Do you love a warm bowl of vegetable soup on a cold day? Adding the proper dessert to this meal makes it unique. Imagine those cold winter nights after eating a hot bowl of veggie soup; that’s when amazing desserts complete the whole meal.
I want to share some great desserts that go amazingly well with your favorite veggie soup dishes. From soft and decadent chocolate cake to light and fluffy panna cotta – these desserts will surely make your dinner extra tasty.
11 Desserts That Go Great With Vegetable Soup
Chocolate Cake
At first glance, it may seem odd to pair a sweet, rich cake with a savory soup, but chocolate cake provides an excellent contrast to the savory flavors of the soup. This is especially true if you opt for a cake made with dark chocolate, which has a slightly bitter and complex flavor that can balance out the earthiness of the soup.
By contrast, a lighter or sweeter cake would not be able to stand up to the bold flavors of the soup.
In addition to providing a flavor contrast, chocolate cake is a hearty dessert that can hold its own against the substantial, filling nature of the vegetable soup. Its dense and indulgent texture perfectly matches the chunky vegetables, beans, and grains often found in vegetable soup.
Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is a dessert consisting of baked apples topped with a streusel-like mixture of flour, sugar, butter, and often cinnamon or other spices.
The dish is baked until the top is golden brown and crispy, while the apples underneath become tender and sweet.
Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a classic Southern dessert that typically features sweetened peaches baked under a layer of buttery biscuits or crumbly crumble.
While it’s not a traditional pairing, there are a few ways to serve peach cobbler with vegetable soup to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
One option is to serve the peach cobbler as a standalone dessert or snack alongside the soup. This way, you can enjoy the cobbler’s sweetness and warmth after finishing your savory soup.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a traditional American dessert typically enjoyed during fall, particularly around Thanksgiving. The dessert features a sweet pie crust filled with spiced pumpkin puree, eggs, and sweetened condensed milk.
When pairing pumpkin pie with vegetable soup, the two dishes are generally enjoyed separately as they do not complement each other exceptionally well. While pumpkin pie is sweet and creamy, vegetable soup is savory and hearty, making the flavors two distinct to mix.
However, pumpkin pie can be an excellent finish to a warm and comforting bowl of vegetable soup, providing a satisfying and decadent dessert to round out the meal.
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a traditional holiday treat, and their spiced flavor and warm fragrance can make them the perfect complement to a cozy bowl of vegetable soup.
The subtle sweetness of the cookies can counterbalance the soup’s savory and slightly bitter flavors, creating a well-rounded meal that will satisfy both sweet and savory cravings.
Gingerbread cookies are also a great option if you’re looking for a relatively light dessert that won’t leave you feeling too heavy after a meal. You can enjoy a small, sweet treat without feeling overindulged by pairing a couple of cookies with a bowl of soup.
Chocolate Pie
Chocolate pie is a sweet and decadent dessert with a filling made from chocolate and cream or milk, poured into a pie crust, and chilled until set. Some recipes for chocolate pie call for milk chocolate, while others use dark chocolate for an intense chocolate flavor.
The filling can be cooked on the stovetop or baked in the oven and may include other ingredients such as sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, or cornstarch to give it a smooth and creamy texture.
Chocolate pie is often served with whipped cream or chocolate shavings on top and makes for a delicious treat for any chocolate lover.
Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is a popular Italian dessert known for its silky and creamy texture. It is made by simmering cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin, which helps the dessert to set. The mixture is then poured into small cups or molds and chilled until firm. Once the panna cotta has set, it is typically served with a fruit compote or sauce, such as raspberry, strawberry, or mango.
Some variations of panna cotta may include other flavorings, such as vanilla, coffee, or chocolate.
Almond Biscotti
Almond biscotti is a crisp, twice-baked cookie that originated in Italy. It is typically made with flour, sugar, eggs, and almonds and is baked until firm and golden brown. Almond biscotti is often enjoyed as a dipping cookie, as its hard texture makes it ideal for dunking into coffee, tea, or even dessert wine.
Place one or two cookies on the side of the bowl to serve almond biscotti with vegetable soup.
Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is a classic dessert with grated carrots and other ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The cake is typically topped with a cream cheese frosting and can also include add-ins like raisins, nuts, or pineapple for added texture and flavor.
Carrot cake’s moist and tender crumb, warm spices, and slight sweetness can make it the perfect pairing for a hearty vegetable soup.
You may want to moderate the portion sizes when serving carrot cake with vegetable soup, as carrot cake can be a relatively rich and indulgent dessert. A slice of cake roughly 1-2 inches in width should satisfy your sweet tooth without overwhelming your palate after the soup.
Banana Bread Pudding
Banana bread pudding is a sweet, decadent dessert combining the flavors and textures of banana bread and traditional bread pudding.
Ripe bananas are mashed and mixed with a custard-like base made from eggs, milk, and sugar, then combined with cubes of stale bread or banana bread.
The mixture is then baked until set, and the bread pudding is topped with a decadent caramel sauce or cream cheese frosting.
Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles
Hazelnut chocolate truffles are a delicious dessert that pairs perfectly with vegetable soup. These bite-sized treats are decadent and rich, making them the perfect indulgence to balance out the savory flavors of the soup.
To make hazelnut chocolate truffles, start by melting high-quality dark chocolate and stirring in heavy cream. Once the mixture is smooth and glossy, add finely chopped hazelnuts and stir until well combined. Chill the mixture for a few hours until it’s firm enough to roll into small balls.
Roll them in a mixture of cocoa powder and finely chopped hazelnuts to finish the truffles. The cocoa powder adds a touch of bitterness that complements the sweetness of the truffles, while the hazelnuts provide a satisfying crunch.
About Vegetable Soup
Vegetable soup is a highly nutritious and flavorful dish with vegetables, broth, and various spices.
To make vegetable soup, you must start by chopping and sautéing onion, garlic, and other vegetables of your choice, such as carrots, celery, potatoes, and bell peppers.
Then add vegetable broth or water, bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender. Finally, you can add herbs and spices like thyme, basil, salt, and pepper to taste.
The benefits of vegetable soup are numerous. It is low in calories, making it an excellent choice for those watching their weight. It is also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all essential for optimal health.
Vegetable soup is also incredibly versatile and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and seasonings, ensuring it always tastes great.
No matter what your taste buds are craving, there’s a dessert that perfectly complements your bowl of vegetable soup.
So next time you’re in the mood for something hearty and filling, try one (or all!) of these delicious options.
FAQs
What type of vegetables is in the soup?
The soup likely contains a variety of vegetables, but it could vary depending on who made it or where it was purchased. Some common ingredients may include carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Is vegetable soup healthy?
Generally speaking, vegetable soup can be a healthy option as it is low in calories and packed with nutrients from various vegetables. However, the overall healthiness of the soup could also depend on added ingredients such as salt or cream.
Can this soup be made vegan/vegetarian?
It depends on the specific recipe and ingredients used. Still, many vegetable soups can easily be vegan or vegetarian by swapping animal-based products for plant-based alternatives.
Can you add protein to vegetable soup?
Yes, protein such as beans, tofu, or lentils can easily be added to vegetable soup for flavor and nutrition.
How do you make homemade vegetable soup?
There are many different ways to make homemade vegetable soup. Still, some common steps include sautéing aromatics and vegetables in a pot, adding broth or water and any desired seasonings or protein sources, and allowing the mixture to simmer until the vegetables are tender before serving.