Go Back

Easy No-Bake Petit Fours in 30 Minutes

Decadent, beautifully decorated little cakes that require zero baking and can be made in just 30 minutes! Perfect for impressive last-minute entertaining.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 petit fours
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, French Inspired
Calories: 110

Ingredients
  

No-Bake Petit Four Base
  • 1 dense loaf pound cake e.g., store-bought Sara Lee, sliced
  • 0.25 cup apricot or raspberry jam optional, for thin layer
Quick Set Poured Glaze
  • 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 0.33 cup whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • few drops Gel food coloring Pink, Lavender, etc.
  • 1 tsp coconut oil optional, for extra shine
Decorations & Piping
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar for piping paste
  • 1 tbsp milk for piping paste
  • various sanding sugars pink, clear, purple
  • various sprinkles purple jimmies, pink jimmies

Equipment

  • Wire rack
  • Baking sheet
  • Serrated knife
  • Small heat-safe bowls (for glazes)
  • Small piping bags with fine tips
  • Small bowls for dipping and toppings

Method
 

  1. If cake is uncut, slice into thin 1/2-inch horizontal layers. Spread a very thin layer of jam between all but the top layer (optional). Re-stack, wrap in plastic, and chill for 10 minutes.
  2. Using a serrated knife, cut the chilled cake stack precisely into 1-inch squares. Arrange squares on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch glaze. Chill squares for another 10 minutes.
  3. Prepare the base glaze by whisking sifted powdered sugar, milk (or cream), vanilla, and optional coconut oil until smooth. Divide the glaze into separate small, warm bowls. Color each bowl with gel food coloring to desired shades (white, pink, lavender, etc.)
  4. One by one, use a small fork to dip each chilled cake square into its respective glaze, ensuring full coverage. Let excess glaze drip off, then place back on the wire rack to set. Repeat for all squares.
  5. Let the glazes set completely at room temperature (15-20 min) or in the fridge (5-10 min) before decorating.
  6. For line art: Mix extra powdered sugar and milk into thick paste. Load into contrasting small piping bags. Pipe thin, parallel zig-zag lines across set petit fours (e.g., white on pink, pink on white). Let set.
  7. For sugar crust: While a second glaze coat is still wet and tacky, dip the top surface into fine sanding sugar (pink, clear, or purple). Let set.
  8. For sprinkled: While the second glaze coat is still tacky, lightly press sprinkles into the top surface. Let set.
  9. Ensure all decorations are set before serving or storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Notes

These are delicate! For best results, use a dense, high-quality store-bought cake. Liquid food color can make your glaze too runny. Chilling the cake well helps it hold its shape.