Tag: candy buffet

Wedding Dessert Ideas

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In addition to the wedding cake, some couples also splurge on a Viennese table/buffet, an impressive display of assorted cookies, mini pies, pastries or fresh fruit, for dessert. Some couples even opt for a fun, colorful candy bar straight out of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” or a dessert station with gourmet cupcake towers and cookies but another great dessert option to consider is the interactive dessert station. Interactive dessert stations allow guests to get involved and actually create their own delectable desserts or watch as their desserts are created by a chef. Here are a few interactive dessert station ideas to consider that will have everyone talking well after the wedding is over.

Ice cream bar

Not just for kids’ parties, ice cream bars are a big hit with adults too! Ice cream bars are versatile and offer multiple dessert options. They can be sundae bars with lots of toppings for guests to select from like sprinkles, candy pieces, nuts, fresh fruit, flavored syrups and whipped cream. Add some fresh baked waffles, and the ice cream bar becomes a waffle and ice cream sandwich bar. Add some root beer, cola or club soda, and the ice cream bar becomes an ice cream soda station. Crazy for ice cream? Offer all of the above options. Your guests will thank you.

Bananas foster or crepes

Bananas foster is a popular New Orleans dessert that is created in a flambé pan with bananas cooked in brown sugar, butter, banana liqueur and rum and served with vanilla ice cream. The rum gets ignited during cooking, making this a showy dish that is delicious and fun to watch get made. Crepes are French pancakes that are also fun to prepare and eat. You can fill crepes with a variety of items like syrups, fresh fruit, nuts or Nutella spread and top with them with whipped cream for a sweet and satisfying dessert.

S’mores station

Who doesn’t like s’mores? Nothing brings out the little kid in you like making some s’mores. Guests can make them the old fashioned way by melting the marshmallow over a flame or electric burner and nestling the marshmallow and chocolate between two graham crackers, or for a more modern take, dip chocolate covered graham crackers in marshmallow fluff and have a server melt it all with a mini blowtorch.

Chocolate Fountain

Guests select items like pound cake, pretzel nuggets, Rice Krispies Treats, fresh fruit and marshmallows, skewer them up, and then dip them into the cascading fountain of melted chocolate. A chocolate fountain not only looks great, it tastes great too.

Fried dough

Fried dough in any form is fabulous and there are several variations on fried dough that would work well for an interactive dessert station. Perfect with a cup of coffee, there’s nothing better than freshly fried donuts rolled in sugar or cinnamon or donut holes with chocolate or caramel dipping sauces to top off the night. Zeppole, Italian deep fried dough balls covered in powdered sugar, taste great plain or filled with custard or pastry cream. Then there is the fun and more casual option of a funnel cake station. The deep fried batter is sprinkled with powdered sugar and can also include a topping of fresh fruit or jam.

Interactive dessert stations are sinfully sweet and a big hit at every wedding. Ask your caterer or reception venue if they offer interactive dessert stations, and if not, perhaps they’ll allow you to bring in an outside vendor that rents the equipment and provides the necessary supplies and servers.

Wedding Candy Buffet

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Candy buffets started to pop up around wedding receptions about three years ago and the trend is still going and growing strong!

Custom backdrops really add for some major WOW factor, too! Some couples prefer their candy to look super playful, bright and colorful while others are looking for something very chic and modern that will really surprise their guests. You can’t really go wrong with candy, desserts and sweets of any kind. This trend is simply taking things to the next level.

There is no specific theme or color scheme that works because anything goes. If you style your table correctly and balance it while incorporating great colors, textures and of course fabulous candy, you can’t go wrong.

Personalization is everything! Every event should feel unique and special, and your candy buffet or dessert bar is a fantastic way to do this. Personalized decals can be made for containers or bags; signs, labels, ribbons, bows and glitzy touches like rhinestones are always a huge hit. Cotton candy trees are always LOVED by the guests. Cotton candy on a beautiful manzanita tree with crystals or candy necklaces hanging off the branches.

It’s also nice to display a cute message, banner or sign that plays off of the candy. At weddings lots of couples like the saying, “Hugs and Kisses from the New Mr. & Mrs.” ~ you can add cute Hershey’s Kisses graphics and tie this into the theme. You can also have fun with a chocolate fountain and dyeing chocolate to match the event’s theme.

Tips for Creating a Candy Buffet :

~ Pick a theme or color scheme that will serve as direction when picking out props, candy colors and treats.
~ Locate a space that is visible to your guests, which will allow your candy buffet to be a beautiful decorative addition to your event (i.e. a foyer, existing bar or on a patio).
~ Select interesting vessels and containers for your candy. They don’t have to be the same; mix them up but make sure they all flow together. Vintage shops & thrift stores are great for finding interesting pieces.
~ Select your candy by color, and you may want to include some custom treats that are made in your color scheme or theme from a local bakery.
~ Don’t forget scoops & tongs ~ always keep it clean.
~ Provide your guests with goody bags or boxes to grab some treats as a to-go favor!

How to Make a Candy Buffet

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To begin…

-Start with a simple tablecloth that won’t detract from your buffet. Avoid super busy prints on your tablecloths.

– Do use a tablecloth unless you have a special table that corresponds with your theme!! A big mistake people make is forgetting this small but necessary step. Your eyes will be drawn to the table more if it is covered. Plus, it creates a clean canvas to design your masterpiece.

– Next, you will want to add various levels and heights to your table to avoid the look of a church potluck with dishes all in a row. To do this add different sized shoe boxes or wire racks under your tablecloth. Don’t over do it though. You can also place pretty boxes etc over the tablecloth to add height for a different effect.

– Next you will want to gather a variety of containers to hold your candy. Your choices here are crucial to success of visual appeal! In general, clear containers work best. With some decor themes, other containers like buckets or baskets fit the theme more appropriately. Choose different sizes and shapes for a fun, easy look. Or for more symmetry and evenness, stick to the same shapes.

– Pull out your creativity when arranging the containers on your table. Use your eye and your style, just be sure your table stays balanced.

– The candy selection is a super fun part. When selecting candy, choose candy with visual appeal. Avoid commercially wrapped candy. Keep your theme in mind while making your selection. Are you working on a vibrant, colorful table or are you working toward an elegant effect with only one or two colors? Both choices offer amazing tables! But it’s important to keep that in mind when candy shopping. Also, M&Ms can be purchased in almost any color in the rainbow!

– Custom labels over candy bars offer a detail on your table that will look stunning!

– Another detail that makes a statement is lollipop presentation. Buy a block of Styrofoam and wrap it with candy dots to hide the foam. Then stick the lollipops in it.

– Filler candy is fun to work with too! The lollipops will stand just right in the foam, however, the foam is still visible. Pour candy around the base to cover all the foam.

– When filling your containers, I have a big, huge money-saving tip! Once you empty a family size bag of M&Ms into a jar, you’ll realize the candy doesn’t go very far. Instead of buying more candy to fill the jar, turn empty cups upside down on the bottom of the jar then pour the candy in. It will absorb some of the space and save you a lot of cash.

– The buffet should be almost complete! The exciting part is accessorizing your table! You can add labels to the jars to embellish it and draw out your theme. You can also add ribbon to some of the jars to carry unity throughout the table. You don’t want your table to look mis-matched.

– Adding candy scoops to your table is a charming touch! Don’t forget to find goodie bags for your guests to take their treats home in. Custom stickers can be added to the bags.

– Almost done! To complete your candy buffet, add a background banner and balloons/flowers depending on your theme. You can also put the banner on or over the table instead of behind. You can also add two balloon or flower bouquets on either side of the table.

Finally, the most important tips are…

– Pay attention to the details! The details will certainly make a difference.

– Keep your theme in mind the entire time. Add or embellish your theme with everything, don’t subtract or stray from your theme.

– Be creative! You don’t need to follow directions when creating! Be unique and artistic.