How many desserts per person: petits fours, verrines, cakes?
How many cakes, petits fours and verrines per person: 1.5 to 4 pieces depending on the format, a table for 10, 20 and 50 people, and the budget.
Plan 2 to 3 sweet pieces per person for a buffet, 1.5 to 2 for a 20 to 30 minute break and 4 for a dinner reception: for 20 people, 40 to 60 petits fours, or 2 large cakes of 10 to 12 slices. Here are the quantities for 10, 20 and 50 people, with the products and prices from the catalogue.
How many desserts per person, depending on the format?
The number of sweet pieces per person rises with the length of the event and the meal it replaces: 1.5 to 2 for a break, 2 to 3 at a buffet, 4 at a dinner reception. Add a 10% margin to the confirmed headcount. The table gives the total for 10, 20 and 50 people.
| Format | Per person | 10 people | 20 people | 50 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Break or afternoon break of 20 to 30 minutes | 1.5 to 2 | 15 to 20 | 30 to 40 | 75 to 100 |
| Seminar afternoon, two breaks | 3 | 30 | 60 | 150 |
| Drinks reception, 8 canapés | 2 | 20 | 40 | 100 |
| Cold buffet | 2 to 3 | 20 to 30 | 40 to 60 | 100 to 150 |
| Lunch reception, 12 canapés | 3 | 30 | 60 | 150 |
| Dinner reception, 16 canapés | 4 | 40 | 80 | 200 |
The cocktail reception benchmarks come from the 8, 12 and 16 canapé packages, which include 2, 3 and 4 sweet pieces; those for a buffet are in the quantities for a cold buffet.
How many petits fours per person?
Plan 2 to 3 petits fours per person as a buffet dessert, 1.5 to 2 for a break, 1 to 2 macarons when they accompany other products, 2 to 3 if they are the centrepiece. The table gives the catalogue price of each piece so you can work out your order.
| Product | Packaging | Price excl. VAT | Price per piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptional macarons | Box of 24, for 8 to 12 people | €64.00 | €2.67 |
| Madeleines | Box of 20, for 8 to 12 people | €49.00 | €2.45 |
| Signature cookies | 6 pieces | €17.90 | €2.98 |
| Lemon or praline tartlet | 6 pieces | €19.90 | €3.32 |
| Fresh fruit skewers | 20 skewers | €48.90 | €2.45 |
The details for macarons are in how many macarons to order, and all the products are on the afternoon breaks page.
How many dessert verrines per person?
Plan one verrine per person when it is the only dessert, so 4 boxes of 6 for 20 people: 24 verrines, €67.60 excl. VAT in panna cotta at €16.90 excl. VAT per box. Alongside other pieces, a verrine counts as one of the 2 to 3 sweet pieces.
| Headcount | Boxes of 6 | Verrines | Panna cotta or lemon curd at €16.90 | Chocolate mousse at €18.90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 12 | €33.80 | €37.80 |
| 20 | 4 | 24 | €67.60 | €75.60 |
| 50 | 10 | 60 | €169.00 | €189.00 |
Verrines are eaten with a spoon: disposable cutlery is included at no extra cost.
How many cakes per person?
Plan one slice per person when the cake is the only dessert: one large tart of 10 to 12 slices for 10 people, 2 for 20, 5 for 50. The large lemon meringue tart is €59.90 excl. VAT, the large hazelnut praline cake €69.90 excl. VAT, so €4.99 to €6.99 excl. VAT per slice.
How many evening cakes per person?
For an evening dinner reception, plan 4 sweet pieces per person, including one slice of cake: 80 pieces for 20 people, so 2 large tarts (20 slices) and 60 petits fours. The cake sets the moment of the toast; the petits fours fill in for those with a sweet tooth.
What dessert budget should you plan for 20 people?
For 20 people, dessert comes to €126.90 excl. VAT for a break with 2 pieces, €200.40 excl. VAT for a buffet with 3 pieces and €320.20 excl. VAT for an evening with 4 pieces including one slice of cake, €29 excl. VAT delivery included, for a single delivery.
| Format | Selection | Calculation excl. VAT | Total excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Break, 2 pieces (40) | 20 madeleines, 20 fruit skewers | 49.00 + 48.90 + 29 | €126.90 |
| Buffet, 3 pieces (60) | 24 macarons, 24 panna cotta verrines, 12 lemon tartlets | 64.00 + 67.60 + 39.80 + 29 | €200.40 |
| Evening, 4 pieces (80) | 2 large lemon meringue tarts, 24 macarons, 24 verrines, 12 tartlets | 119.80 + 64.00 + 67.60 + 39.80 + 29 | €320.20 |
The ready-to-serve afternoon break starts at €6 per person excl. VAT, so €149 excl. VAT for 20 people with delivery included; see also the office afternoon break.
Which desserts should you choose for the moment?
Choose the dessert according to the moment: products that can be eaten standing up for a break, a variety of pieces at a buffet, a cake in the middle of the table in the evening. Each family in the catalogue matches a specific use, with different prices and quantities.
- For a break: madeleines, cookies, fresh fruit skewers, sliced loaf cakes (5 to 6 people for €13.90 excl. VAT).
- At a buffet: macarons, verrines (panna cotta, lemon curd, chocolate mousse) and tartlets.
- In the evening: a large tart (lemon meringue, raspberry or hazelnut praline) and macarons.
How many pastries per person for a breakfast?
Plan 2 pastries per person, 3 for up to 10 people, so 40 for 20 people, with a 10% margin on the confirmed headcount. A platter of 30 mini pastries serves 10 to 15 people. The details are in how many pastries per person.
Which mistakes should you avoid with dessert quantities?
- One cake for 20 people: a large tart serves 10 to 12 slices, you need 2.
- Counting on the guest list: calculate on the confirmed headcount, plus 10%.
- Adding savoury and sweet together: sweet pieces are counted separately.
- Forgetting dietary needs: the fruit skewers are vegan and gluten-free, the banana bread is gluten-free.
- Ordering everything in one format: mix a slice of cake, a verrine and a macaron.
Frequently asked questions about dessert quantities
How many cakes per person?
One slice per person when the cake is the only dessert: one large tart of 10 to 12 slices for 10 people, 2 for 20, 5 for 50. If other sweet pieces are served, count the slice as one sweet piece and add the rest.
How many petits fours per person?
Two to three petits fours per person as a buffet dessert, 1.5 to 2 for a 20 to 30 minute break, 4 for a dinner reception. For 20 people at a buffet: 40 to 60 pieces, for example 24 macarons, 24 verrines and 12 tartlets.
How many dessert verrines per person?
One verrine per person if it is the only dessert, so 4 boxes of 6 for 20 people (24 verrines, €67.60 excl. VAT in panna cotta). Alongside other sweet pieces, a verrine counts as one of the 2 to 3 sweet pieces.
How many evening cakes per person?
For an evening dinner reception, plan 4 sweet pieces per person, including one slice of cake: 80 pieces for 20 people, so 2 large tarts of 10 to 12 slices and 60 petits fours. The cake also marks the moment of the toast.
What dessert budget for 20 people?
€126.90 excl. VAT for a break with 2 pieces per person, €200.40 excl. VAT for a buffet with 3 pieces, €320.20 excl. VAT for an evening with 4 pieces including one slice of cake. The €29 excl. VAT delivery is included, for a single delivery.
Are the desserts suitable for dietary requirements?
The whole menu is halal and pork-free by default, and alcohol-free. The fresh fruit skewers are vegan and gluten-free, the banana bread is gluten-free. Specify dietary needs when ordering; traces of gluten remain possible, as the kitchen handles flour.
How do you request a quote for your desserts?
Give the date, headcount, address and dietary needs collected: the quote is sent within 24 hours, with company invoicing, VAT and purchase orders accepted, and delivery is possible from 6:30 am, Monday to Friday. Request your quote. L'Écrin Traiteur prices, October 2026.
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