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Light Desserts with Ice Cream

Easy dessert with caramelized pineapple and tonka bean icecream

We present here a selection of desserts that are both simple to prepare and light to enjoy — meaning, not too heavy on the stomach

We present here a selection of desserts that are both simple to prepare and light to enjoy — meaning, not too heavy on the stomach.

In a world where cooking meets art and flavor merges with the senses, desserts hold a special place in our culinary journeys. Light desserts — whether easy to prepare or gentle and airy in texture — have a unique appeal.

When we talk about “light desserts,” it can be a bit ambiguous. Does it mean a dessert that’s quick to make, or a small, refreshing dessert that doesn’t weigh you down after a meal? We’ll cover both interpretations below.

Easily Prepared Desserts

For chefs at all levels, simple desserts offer a welcome break from the more complex and time-consuming tasks often found in the kitchen. These desserts provide a fantastic way to impress guests with minimal effort. The straightforward approach also allows chefs to experiment with ingredients and techniques without fear of major failures.

Why we love them:

  • Efficiency: In the fast-paced kitchen environment, time is a valuable resource. Desserts that require few ingredients and even fewer steps in preparation contribute to a more streamlined operation.

  • Accessibility: Simple desserts often call for standard kitchen ingredients, making them accessible to chefs regardless of season or budget.
  • Creativity: They give chefs the freedom to be creative, often leading to unique variations and innovative new dishes. It’s easy to stand out with a simple dessert — by adding a broken gel, plating with a coulis, or garnishing with an elegant tuile.

Light and Airy Desserts

On the other hand, we have desserts characterized by their lightness in texture and feel. These airy, fresh creations delight the palate, offer a perfect end to a meal, and often leave us wanting more. Light and refreshing desserts are especially popular in the summer. There’s nothing better than a delicate and airy treat on a hot day!

Why we love them:

  • Balance: After a heavy meal, a light dessert adds the perfect balance, leaving you feeling satisfied rather than stuffed.

  • Digestibility: After a rich entrée, the idea of a dense, indulgent dessert can be less appealing. A lighter option provides a pleasant finish without sitting heavy in the stomach.

  • Subtlety: Light desserts often celebrate more delicate flavors that can be overshadowed by richer sweets. Their finesse allows for a more nuanced tasting experience.

Innovative Textures: Chefs can use a variety of techniques to create interesting textures — mousses, foams, jellies, and crispy elements — that add a whole new dimension to the dessert experience.

Light Desserts with Ice Cream

Inspiration for Light Desserts

We’re happy to share a few ideas from our dessert archive to inspire your next restaurant creation.

Caramelized Pineapple with Tonka Bean Ice Cream

This dessert fits both categories — easy to prepare and light on the palate. It consists of caramelized pineapple, a tuile, a touch of greenery, and tonka bean ice cream. It’s simple to prep in advance and quick to plate as an elegant dessert. Each element is easy to make.

Olive Oil Bite with Olive Oil Ice Cream

This dessert — which could also function as a palate cleanser — is both easy to make and light in texture. It features a small slice of focaccia or similar bread, served with a quenelle of olive oil ice cream, garnished with a drop of olive oil, lemon zest, dried olives, and a pinch of salt.

Crêpes with Orange Sorbet

Who doesn’t love quick pancakes? Make them ahead of time and keep them warm. Top with simple ingredients like apricot purée, roasted nuts, and orange sorbet.

Lemon Meringue with Vanilla Ice Cream

With a buttery tart crust, tangy lemon filling, and airy meringue topping, this dessert is both quick to make and easy to enjoy after a meal. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the tartness.

Crème Brûlée with Apple Sorbet

Crème brûlée is easy to prep in advance. Torch the top before serving and optionally add pickled apples and apple sorbet. This light dessert can be adapted to the season — for example, with strawberries and strawberry sorbet in summer.

Molskroens Banana Split

Though a bit more indulgent, this dessert is easy to prepare. Peel a banana, add a few scoops of ice cream, and garnish with chantilly, chocolate sauce, and seasonal berries.

Pavlova

Pavlova is the essence of a light and airy dessert. Prepare it in advance with a crisp meringue base and fluffy whipped cream. Add seasonal sorbet, fruits, and berries for a delightful end to a meal.

Pickled Melon with Elderflower Sorbet

This dessert is easy to make and a refreshing summer favorite. Pickle melon pieces in a liqueur of your choice and serve with a quenelle of elderflower sorbet. Garnish with wood sorrel or similar greens for a visually and flavorfully refined touch.

Lemon Mousse with Gooseberry Sorbet

This dessert combines easy prep with a light texture. Make the lemon mousse and lemon marmalade ahead of time and serve with gooseberry sorbet for a fresh taste experience.

Apple Mousse with Apple Sorbet

A light dessert that won’t weigh you down. It consists of apple mousse glazed in apple jelly. Prep the base in advance so it’s ready for quick serving.

Fresh Pear Dessert

A refreshing finish that’s gentle on the stomach. This dessert includes vanilla sponge cake, poached pear balls, fresh pear slices, vanilla ice cream, and more delightful components you can read about in the link.

Creating a dessert that balances the art of being easy to prepare with the joy of being a pleasure to eat is a skill highly valued in culinary circles. Light desserts offer a unique opportunity to explore creativity, play with textures and flavors, and most importantly, deliver an experience that feels both indulgent and refreshing. Whether you enjoy the subtle elegance of an airy mousse or the joy of assembling a simple yet enchanting dessert, it’s clear that the love for these treats spans far and wide. In a world that’s often complicated, simple pleasures like these bring a special kind of satisfaction.