These ‘Gossip Girl’-inspired Desserts will Make Heads Turn and Taste Buds Pop

He said, she said; you know, they know. Gossip is inherent to human beings. And a Gossip Girl inspired party is a great celebration of this fact. For the desserts, we’ve got you covered.

For the people around me, Gossip Girl introduced us to a world of secrets, high fashion and endless “XOXOs.” The Upper East Side’s elites are dramatic and glamorous, and the desserts celebrating them should be too.

With these ideas, your Gossip Girl-themed party will be infused with the sophistication and allure of Manhattan's fanciest. So prepare to have your desserts steal the spotlight and revel in the delectable dramas that unfold at your soirées. Remember to dress up in a cute number and a ribbon hairband (we love Blair Waldorf) and start your party with: “Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite.”

1. Macaron Tower

Macarons are dessert royalty. They're fancy, tasty and just slightly intimidating for the uninitiated, in terms of pronunciation and making. So if you get this right, it's going to be a truly impressive feat. Wow your guests with an impressive macaron tower, made up of a variety of vibrant macarons in flavors like coffee, chocolate, raspberry, pistachio, and lavender. Arrange them in tiers, creating a visually stunning centerpiece. Delicately garnish them with edible flowers and gold leaf for an added touch of opulence. Or, to really channel Gossip Girl, use edible gold paint to create tiny hearts on each macaron. It’s delicate and time consuming work, but it's worth it.

Here’s a recipe for one such flavor:

Ingredients:

• 1¾ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 egg whites
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 drops pink gel food coloring

For the vanilla buttercream filling:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp heavy cream

2. Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes

Cupcakes? Yes, please. Soft pink strawberry cupcakes? Things just got better. Infused with champagne? Here we have a sure winner! Channel Serena Van Der Woodsen's charm with these special, fun cupcakes. Infuse them with champagne for a subtle boozy note, and make sure they’re a playful, light pink color. Top them with champagne-infused frosting and a thinly sliced fresh strawberry piece. Offer glasses of champagne at the party too, since there can never really be too much of a good thing.

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

• 3 cups flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 6 large egg whites
• 1 cup strawberries, pureed
• 1 cup pink champagne

For the frosting:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 pound confectioners sugar
• 3 tbsp pink champagne
• 3 tbsp strawberries, pureed

For the topping:

• Thinly sliced strawberries

3. Berry Parfait

Healthy and indulgent in each bite, a berry parfait is a fun glass dessert that's easy to make and refreshing for the guests eating it. So recall Blair Waldorf's elegance with these playful, colorful berry parfaits. Layer mixed berries with yogurt, banana and granola. Repeat the layers to create a visually appealing dessert. Top with honey or a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of edible glitter for a touch of whimsy that's quintessentially Blair.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup greek yogurt
• ½ cup granola
• 1 banana, chopped
• ½ cup strawberry
• ½ cup raspberry
• ½ cup blueberry
• Honey
• Whipped cream
• Edible glitter

4. Chocolate Fondue

A chocolate fondue makes for a luxurious eating experience reminiscent of the exclusive soirées on the Upper East Side. You can just imagine high society enjoying a fondue, the chocolate sauce dripping down their hands and making a glamorous mess. So recreate this experiential dessert at your party too. Melt high-quality dark chocolate and serve it alongside an array of dippables like strawberries, marshmallows, and biscotti. Add a splash of liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, to the chocolate for a sophisticated twist.

For the dipping fondue chocolate:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt, as per taste
• 350 gm chocolate (chips or roughly chopped bar)

For the dipping:

• Strawberries
• Bananas, sliced
• Dried apricots
• Apple slices
• Marshmallows
• Biscotti

5. Cake Pops

Make cake pops with a Gossip Girl twist. Instead of rolling the mixture into simple balls, use molds to make mini purses, lipsticks, high heels or smartphones. Decorate them with edible glitter and edible pearls to capture the essence of Gossip Girl's chic and glamorous world.

Ingredients:

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup frosting
• 350 gm candy melts
• Lollipop sticks or toothpicks to hold the pops
• Rainbow sprinkles
• Edible glitter
• Edible pearls