When you're asked to provide funeral desserts for a reception, you'll want to pick something that's easy to make and feeds a crowd. If you're not making the desserts but requesting them, make sure to ask for a variety to suit numerous mourners' tastes.
Funeral Dessert Pie Ideas
Pies are a funeral dessert staple. Whether you go with banana cream, classic French silk, or a seasonal fruit pie, you're sure to find one that everyone enjoys.
Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe
Chocolate is a comfort food, so make a pudding pie to serve to mourners. Gather the following ingredients:
- 1 pre-baked pie crust or graham cracker crust
- 1 (8-ounce) chocolate bar (dark, milk, or semi-sweet), melted
- 2 packages of instant chocolate pudding
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup whipped topping
- Canned fudge frosting, as garnish
To make this simple, no-bake pie, do the following:
- Spread melted chocolate bar over the bottom of the pie crust. Set aside.
- Mix instant pudding packages with milk in a large bowl.
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Spread pudding mixture over the pie crust and chocolate.
- Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Garnish around the edges with fudge frosting and drop stars.
Classic Pies to Bake for Funerals
More pies to consider for funerals include:
- Coconut cream pies are a good choice for a summer funeral.
- Strawberry pie is a delicious dessert, especially if you have access to freshly picked berries.
- A pie made from Jell-O and yogurt can be made to suit any flavor profile.
- Mississippi mud pie is a decadent chocolate option.
- Chocolate cream pie made from scratch tastes as good as it sounds.
- Classic apple pie works in any season.
- Banana cream pie is a traditional pie for many people.
- Incorporate a splash of citrus with a lemon meringue pie.
- In the fall, sweet potato pie is a delicious funeral option.
- Traditional pecan pie is perfect for those with a sweet tooth and works well in fall and winter.
- Pumpkin pie is a classic flavor for a fall funeral.
Funeral Cake Recipes for Receptions
Funeral cakes are a traditional dessert for many people. Whether you go with a classic chocolate version or your own favorite cake, they are sure to please.
Easy Peach Dump Cake Recipe
A dump cake is the easiest cake to make when you're notified of an upcoming funeral and don't have a lot of time to prepare. The following five ingredients are all you need:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 (32-ounce) jar of peaches
- 1 stick of butter, melted
- 1/4 cup white powdered sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Cherries, as garnish
To make the cake, you should do the following:
- Preheat over to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9x13 cake pan.
- Pour the can of peaches and juice in the cake pan
- Shake the dry yellow cake mix over the the peaches and juice evenly.
- Drizzle melted butter back and forth over the top of the cake mix.
- Bake for 30 minutes or so, until top is lightly browned and cake is done in the center.
- While the cake cools, use a mixer to whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar.
- Top cake with whipped cream. Store in refrigerator until it is time to serve.
- Add cherries to the top as garnish, if desired.
More Funeral Cake Options
Think beyond the basic white or chocolate cake to come up with a tasty cake to finish the reception meal.
- Angel food cake offers a lighter option for people who don't want something too heavy.
- The basic sponge cake can be dressed up with numerous variations to suit your palate.
- Pineapple upside down cake is retro and delicious.
- Pair carrot cake with a delicious cream cheese frosting for a cake that's not overly sweet.
- A layered coffee cake puts a fancy spin on the traditional recipe.
- A quick and easy cinnamon cake adds a spicy touch to the dessert table at a funeral.
- Red velvet cake is a Southern staple and looks lovely when sliced and placed on a dessert table.
- Hummingbird cake is another Southern food can bring comfort to loved ones.
- A lemon layer cake adds a bit of citrus to a spring or summer funeral meal.
Funeral Bars Recipes
Bars are a great alternative to cookies. You can make them in a number of flavors, from fruit-filled to more decadent cheesecake versions.
Cinnamon Caramel No-Bake Cheesecake Bar Recipe
This no-bake cheesecake bar recipe feeds a large crowd and is easy to whip up. Gather:
- 3 cups crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 4 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whipped topping, plus additional topping for garnish
- 1/2 cup caramel ice cream sauce
To make these easy bars, do the following:
- Grease 9x13 pan with butter.
- Mix together the graham crackers, butter, and white sugar.
- Press evenly into the pan, covering the bottom and going up the sides.
- Put into refrigerator to set.
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Spread over crust.
- Drizzle caramel ice cream sauce over the top.
- Allow to set in refrigerator for an hour.
- Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped topping and additional cinnamon as garnish.
More Bars to Make for Funerals
More bars that are good to serve at funerals include:
- Classic brownie recipes can usually be whipped up with ingredients you have on-hand.
- Tangy lemon bars are a good option for mourners who don't want anything too sweet.
- Hazelnut almond squares are a delicious, nutty, cookie-like option.
- Crispy rice treats are fast to make and a good option if you know young children will be attending the funeral reception.
- Bake a chocolate chip cookie cake and cut it into bars instead of decorating it.
Have Several Funeral Dessert Table Options
Planning the funeral dessert table means having several options to offer mourners. If you have the kitchen help, consider plating desserts in the back and putting them out on small disposable plates. Otherwise, have desserts pre-sliced for easy self-serving.
