23 Best Desserts for a Prime Rib Dinner

Wondering what dessert goes with prime rib dinner?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for prime rib.

There’s just something about that perfectly-cooked meat and that horseradish sauce that gets me every time.

Read Also: What Wine Goes With Prime Rib? (10 Best Wines)

I love it so much that I try to eat prime rib at least once a week, even though it is the least healthy thing in the world.

But the thing is, no one’s eating prime rib alone.

It’s part of a meal. A full meal.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ve got some stuffing and some potatoes and some green beans on your plate, but you just can’t decide what to have for dessert.

Well have no fear.

Here are 23 desserts to go with your prime rib dinner that will make you feel like a true gourmand in every way!

23 Best Desserts for Prime Rib Dinner

No matter what kind of prime rib dinner you’re planning, we’ve got a dessert that’s sure to be a hit.

From dense, rich chocolate torte to sweet, light angel food cake, there’s something for everybody.

And the best part?

These desserts are easy to make and only take a short time to prepare.

So go ahead and put that prime rib in the oven—we’ll show you how to make your dinner complete!

1. Molten Lava Cake

So you’re having prime rib for dinner, and you want to serve some kind of decadent dessert, but you don’t want to be embarrassed when it comes time to dig in.

The secret is picking the right kind of dessert—and that’s molten lava cake.

Here’s how to make this work: start off with a light salad and a baked potato, because you know prime rib is going to be filling.

This way, people won’t be super full from eating their main course when it comes time for dessert.

But, here’s where it gets good: for dessert, serve a light scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a molten lava cake.

The warm cake will melt the ice cream, creating a decadent sauce that will have everyone groaning in pleasure—without the heaviness that can make eating cake feel like a chore.

While this recipe is simple and straightforward, here are some tips to make sure it comes out delicious every time:

• Measure carefully so you don’t add too much flour or cocoa powder.
• Use room temperature ingredients so your cake rises evenly in the oven.
• Don’t overfill your ramekins or the cake will spill over when it bakes and won’t have a hollow center with a gooey chocolate filling.

Here’s how I like to make it:

1. The first step to making Molten Lava Cake is preheating your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Next, you’ll want to melt your butter, chocolate, and cocoa powder over boiling water.
3. Once this mixture has melted into a smooth liquid, remove it from the heat and beat in your eggs and sugar until the batter has thickened and turned shiny.
4. Then, fold in some flour and salt until the batter is just blended—don’t over-mix!
5. Finally, pour the batter into greased ramekins and bake them for about 13 minutes.

And there you have it!

The perfect dessert for any special occasion.

2. Brownie with Ice Cream

It’s important to pair a baked good with a dessert that has something creamy.

In the case of a brownie, the ice cream is the perfect complement because it helps balance out the intensity of chocolate flavor in the brownie.

The cool and creamy texture helps cut through the richness of the dark chocolate and add some contrast.

Plus, it gives you an excuse to eat two desserts at once—and who can argue with that?

You can buy your brownie mix at any grocery store.

If you have time to wait, make the brownies from scratch—the result will be more decadent and delicious.

If you’re short on time but still want a high-quality treat, look for the kind of brownie mix they sell in the refrigerated section of the store—you can get some really great stuff there!

3. Chocolate Mousse

You’ve put in a lot of work to get that prime rib just right.

You’ve seasoned it, cooked it to perfection, and it’s resting on the cutting board.

But you know what’s missing?

Dessert!

There are a few things that make for a great dessert pairing with prime rib:

• It should be rich, but not too sweet.
• It should have some texture, but not overpower.
• It should complement the meat instead of competing with it.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to top off your prime rib dinner, look no further than this decadent chocolate mousse recipe.

This recipe is sweeter than the savory roast beef you’ll pair it with, but dark chocolate’s richness is a perfect complement to the smoky flavors in your dinner.

Chocolate mousse also has a light texture that provides a nice contrast to the heartier meal that came before it.

Here’s how to make it:

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of heavy cream and one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring frequently until the chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Add 2 beaten eggs.
4. Stir until combined.
5. Transfer to individual cups or bowls and refrigerate until chilled and set, about 2 hours.
6. Enjoy!

4. Pumpkin Pie

If you’re looking for a seasonal treat that pairs well with your prime rib, look no further than pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin is a perfect complement to the rich, hearty taste of prime rib.

This dessert is so easy to put together that you can even get the kids involved!

Here are some tips to make this work as a meal:

• Try sticking to a theme. If you serve classic mashed potatoes with your prime rib, go with a classic pumpkin pie recipe.
• If you go more experimental with your side dishes—like maybe adding thyme or rosemary to your mashed potatoes—make sure the pumpkin pie recipe goes along with that theme. For example, if you go for rosemary in your potatoes, add rosemary to your pumpkin pie as well.
• Be sure to preheat the oven before starting on the pie filling—it’ll help ensure everything is cooked through once it’s time for dinner.

5. Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a great dessert option for prime rib dinners.

It’s a rich, creamy, coffee-flavored dessert that will contrast the savoriness of your main course.

As far as desserts go, Tiramisu is pretty healthy (if you omit the sugar), so you don’t have to worry about over-indulging after a big meal.

Here are some tips on how to make this work as an accompaniment to your prime rib dinner:

• Make sure that your tiramisu’s coffee component is very strong. That way it will stand up to the savory flavors of your meat and side dishes.
• Include some sweet elements in your tiramisu like chocolate shavings, bananas, or caramel. That way you can make it taste sweeter without having to add more sugar.

6. Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a great option because it isn’t too sweet, it’s rich, and it’s light enough to leave you feeling content at the end of the meal.

If you’ve never made cheesecake before, don’t worry!

It’s easier than you think (and now there are lots of recipes online).

Here’s how to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all crust ingredients in a bowl and mix until you have a crumbly dough.
3. Press the dough into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure you cover all the sides evenly. Poke holes in the bottom of the crust with a fork. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown, then set aside to cool.
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and beat after each addition until well combined. Pour mixture into cooled pie crust and bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is set but still slightly wobbly (this will help prevent cracking).
5. Cool on rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving!

7. Apple Pie

Apple pie is a classic dessert that pairs beautifully with prime rib.

You can serve it as an à la mode or all by itself.

The spices in an apple pie complement the beefy flavor of prime rib, and the sweetness cuts through the heaviness of a big meal perfectly.

Apple pie also feels like a home-cooked comfort food—the perfect way to finish off your holiday meal.

Want to make this work as a meal?

Here are some tips:

• Add some caramel to your pie for extra flavor
• Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
• Pair with a bold red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 4 apples
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup cinnamon
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup of water

Preparation method:

1. Peel the four apples and cut them into thin slices.
2. In a bowl, pour the flour and make a hole in the center. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and water to the hole and mix until it is homogeneous. The dough should not be too thin or too thick.
3. Cover the apple slices with a little more flour and then dip them in the dough so that they are well covered.
4. Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the apples until they are golden brown. Serve them warm on a plate with some ice cream on top.

8. Red Velvet Cupcake

Red velvet cupcake seems like a strange thing to have with prime rib, but they actually pair surprisingly well together.

See Also: 19 Frosting Ideas for Chocolate Cupcakes

The buttery richness of the red velvet cupcake provides a nice balance to the bold flavors of the prime rib, and the creaminess of the frosting on top makes it almost like a cheesecake.

1. To serve these two things as a meal, start by getting ready to make your red velvet cupcakes.
2. Then put your prime rib in the oven so it is ready when you need it.
3. Next, start making your red velvet cupcakes.
4. When those are in the oven, pull out the prime rib and let it rest.
5. Once your cupcakes are done cooking, take them out of the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes before eating them.

You can use this time to slice up your prime rib and enjoy both!

9. Chocolate Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

Chocolate pudding with salted caramel sauce is the perfect complement to prime rib. Not only does it serve as a foil for the rich flavor of the meat, but it’s also incredibly easy to make.

To make the pudding:

1. Combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of cornstarch in a medium saucepan.

2. Whisk in 2 cups of milk until completely smooth. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened (about 7 minutes). Remove from heat.

3. Add 8 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips and stir them in until melted and smooth (about 3 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and stir to combine.

4. Pour into individual serving dishes or one large bowl, cover with plastic wrap (touching the surface), and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

10. Key Lime Pie

While some people might think that the tartness of this dessert would not pair well with the savory flavors of prime rib, I believe that you should serve this dessert because it’s a perfect accompaniment for the classic flavors of beef and red wine, which is what most people eat with prime rib.

If you are concerned about how to serve these two things together in one meal, I recommend serving them as separate courses: have your prime rib first, then serve your key lime pie after.

Try this recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 can condensed milk (14oz)
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup key lime juice
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 1 ready-made graham cracker crust

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F (176C)
2. Mix condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice and zest in a bowl until combined
3. Pour into crust and bake for 15 minutes
4. Allow to cool before serving.

Enjoy!

11. Strawberry Shortcake

If you’re looking for a dessert that pairs well with prime rib, look no further than strawberry shortcake!

This versatile dessert is the perfect way to tie together a meal that’s savory and sweet. You can easily prep it either the night before or on the day of, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time. And it’s easy to put together, so you don’t have to stress about spending hours in the kitchen.

You can either go with a traditional strawberry shortcake recipe (if you want to keep things simple) or experiment more with different recipes (if you want to get creative). Either way, this is a great option for an end-of-the-meal treat.

12. Creme brulee

This decadent dessert is a great match for prime rib because it’s sweet without being too heavy, and it has a rich, creamy texture that suits the meaty flavor of the prime rib perfectly.

There are other benefits as well:

Creme brulee is easy to make, and you can use a blowtorch to caramelize the top, which looks really impressive and will delight your guests.

If you’re worried about whether this will work as part of your dinner menu, here are some tips:

• Serve smaller portions of your main course so you have room for dessert.
• Make sure to have at least one salad or side dish with lighter flavors to balance out the richer meat and dessert courses.
• Crème brûlée doesn’t need to be served immediately after dinner — if you’d prefer to eat it later, let your guests know in advance so they can save room!

If this sounds like the perfect end for your meal, here are our favorite recipes for crème brûlée:

• Vanilla Crème Brûlée
• Ultimate crème brûlée
• Easy Crème Brûlée

13. Fruit tarts (all kinds!)

At first, it might seem like fruit tarts are a strange dessert to serve with prime rib.

But we’re here to show you how you can make this a perfect pair!

First, fruit tarts have the benefit of being relatively light in flavor.

That way, you can end your meal on a sweet note without overloading your guests’ palates.

Second, fruit tarts offer just the right amount of richness to balance out the savory flavors and meats of your main course.

And lastly, fruit tarts look beautiful on the table and are not difficult to prepare.

To make sure this dessert pairs perfectly with prime rib, here are a few tips:

• Be sure to pick a tart recipe that uses neutral ingredients like pastry cream or almond paste. This will help the sweetness of your tart play well with the flavors of the meat.
• Try garnishing your tart with fresh herbs like mint or rosemary for an added pop of flavor.
• If you want extra texture on top of your tart, try adding some meringue or whipped cream to the top of each one before serving.

Below are some recipes—try them all and let us know which one is your favorite!

• Classic French Fruit Tart
• Fruit Tart With Pastry Cream Filling
• Mini Fruit Tarts with Vanilla Pastry Cream
• Rustic Fruit Tarts

14. Caramel flan

Flan is one of those desserts that tastes almost too good to be true.

With its smooth, velvety texture and rich, sweet flavors—all set off with just the right amount of tartness—it’s a dessert that works well as an accompaniment to prime rib, but can also stand alone as the star of its own show.

It’s rich enough on its own so you don’t have to add more sugar or cream, but it also doesn’t overpower prime rib if you choose to serve them together.

When it comes to recipes, there are so many ways to do flan!

You can try flan with coconut milk or almond milk if you want to take it vegan.

You can even make your own caramel at home with just three ingredients—sugar, water, and lemon juice!

Here are some amazing recipes you can try:

• Creamy Caramel Flan
• Classic French Crème Caramel
• Easy Caramel Flan

Here’s a great video explaining how to make caramel flan:

15. Blackberry cobbler

When serving a prime rib dinner as a main dish, you want something light and easy to digest as a dessert.

Blackberry cobbler is sweet and delicious, but also easy on your stomach and mouthwatering in flavor.

How do you make this work as a meal?

Start off with a soup or salad course.

Then, serve your prime rib with some delicious sides: roasted baby potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes both go really well here.

Finally, serve the blackberry cobbler for dessert (with fresh whipped cream).

Sounds tasty, right?

Here are some recipes you can use to make this dessert:

• The Pioneer Women’s Blackberry Cobbler
• Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler
• Easy Blackberry Cobbler

16. Peach cobbler

Peach cobbler is a great option for ending your meal with a sweet treat.

Peach cobbler has a light, airy texture that makes it easy to eat after you’ve indulged in a heavy meal like prime rib roast with all the fixings!

To keep things balanced between savory and sweet flavors, try serving this dessert alongside some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (or both!).

If you’re looking for something more decadent than just plain sugar cookies or brownies, then consider making your own peach crisp instead – it’s much easier than baking anything from scratch!

Here are our top three reasons why peach cobbler is a great choice for your next dinner party.

• First, it’s creamy and delicious without being overly sweet. That makes it a perfect way to finish a meal that ends with a hearty, savory course like prime rib. This way, you won’t  have to worry about overwhelming your guests’ palates with too much sweetness as the meal progresses.
• Second, peach cobbler is easy to make ahead of time. While most people think of it as a last-minute dessert baked fresh from the oven, making it in advance can actually really help your dinner party go more smoothly! It’s easy to prepare the peaches and custard in advance, then just pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve dessert!
• Third, we’ve got some amazing recipes that will make this dessert a hit with everyone at your dinner table.

Take a look at these:

• Easy Peach Cobbler
• Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler
• Classic Bisquick Peach Cobbler

17. Lemon Meringue Pie

You won’t go wrong with lemon meringue pie.

It goes well with beef, it’s typically seen as a “special occasion” treat. and it’s the perfect way to wrap up your meal.

Here are some tips on how to make this work as a meal:

• Serve a light starter—maybe something like steamed shrimp or crab cakes—alongside your prime rib and follow that up with some freshly baked bread or rolls.
• Then finish things off with a slice of lemon meringue pie for each guest.

If you’re looking for some delicious recipes for this meal, here are links to two of my favorites:

• Grandma’s Lemon Meringue Pie
• Martha’s Lemon Meringue Pie

18. Rice pudding

Not only is rice pudding a delicious treat, it’s also versatile enough to pair well with the rich, savory flavors of prime rib.

And while you may think of rice pudding as a plain, boring side dish, there are plenty of creative ways to make this dish a delightful dessert experience.

What should you know before making rice pudding?

The appeal of rice pudding lies in its simplicity: it’s basically just milk and rice, flavored with vanilla and sugar.

But if you want to spice up your dessert options at the end of your prime rib meal, you can take your rice pudding in any number of directions—especially if you start with a more complex flavor profile from the beginning.

Incorporating cinnamon or nutmeg into your recipe will give your pudding an earthy, spicy taste that complements the richness of your prime rib courses perfectly.

Or use cardamom to bring out the sweetness in your meal—or opt for something more exotic like saffron for an intense floral flavor.

If you want to avoid changing the texture too much, consider adding dried fruit like raisins and apricots.

If you’re looking for different recipes to try, check out these:

• Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding
• Extra Creamy Rice Pudding
• Grandma’s Rice Pudding

19. Churros

There are few better meals than a hearty prime rib dinner, but sometimes that meal needs the perfect dessert to tie it all together.

And nothing does the trick like churros, which can be served in a variety of ways to create a delectable end to your meal.

Churros are not only an interesting way to mix up your dessert routine, they’re also incredibly easy to serve as an accompaniment to prime rib. And since they’re so versatile, you can make them fit into any sort of meal plan—whether you’re looking for something healthy or decadent.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

• Try out pairing different types of churros with different sauces. The combination of savory and sweet flavors is a great way to play with your food—and you can even do so in a healthy way.
• You can make churros from scratch or buy them at the store. Either way, they’ll be delicious!
• Try serving some churros with whipped cream or ice cream for an extra decadent treat.

Check out these tasty recipes:

• Easy Homemade Churros
• The perfect churros
• Authentic Churros Recipe with Chocolate Sauce

20. Fresh Fruit Salad Topped with Sorbet or Ice Cream

I like to serve fresh fruit salad topped with sorbet or ice cream.

Not only is it easy to make and refreshing, it’s a good balance to the rich flavor of prime rib.

Here are some tips for making it work as a main course:

• First, make sure you’re serving a big enough portion of prime rib so that people will be satisfied without needing dessert right away. You want them to have room left in their stomachs for something sweet!
• Also, make sure you have plenty of bread on hand to soak up any leftover juice from the meat. That way, people won’t fill up on bread when they’re still hungry for more food.
• Finally, make sure you have enough wine or other drinks to pair with your meal. It’s important that everyone has enough liquid in their system before having dessert!

Here are three delicious recipes:

• Easy Fruit Salad Sorbet Recipe
• Lime sorbet splice with mojito fruit salad
• Orange Sorbet With Blood Orange Salad

21. Apple Crisp

Prime rib is rich and fatty, and with a little bit of salt, it’s a meal that begs for something sweet at the end.

But you don’t want just any old dessert—you need one that can stand up to such deliciousness!

Apple crisp is both sweet AND buttery, and it has the perfect texture to complement the softness of your prime rib.

A lot of people think apple crisp is only good hot out of the oven, but we’ve got some tips and tricks that will make this dish work even if you didn’t have time to bake it up fresh:

• Heat up your store-bought apple crisp in a skillet on medium heat (it’ll take about 10 minutes).
• Add some sliced almonds on top while it’s heating up to give it extra crunch.
• Get yourself some vanilla ice cream, and sprinkle it with cinnamon right before serving.

And here are some delicious recipes:

• Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp
• The Best Apple Crisp
• Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

22. Rich chocolate torte

There’s no better time to impress your guests than at the end of a meal, with something sweet and delicious.

And what better dessert to pair with your prime rib dinner than a rich chocolate torte?

It’s decadent, it’s easy to make, and it’ll leave you feeling satisfied without being stuffed.

Here are a few tips on how to serve it:

• You can make this dessert ahead of time so that you have one less thing to worry about on the day of your party. Just be sure to let it cool before serving.
• If you’re looking for something more decadent than traditional chocolate tortes, try adding some whipped cream or chocolate sauce on top!
• This dessert works well as an after dinner treat or even as an accompaniment to your main course—just garnish each plate with a slice of torte before serving so everyone gets their own piece.

Need some recipes? Try these:

• Flourless Chocolate Torte
• Easy Chocolate Torte
• Dark Chocolate Torte with Spiked Blackberry Coulis

23. Angel food cake

Angel food cake is a classic dessert that pairs perfectly with prime rib.

It can be made at home or purchased from the bakery section of your grocery store, making it a great option for any home chef looking for an easy way to finish off their meal.

Here are some tips for serving angel food cake:

• Add fruit – Try topping the cake with fresh berries or slices of peaches, nectarines, or plums. You can also stir in some fruit juice or extract to give it a more subtle fruity flavor.
• Make sure it’s light and fluffy – Angel food cakes should be airy and light, so don’t pack them down when baking them!
• Don’t overdo it on the toppings – It’s easy to go overboard with frosting, sprinkles, and other decorations. Keep things simple so they complement instead of overpowering your main course.

Try one of our favorite recipes:

• Best Angel Food Cake
• Effortless Angel Food Cake Recipe
• Angel food cake with lemon curd

4 Reasons to Serve A Dessert with A Prime Rib Dinner

Some people might wonder if serving a dessert with a prime rib dinner is overkill.

After all, prime rib is such an indulgent entree—is it even possible to eat something else after that?

Well, the answer is yes! And here’s why:

1. To Balance the Rich Flavor of A Prime Rib 

Dessert is all about balance—the rich, hearty flavors of your dinner call for a delicate and light dessert to round out the meal.

A prime rib dinner will get your mouth watering with its juicy cut of meat and rich, meaty flavor.

That’s why, when it comes to dessert after a prime rib dinner, you need something simple and sweet that won’t overpower your palate.

2. Leave Guests Feeling Satisfied and Happy

Whether it’s a birthday dinner or just a friendly get-together, dessert can be the perfect thing to send people off with a smile on their face.

That’s why, if you’re serving prime rib, you should make sure you have something sweet prepared to go along with it!

It’s such a special treat that your guests will be talking about the meal for weeks.

3. To Incorporate Seasonal Flavors Into Your Menu

A delicious dessert can be a great way to incorporate seasonal flavors into your menu.

Think about it: if you’re serving a prime rib dinner in December, chances are you’ve got some cinnamon and nutmeg lying around.

Why not put those flavors to good use in a cake?

And if you really want to show off, add some of your favorite chocolate to your mix—we all know chocolate and cinnamon go together like peanut butter and jelly.

4. A Dessert Can Offer a Slightly Different Texture

Dessert isn’t just about giving you something to look forward to.

It can provide a nice contrast in your meal.

Without it, you might end up feeling overwhelmed by the richness of the meat.

A dessert can give you a slightly different texture that you’ll really appreciate after eating such an indulgent meal.

This doesn’t mean that dessert has to be complicated or unhealthy.

You can make a simple, healthy dessert like fresh fruit or sorbet without much effort at all.