poppable snack. The grazing table invites people to sample the tassies and return for another serving of another variety. 

The food presented on a grazing table is an array of nibbles, small bites, and handheld items that usually do not require a fork. While the portions may be small, that size invites sampling various offerings. 

Tassies are ideal for a grazing table because the small bites of dessert are easy to eat and complement the idea of perusing. It is a self-contained dessert where the dough surrounds the filling. Since the soft, cream cheese-based dough does not crumble as easily as some other pie doughs, it tends to be less messy than a traditional flakey crust. As people stand around the table conversing, they don't have to worry about spilling crumbs on their shirts. Whether popped as a single bite or broken into two parts, it is easy to mindlessly snack while enjoying conversation. Since the display can draw a crowd, easy-to-eat foods are well-suited for a social environment. 

While tassie mini desserts appeal to the cute visual factor on that grazing table, the sweet concept can adapt to almost any flavor. Pecan tassies might be a Southern staple, but that nutty indulgence does not have to be the only option. For example, a zesty lemon curd with a tart, savory cream cheese crust is delightful. If the flavors work in a pie or a tart, they should be equally as tasty in this tiny treat. 

With mini-muffin tins waiting to be filled, the same dough base can be swapped with a plethora of fillings, like a classic apple pie with a crumble topping to a luscious chocolate. The convenience leans into a baker's creativity without their need to stand in the kitchen waiting for each full-size pie to bake. Creating many flavors in one pan plays into the grazing table's variety. If that dessert display concept is meant to offer people options, the single dough paired with various fillings simplifies the preparation.

From the appearance on the grazing table to the ability to sample all the flavors, tassies can be the sweet solution to any dessert course. One pan, many flavors, and no fork required sounds like the perfect choice.