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" Recently the Food Channel, a website that keeps track of what&amp;#039;s new in the food world, released a report on the latest dessert trends. About the same time we sent one of our summer interns Heather Rinder, senior at Syracuse University and possessor of a massive sweet tooth to a party celebrating the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America Awards. Here&amp;#039;s her report on the trends and how the masters are incorporating them into their dessert menus, plus ideas on how you can try them in your own kitchen.  The cupcake. Yes, mini-cake shops are still sprouting on almost every corner. And they&amp;#039;re no longer your typical miniature cake. Look for shapes that are shorter, taller, fatter, served on a stick, or even un-iced versions of the original. For at-home baking, learn creative decorating tips for cupcakes from our video and slideshow.  Hot-and-sweet-and-salty is a still-emerging trend. Everything from sea salt, to bacon, to jalape\u00F1os are making their way into chocolates and candies. At the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America Awards event Chef Sylvain Leroy of New Orleans-based Sucre served Lipstick on a Pig, a spin on the classic peanut-butter and jelly sandwich - the ultimate sweet-and-salty combination. To whip-up a pairing of this taste-bud blend, try our easy-to-make bite-sized Chocolate Clusters made with peanuts and cornflakes or Grilled Plums with Yogurt and Pistachios which include a dash of pepper.  Tart, fruit-based desserts are riding the popularity of Latin American cooking. Several of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs showcased sweets made with tropical fruits including banana, pineapple, mango, and passion-fruit. Treats made from south-of-the-border delicacies will be especially refreshing in these hot, muggy months. For summer parties, serve Mango Tart with lime pastry cream and fresh kiwi or Pineapple Shortcake.   If you enjoy a good cocktail or drink, you&amp;#039;ll welcome &amp;quot;dessert for grownups&amp;quot;. Food Channel says, &amp;quot;We&amp;#039;re seeing milkshakes with a splash of rum, wine paired with gelato, and beer partnered with donuts.&amp;quot; For guests at the awards celebration, Chef Yoni Morales of Ark Las Vegas Restaurant Corp. stirred up Mojito Cappuccinos - one of the most unique dishes I tasted and my personal favorite. To enjoy a similar cocktail-based dessert at home, try Margarita Cheesecake. Other sweet ideas to savor:   Adapting the French custom of ending a meal with cheese.  Adding hints of floral as in Rose Petal Sorbet or Lavender Limeade. You can also decorate desserts with edible flowers. See our list of which buds are okay to munch on.   Who said dessert has to be served after dinner? Indulge in a little sweetness all day long. A few chocolate-covered pretzels or a spoonful of fruity sorbet has gotten me through many an afternoon slump in the library.          Want to know more? Check out Food Channel&amp;#039;s complete list of trends. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a23948/top-trends-in-desserts/>