New York Kids
  • EN
Popular citiesBrowse all cities
  • English
Timeout

Get us in your inbox

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Search
  1. Photograph: Melissa Sinclair
    Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

    Melt Bakery

    Forget the cake—when it comes to birthdays, kids always scream for ice cream! Avoid drippy cones and opt for mini ice cream sandwiches that put the grocery-store freezer section to shame. Freshly baked cookies are paired with offbeat ice cream flavors to form killer combinations like the Elvis (peanut-butter cookies with banana ice cream) or the Cinnamax  (snickerdoodles with cinnamon ice cream). 132 Orchard St between Delancey and Rivington Sts (646-535-6358, meltbakery.com). Ice cream sandwiches $3 each, coolers and dry ice available for $25.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  2. Photograph: Laura Gallant
    Photograph: Laura Gallant

    Doughnuttery

    Fried dough has never been a tough sell with kids, and the minuscule doughnuts from this popular Chelsea Market vendor are no exception. The dough—sweet with a hint of spice—is fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, then glazed or tossed in unique sugar blends. Order a combination of flavors arranged in a pizza box, or have the shop bring its Donut Robot to you and fry the minis right before the kids’ eyes. 425 W 15th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-633-4359, doughnuttery.com). 6 mini doughnuts $5.50, box of 25 $20, box of 50 $40; plus delivery (around $15). 2oz dipping sauce $1, large dipping sauce $10. On-site doughnut fryer starting at $750.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  3. Photograph: Lauren Spinelli
    Photograph: Lauren Spinelli

    Harry and David

    Pretty petits fours decked out in bright birthday colors make for an elegant treat, perfect for a tea-party-themed fete. Dainty lemon-blueberry, strawberry shortcake and lemon-raspberry treats come nestled in a small box, delivered right to your door. Just place an order through the website and your work is done. (harryanddavid.com). Box of 15 petits fours $29.95.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  4. Photograph: Laura Gallant
    Photograph: Laura Gallant

    BiteMe Cheesecakes

    Cheesecake, a dessert that’s usually more popular with the grown-up crowd, shrinks down to adorable    bite-size morsels that kids will love, thanks to this Smorgasburg regular. Little graham-cracker-crust cups are filled with a creamy cheesecake base, then crowned with a variety of fun toppings. Build your own assorted box with classic cheesecake minis, plus fun spins like key lime, salty caramel– apple and pumpkin spice. 27 North 6th St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (551-574-0840, bitemecheesecakes.com). Box of mini cheesecakes $36 (plus shipping).

    PreviousNext
    /10
  5. Photograph: Laura Gallant
    Photograph: Laura Gallant

    Billy’s Bakery

    You can’t go wrong with these  simple but delicious cupcakes in classic flavors like chocolate, yellow cake, red velvet, banana and carrot, topped with light and silky buttercream or cream-cheese frosting. The miniature versions are the perfect bite for little ones, and they look precious with a single birthday candle when it comes time to sing. 184 Ninth Ave between 21st and 22nd Sts, plus two other locations. (212-647-9956, billysbakerynyc.com). Mini cupcakes 12 for $18.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  6. Photograph: Lauren Spinelli
    Photograph: Lauren Spinelli

    Dominique Ansel

    This genius pastry chef’s follow-up to the Cronut has families flocking to his bakery for a fun, kid-friendly treat. Buttery, chocolate-chip-cookie shot glasses are lined with chocolate glaze and filled to the brim with vanilla-infused milk. Trot out these raved-about confections and your tyke’s party is sure to be the talk of the town. 189 Spring St between Sullivan and Thompson Sts (212-219-2773, dominiqueansel.com). Milk and cookie shot $3 each, box of 8 $25, bottle of milk $3.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  7. Photograph: Laura Gallant
    Photograph: Laura Gallant

    William Greenberg Desserts

    This famed Upper East Side bakery offers a Big Apple favorite in a little package. Their mini black-and-white cookies, coated with a layer of rich chocolate and vanilla frosting, come frosted in the classic style, or customized in your choice of colors (pick from red, blue, pink and more). 1100 Madison Ave between 82nd and 83rd Sts (212-861-1340, wmgreenbergdesserts.com). 18 black-and-white minis (or custom colors) $27.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  8. Photograph: Lauren Spinelli
    Photograph: Lauren Spinelli

    Fat Witch Bakery

    The delightful packaging on these individually wrapped brownie bites makes the fudgy treats great for arranging on a dessert table or sending home with party guests in goody bags. The classic, caramel, walnut and blondie Witch Babies (tiny versions of their signature Fat Witch brownies) will be a hit with chocolate-loving kiddos. 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts, (888-419-4824, fatwitch.com). Witch Babies $1.85 each, gift box 8 for $17.95, 16 for $33.95, 24 for $46, 36 for $68, plus shipping.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  9. Photograph: Lauren Spinelli
    Photograph: Lauren Spinelli

    Baked

    Almost as fun to say as they are to eat, these wee whoopie pies will win over parents and kids alike as a tasty and whimsical birthday dessert. Two pillowy, not-too-sweet cakes in heavenly flavors, like pumpkin, red velvet, chocolate and banana, sandwich a rich buttercream frosting filling to make a fun, handheld confection that rivals any traditional layer cake in flavor. 359 Van Brunt St between Dikeman and Wolcott Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-222-0345, bakednyc.com). Mini whoopie pies $2.25 each.

    PreviousNext
    /10
  10. Photographer: Laura Gallant
    Photographer: Laura Gallant

    Twelve Oaks Bakery

    There’s something about food on a stick that makes it more fun to eat! Ditch the forks and paper plates and hand out cake pops instead—dense yet moist cake balls dipped in frosting and presented on an easy-to-hold stick (or in ruffled  cups for cake bites). The decadent sweets are a playful riff on traditional birthday fare and come in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, cookies and cream, peanut butter cup and even funfetti. Delivery in Manhattan and some areas in Brooklyn (646-460-0641, twelveoaksbakery.com). Cake bites $2.75 each, cake pops $3 each, minimum order 24, add $10 for more than one flavor. Cake pop stands $10–$15. Delivery $15–$20.

    PreviousNext
    /10

Bite-size birthday treats for kids

These ten tiny desserts are perfect for pint-sized party guests! Bring them out at your next birthday bash for a no-fuss treat the kids will eat right up.

Written by
Hannah Doolin
Advertising

No matter which birthday party place you choose for your tyke's celebration, delicious desserts will be a must-have element to make the fete a sweet success. Kids will always love birthday cake and ice cream, but the traditional party fare can lose its luster when repeated year after year. For your next bash, try out these ten miniature confections on your party gests—from teensy doughnuts to decadent milk-and-cookie shots.

Click the right arrow on the image below to see our best kids' cakes.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising

    Get us in your inbox

    Loading animation
    Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

    By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

    🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

    Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

    Time Out

    About us

    Contact us

    Time Out products

    Time Out magazine

    Site map
    © 2024 Time Out England Limited and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. All rights reserved. Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out Digital Limited.