desserts

For a fund-raiser in Boston, the Catered Affair set up a doughnut-on-a-stick bar, where guests could top their own treats with colored sugar, candy, and more.

It’s obvious Robyn Frank, owner of Thumbs Cookies, makes her tiny shortbread cookies by hand—her thumbprint is pressed into each one. A mixed batch of 60 cookies costs $30 and includes signature flavors such as ginger clove, apricot with pistachio and cardamom, candied pecan with rosemary, and original cinnamon-sugar topped with a chunk of Mast Brothers chocolate. Frank also makes Thumb Pies (pictured), miniature cookie sandwiches bonded together with colored frosting or chocolate hazelnut filling. The cookies can be customized with tiny edible letters and can be packaged as favors or gifts. Large orders of 500 or more must be placed two weeks in advance, and price breaks are available for large quantities.

Boston’s Wicked Good Cupcakes puts a new spin on the classic dessert with its Wicked Good to Go cupcake-in-a-jar treats. Each glass jar holds the equivalent of two cupcakes, and there are 15 flavor options, including vanilla birthday cake, sea-salted caramel, and red velvet. For corporate orders, the jars can include custom labels or colored sprinkles and fondant toppers. Custom Wicked Good to Gos start from $8.50 for an eight-ounce jar; shipping is available nationwide.

At The Express premiere, the night’s dessert offerings included truffle pops displayed in glass containers holding layered sugar that was coordinated with Syracuse University’s team colors.