The Must Haves Needed To Start A Dessert Shop

Starting a dessert shop is an exciting venture. Whether you’re dreaming of serving waffles loaded with toppings, freshly made crêpes, or rich melted chocolate over strawberries, the possibilities are endless. But when it comes to getting started, one of the most common questions we get asked is — what do I actually need? At Sephra, we’ve helped countless businesses launch and grow in the dessert industry. From independent kiosks to large-scale operations, we’ve seen what works — and what can quickly become costly if not planned right.

So if you're wondering where to begin, here are the key things you’ll need to set up a successful dessert shop, including our top equipment recommendations and ingredients that keep customers coming back.

Your 3 Essential Dessert Equipment Must-Haves

Investing in the right equipment is the first step to making your dessert shop efficient, reliable, and capable of delivering quality products every time. Here are three core pieces we recommend for almost any dessert setup:

1. Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker

A professional waffle maker is non-negotiable if waffles are on your menu. The Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker is designed specifically for commercial use. It’s robust, easy to clean, and delivers perfectly cooked waffles every time.

Why it’s essential:

• Makes deep-pocket Belgian waffles that hold toppings beautifully
• Ideal for quick service — cooks in minutes
• Built to last in high-demand environments
• Audible timer, meaning you can get on with serving other customers while your waffle cooks and be notified when it's ready
• Non-stick plates make the machine easy to work with and clean

Top Tip: Pair with our Sephra Waffle and Pancake Mix for consistency. It’s a time-saver and a customer favorite.

2. Sephra Commercial Crêpe Maker

Crêpes are a versatile and profitable dessert choice. With the Sephra Commercial Crêpe Maker, you can create sweet or savory offerings, keeping your menu versatile and your margins healthy.

Why it’s essential:

• Quick heating with precise temperature control
• Smooth, non-stick surface for easy crêpe turning
• Works well in both kitchen and front-of-house settings
• Designed for high-demand environment with a robust cast-iron cooking surface which ensures superior heat distribution
• Long-lasting durability and ease of maintenance

3. Sephra Triple Bottle Warmer

Presentation and ease of service are key in the dessert world. Our Triple Bottle Warmer helps keep sauces at the perfect temperature — ready to pour, drizzle, or layer.

Why it’s essential:

• Keeps sauces fluid and easy to serve
• Melts chocolate easily so it can be served as a sauce
• Helps speed up service
• Prevents waste and maintains product quality

Part 2: 5 Key Ingredients to Build Your Menu

Now that your equipment is sorted, let’s talk ingredients. Here are five staple items we recommend for any new dessert shop. These aren’t just bestsellers — they’re essentials that give you versatility, value, and crowd-pleasing results.

1. Sephra Waffle and Pancake Mix

A reliable mix is the backbone of any waffle or pancake-based dessert. Our Sephra Waffle and Pancake Mix is easy to use and delivers consistently delicious results.

Why it’s essential:

• Just add water — no eggs or milk needed
• Light texture and golden color every time
• Great for fluffy waffles and American-style pancakes
• Delicious, sweet flavor
• Cost-effective allowing for excellent margins
• Pancakes cost as little as 11p and a Belgian-style waffle costing as little as 22p

2. Sephra Crêpe Mix

For a light, golden crêpe with just the right amount of chew, our Sephra Crêpe Mix is a go-to product. It simplifies prep and maintains excellent quality.

Why it’s essential:

• Quick to prepare and easy to portion
• Works well with both sweet and savory fillings
• Helps cut down on labor and training time
• Consistent, delicious results with minimal effort
• Add water only, no other ingredients required

3. Selection of Sephra Topping Sauces

Topping sauces are where you can get creative — and add revenue. Whether you’re drizzling over waffles, layering into sundaes, or finishing milkshakes, our range of Sephra Topping Sauces adds color and flavor to your desserts.

Why they’re essential:

• Available in over 18 flavors (including Raspberry, Strawberry, Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate & Hazelnut and more)
• Can be served cold and warm
• Premium quality sauces — some are used by chefs as fruit coulis over desserts such as cheesecake
• Can be used across various applications, such as milkshakes, smoothies, hot drinks, over desserts, over cakes and so much more
• Supplied in a 1kg squeezable bottle
• Non-drip cap and resealable lid

4. Sephra Belgian Chocolate

What's a dessert shop without luxury chocolate? We wouldn’t recommend it. Our Sephra Belgian Chocolate is specially formulated for melting and pouring, making it ideal for chocolate fountains, dipping, or hot desserts.

Why it’s essential:

• Available in milk, dark, and white varieties
• Excellent flow and shine when melted
• Crafted in Belgium, known for its high-quality chocolate production
• Finest ingredients create a silky-smooth delicious flavor

Budget Tip: We also offer a more cost-effective couverture blend which combines 50/50 Sephra Belgian Chocolate with Sephra Melts, delivering excellent results while helping manage margins.

5. Nutella

No dessert menu is truly complete without Nutella. It’s one of the most requested additions to crêpes, waffles, and pancakes — and it’s a brand customers know and love.

Why it’s essential:

• Universal customer appeal
• Works well hot or cold
• Available in large catering tubs for high-volume use

FAQs: What Else Do I Need to Know?

Do I need a chocolate fountain to start a dessert shop?

Not necessarily. Chocolate fountains can be a great addition for events or front-of-house theatre, but they’re not a must-have for your initial setup. Start with core products, and add as demand grows.

Can I serve all desserts from a small kiosk or trailer?

Yes! Waffle and crêpe setups are compact and can be fully operational in small spaces. Many of our customers run successful dessert stands at events, markets, or food trucks with just these essentials.

How many toppings should I start with?

We recommend starting with 4–6 topping sauces, plus Nutella. That gives you enough variety to create exciting combinations without overcomplicating stock management.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Scale Smart.

Starting a dessert shop doesn’t have to mean buying everything at once. With just a few core pieces of equipment and a solid selection of ingredients, you can launch a menu that’s easy to manage, fun to customize, and quick to serve.

At Sephra, we’re here to help you build a dessert business that works from day one. From expert advice to quality products, we’ve got everything you need to get started and grow with confidence.

Looking for more guidance or want to talk through your setup? We’d be happy to help. Visit www.sephra.com or get in touch with our team today via email info@sephra.com or phone on 01592 656737.