Looking for some creative treats to make for / with the kids this Easter? Here are 6 great ideas via Martha Stewart and Country Living.

Recipes and Directions { Spring Chic Cakes, Bird’s Nest Cookies, Marshmallow Bunnies, Crunchy Critters, Sugar Cookie Bunnies, Butterfly Cupcakes. }

Here’s a fun selection of irresistably pretty valentine pops {cake pops, marshmallow pops, cookie pops}, which would be perfect for the kids to take to their valentine’s class parties, or to give as valentines to their friends and teachers. They’re generally easy to make, and would make fun little valentines projects to do with the kids.

And here’s a great example of how to package them, and make them look even prettier.

Learn how to make them here: heart shaped cookies pops, pillsbury valentine cookie pops, chocolate cookie pops, chocolate cheesecake pops, hello kitty cake pops, pink valentine cake pops, valentine heart cookie pops, strawberry dipped marshmallow pops, valentine sugar cookie pops.          

If you’re a regular reader, you know how much I love cupcakes, & I’m loving this new orange chocolate flavour from Crumbs & Doillies…umm yummy!

How cute are these…cupcake Kebabs! I found them on Cupcakes Take The Cake, a yummy creation for their third annual cupcake picnic. Made with mini cupcakes, wafers & marshmallows.  I can see these being a hit at a baby shower, or an outdoor party, and kids would love them too! Take a look at Cupcakes Take The Cake, there’s a video tutorial on how to make these. Fun!

Paper cones are super easy & inexpensive to make, and they’re adaptable to any theme. You can simply choose decorative paper or even gift paper to co-ordinate with your theme or colour scheme, and create a stunning display. You can fill up the cones with all kinds of yummy treats. What a lovely way to dress up plain old popcorn, as in the display above, created by Amy Atlas.

You can fill them up with lovely candy, as in this Martha Stewart display.

Or caramel popcorn as in this display by Hostess with the Mostess. The possibilities are endless!

What You Need To Make Them

• decorative paper / gift paper of your choice
• clear tape
• glue stick
• scissors

Method

1. Cut a circle out of your paper (using a compass or any circular object to draw the shape)
2. Cut out a triangle about 1/4 of the circle, as shown in the diagram above
3. Fold the circle, overlapping the edges. Make sure to leave a small hole in the bottom of the cone
4. Tape the edges together on the inside & use a bit of glue on the outside to get the edges to lie flat

Or you can download a template from Hostess With The Mostess & omit steps 1 & 2.

For The Display

You Need

• lollipop sticks
• craft styrofoam sheets (1 inch thick)
• treats to fill your cones
• shallow tray / vase / container
• candy / treats to cover styrofoam

 To Create Display

1. Cut a piece of styrofoam sheet to fit securely in the bottom of your tray / vase / container.
2. Place the styrofoam sheet in the tray, then insert the lollipop sticks into the foam, leaving a few inches in between the sticks to fit the cones.
3. Pour candy, popcorn, or your chosen treat over the styrofoam until it is completely covered.
4. Fill your paper cones with your chosen treat, then slide them over the lollipop sticks through the hole in the bottom.

Enjoy your lovely display & send us pictures!

Buffets are fabulous at parties. The food is all laid out, guests can serve themselves, and the hostess can enjoy the party like everyone else without having to rush back & forth serving everything. Ice cream buffets, candy buffets & varied dessert buffets are popular, but why not try a cookie buffet at your next party? This would be really great if you’re planning a party for someone who loves cookies…and who doesn’t? 

Choose an assortment of your favorite cookies, and pretty them up for your display. Note how these cookies are displayed, the ribbon details on the labels & the serving tongs. You can very easily tailor your buffet to suit your theme or colour scheme, using baskets, trays, or fancy dishes to display your cookies, and dressing up your buffet with ribbons, flowers & decorative labels, or whatever else you dream up!

I love this buffet idea! For more pictures & details, go to Bashful Events.

This week’s cake of the week is a Fairies in dresses cupcake tower from The Cake Store. I just love how the cupcakes look like actual fairies wearing dresses. Each cupcake is filled with raspberry jam & topped with buttercream. The little fairy motifs are edible too.

A dessert buffet is a great way to display all your delicious treats at a birthday party or baby shower, and who better to get inspiration from than the talented Amy Atlas. Here are some amazing tablescapes she created, and fabulous inspiration for re-creating your own dessert buffet. 

For even more fabulous dessert buffet ideas from Amy Atlas see here.

I’m not a big fan of character parties, but my almost 2 year old daughter is in love with Charlie & Lola, and I have to say that I’m a bit of a fan myself. I’ve been on a hunt for Charlie & Lola cupcakes as her birthday is coming up at the end of this month. I must say they’re not easy to find, but these absolutely adorable ones from Crumbs & Doilies popped up, and I was delighted.  Maybe the lovely folks at Crumbs & Doilies will send us a nice sample, so that we can tell you if they taste as great as they look…we can always dream!

I love Bakerella’s cupcake cakebites, and immediately fell in love with these adorable Marshmallow pop treats created by Hostess with the Mostess.

Here’s how to make them:

For the Pink Marshmallow Pops:

You’ll need:
marshmallows
pink Candy Melts
pink M&M’s (or similar)
white nonpareils
lollipop sticks

Directions:
1. Insert the lollipop sticks into the marshmallows & set aside.

2. Melt the candy in the microwave, according to package instructions.

3. Dip each marshmallow (with stick) into the melted candy, until about ½ of the marshmallow is coated.

4. Sprinkle with nonpareils and top with a pink M&M while candy coating is still warm

For the Presentation/Display:

You’ll need:
craft styrofoam sheet – approx 1″ thick
shallow vase/container
decorative pink ribbon
pink rhinestones (optional)

Directions:
1. Measure your vase/container, and cut a piece of the styrofoam sheet to match.

2. Place the styrofoam piece in the container. (If the fit is not snug, add smaller pieces of styrofoam to close up any gaps.)

3. Pour pink M&Ms (or other candies) on top of the styrofoam until it’s completely covered.

4. Insert the finished marshmallow pops into the styrofoam, in neat rows.