Quick Answer
A single Publix petit four contains approximately 80 calories. The number of calories can vary slightly depending on the specific flavor. Petit fours from Publix are small, bite-sized desserts that come in different flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and fruit. They are made with ingredients like flour, butter, eggs, sugar, chocolate, fruits, and nuts. Given their small size, one petit four makes for a decadent mini-indulgence without too big of a calorie hit.
Calorie Count for Different Publix Petit Four Flavors
Chocolate Petit Fours
The chocolate petit fours from Publix contain about 80 calories per piece. They are made with a chocolate cake-like base and enrobed in a layer of creamy chocolate ganache or chocolate buttercream frosting. Given the chocolate components, these petit fours tend to be higher in calories than non-chocolate options. However, the rich chocolate taste makes them a popular choice for chocolate lovers.
Vanilla Petit Fours
Vanilla petit fours from Publix have approximately 70 calories each. They feature a vanilla cake or sponge cake base topped with vanilla buttercream or vanilla ganache. The lack of chocolate provides a slight calorie saving over the chocolate version. But they still pack a decadent vanilla flavor punch.
Fruit Petit Fours
Fruit flavored petit fours range from 60-70 calories at Publix. Options like lemon, raspberry, and strawberry are made with fruit purees and jams mixed into the cake batter and frosting. The fruit additions add sweetness with slightly less calories than chocolate or vanilla versions.
Nut Petit Fours
Publix offers petit fours with nuts like almonds and hazelnuts. These tend to contain around 75 calories each. Nuts add crunch and texture, as well as nutrients like protein and healthy fats. But they also add additional calories.
Serving Size Matters
While one petit four is only around 70-80 calories, the calories can add up if you eat multiple pieces. Consuming two chocolate petit fours would be 160 calories, and three would be 240 calories. It’s smart to enjoy petit fours in moderation as part of a balanced diet. If watching your calorie intake, limit yourself to one or two pieces.
Nutrition Facts for Publix Petit Fours
Here is the nutrition information for a 1-piece serving of Publix petit fours:
Chocolate petit four
| Nutrition Facts | 1 piece |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 |
| Total Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 35mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 11g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Protein | 1g |
Vanilla petit four
| Nutrition Facts | 1 piece |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 3.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 30mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Protein | 1g |
Ingredients in Publix Petit Fours
Publix petit fours are made with the following main ingredients:
For the cake base:
- Flour – provides structure and texture
- Butter – adds moisture and rich flavor
- Eggs – help bind the ingredients together
- Sugar – sweetens the cake
- Flavorings like cocoa powder, fruit purees, etc. depending on variety
- Leavening agents like baking powder cause rising
For the frosting and glazes:
- Butter – contributes creamy texture
- Powdered sugar – sweetens the frosting
- Chocolate – used for chocolate ganache or buttercream
- Fruit preserves – add fruit flavors
- Extracts like vanilla or almond for flavoring
- Milk or cream – helps achieve smooth, spreadable consistency
Additional toppings:
- Chopped nuts like hazelnuts or almonds
- Shaved chocolate
- Decorative sugar crystals
The exact ratios and types of ingredients vary depending on the specific petit four flavor. But in general, petit fours achieve their cake-like texture from the flour, eggs, butter, and leavening agents. Sugars and flavorings like chocolate or fruit purees provide sweetness and taste. And frostings and glazes add decorative finishes and decadence.
Steps for Making Petit Fours
While you can easily grab petit fours at the Publix bakery, you can also make them at home with some time and effort. Here is an overview of the petit four creation process:
Step 1: Prepare the cake base
Petit four cakes start with a basic sponge cake or cake-like batter. Cream together butter and sugar first, then mix in eggs, flour, flavorings, leavening agents, and any liquids. The batter should be thick enough to pipe.
Step 2: Pipe batter into shapes
Use a piping bag to pipe the batter into small rounds or squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This gives them their cute petite shapes.
Step 3: Bake the cakes
Bake the piped batter at around 350°F until lightly golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Step 4: Make fillings and frostings
Whip up your choice of buttercream, ganache, or jam-based fillings and frostings. Flavor them as desired, like chocolate or vanilla.
Step 5: Assemble the petit fours
Trim the cooled cakes into uniform squares or rounds if needed. Use a thin layer of filling in between cake layers. Crumb coat and frost the outside.
Step 6: Finish with decorations
Add any final embellishments like chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or decorative sugar crystals.
Tips for Making Petit Fours
- Chill the baked cake rounds before assembling to make frosting easier.
- Use an offset spatula for an even frosting coat.
- Refrigerate assembled petit fours for 30 minutes before decorating to set the frosting.
- Work quickly while frosting to keep the frosting from setting before you assemble.
- Use candy melts instead of chocolate for easier decorating.
- Serve petit fours within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture.
Following basic cake decorating techniques will help you achieve bakery-worthy petit fours. With the right recipes and some practice, you can make these tiny treats at home.
Where to Buy Publix Petit Fours
Publix petit fours are available for purchase exclusively in Publix bakery departments. Most locations offer petit fours among their wide selection of cakes and pastries. You can typically find them pre-packaged in clear plastic containers or white bakery boxes.
Here are some tips for finding petit fours at your local Publix:
- Check the bakery counter display case – petit fours are often showcased front and center.
- Look in the refrigerated bakery case – some stores keep them chilled.
- Ask a bakery staff member for assistance.
- Special order them in advance if you don’t see them in stock.
- Peak holiday seasons like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day are popular times to buy them.
- Visit the Publix Bakery page on the website to see if your store has them.
Publix offers seasonal petit four varieties around different holidays like heart-shaped ones for Valentine’s Day and pumpkin spice in the fall. So the selection changes throughout the year. Call your local store bakery to check availability if you don’t see your desired flavor.
How Long Do Publix Petit Fours Last?
When stored properly, Publix petit fours typically last:
- 1 week – If kept refrigerated. The lower temperature helps preserve freshness.
- 2-3 days – If left at room temperature. The frosting and fillings can start to break down.
- 2-3 months – If frozen in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Keeping them in their original packaging or an airtight container protects petit fours from drying out. Wrap leftovers tightly and avoid temperature fluctuations. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life for up to a week. Freezing lets you save leftovers for months.
Watch for signs of spoilage before eating petit fours past their prime:
- Hard, cracked, or dried out frosting
- Stale, crumbling cake
- Mold growth
- Off odors
Discard any petit fours showing these types of deteriorations, even if not expired. For maximum freshness, enjoy Publix petit fours within a day or two of purchase. Their quality crafted ingredients make them worth savoring when still at peak texture and flavor.
Publix Petit Four Health Considerations
While petit fours make for an elegant indulgence, they are a treat best enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Here are some health and nutrition factors to keep in mind:
- High in sugar and calories – Petit fours contain refined sugars from ingredients like frosting, jams, and glazes. The calories can add up quickly if you eat more than one.
- Low in nutrients – The flour and sugar provide carbohydrate calories, but petit fours lack much nutritional value. They don’t offer much in the way of protein, vitamins, or minerals.
- Allergies – Those with food allergies should check the ingredients carefully as petit fours contain common allergens like dairy, eggs, wheat, nuts, and soy.
- Dietary restrictions – The carbohydrate-heavy nature may not suit low-carb diets. And they typically aren’t gluten-free.
Health experts recommend limiting added sugar intake to no more than 6 teaspoons or 25 grams per day for women and 9 teaspoons or 36 grams for men. Just two 2-inch square petit fours could contain around 14 grams of added sugar.
While fine for occasional treats, petit fours should not be everyday snacks. Enjoy them in small portions along with more nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Check the nutrition label and ingredients to fit petit fours into your dietary needs or restrictions. For those monitoring sugar and calories, just one mini cake can satisfy a craving without overdoing it.
Petit Four Alternatives
If you’re looking for ways to lighten up petit fours, consider these lower-calorie and more nutritious alternatives:
Fresh Fruit Tartlets
Make mini tart crusts and fill them with fresh fruit like berries or stone fruits for a naturally sweet dessert.
Angel Food Cake Bites
Use angel food cake dipped in chocolate for a lighter take on cake pops.
Meringues
These light, airy cookies made from whipped egg whites provide sweetness without extra fat or dairy.
Macarons
French almond flour and egg white macarons have fewer calories than rich petit fours.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Dip berry bottoms in melted chocolate for a fresh and fruity dessert.
Frozen Yogurt Drops
Scoop nonfat yogurt into mini muffin cups and freeze for healthy frozen treats.
With some creativity, you can recreate the elegant experience of petit fours in more nutritious ways to enjoy without overindulging.
Conclusion
Petit fours from Publix offer decadent tiny cakes in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, fruit, and nuts. A single petit four contains around 70-80 calories, depending on the variety. While fine for occasional enjoyment, keep portion sizes modest. Publix petit fours stay fresh for 1-2 weeks refrigerated or 2-3 months frozen. Check Publix bakeries for availability. Opt for fresh fruit or lower-calorie treats if trying to limit sugar. Overall, petit fours can be part of balanced eating with care taken not to overindulge. Savor just one or two at a time to satisfy your craving.
