Eye Candy

The dessert bar is definitely the icing on the cake at weddings and parties. We all love being the kid in the candy store. This year, we are evolving the dessert bar with some new additions making it that much sweeter!

We aren’t saying bye-bye to the cupcake. That trend is now a staple. Just like skinny jeans in your closet, it is standard faire. Here are our trendy, taste worthy and delectable dessert ideas for 2011.

Staging the bar: even from afar, a great dessert bar must be eye candy your guests! Work off your wedding color palette. Colors can be incorporated into banners, name cards, flowers, cake stands, platters and if possible the dessert themselves. Beware not to force the colors. Bright green donuts might be a little too much, however, light green macaroons are delightfully tempting. Go with the aesthetic of your theme; clean lines and bold colors work well for a modern wedding while the use of wood may lend itself to rustic themes. Achieve a cohesive display by using no more than 3 major colors. Shades of those colors can also be incorporated into the palette.

#1 Woopie Pies! Everyone loves these tiny Oreo like chocolate cakes sandwiching butter cream frosting. Variations can be made with flavor and coloring. These are just irresistible when served with small cartons or milk shooters!

#2 Donuts. They are sinfully good and oh so indulgent. Donuts are just that late night snack! Dynamo Donuts fries some incredible flavors such as their bacon maple glazed donut! Serve with milk and/or coffee or even better yet an affogato! Donuts can also play a part in the main event and be assembled like a croquembouche!

# 3 Ice cream – old fashioned ice cream stands serving your favorite selections are bound to be a hit. We also love the idea of fruity and artisanal flavored popsicles that are appealing both to the eyes and mouths! In particular, Pop Bar is serving up some gorgeous gelatos on a stick. Not only are the flavors to die for the popsicles are beyond beautiful! You can even create one uniquely yours! If that isn’t laid back enough for you try ice cream sandwiches or ice cream woopie pies!

#4 Candy Floss. This airy dessert brings a whimsical and playful feel to the wedding. Its sweet and can be served on a stick or in a cone. To arrange place sticks into jars filled with candy to prop it up.

#5 “Homemade” Piettes! These sweet mini pies are rustic and fruity! Their homemade feel really have a nice touch of love. Help decorate with sweet saying such as “sweetie pie”! Nothing takes you back down memory land like a baked pie-in-a-jars. Just adorable!

#6 Pops! Lolly pops move over! Cake pops are artistic, cute and delish! Especially the inspiring little fellas from bakerella.com! You could also bring these pops to life in a photo booth or just have run with pops shaped as moustaches and lips! Everyone can remember begging for their first candied apple! For a more sophisticated look, use tiny crab apples that are less cumbersome and irresistibly cute!

#7 Ol’ Fashioned Soda Fountain drinks and floats! Bring back some good old favorites like Bubble Up and some new fizzies! Izze has a great range of fresh and fruity colors. Display with some colorful straws in an old fashioned straw dispenser. Root beer floats are a favorite or take a modern spin with champagne and sorbet floats.

#8 Touch and Taste! Get guests involved by having a hand in making their own one of a kind dessert. Simply accomplished with personal candy bags or topping their own ice creams!

Here’s to starting a new beginning and ending the party on sweet note!

Tags: "cake pops", "candy bar", "dessert buffet", "whoopie pie", Decor, desserts, favors, macaroons, original