One of my favorite things to do for my daughter’s birthday parties and her friends parties is to create a fun cake and dessert table. It’s a great way to celebrate your child and display all of their sweet treats beautifully.
I wanted to write down a list of things to think about when creating a cake table for your little one’s birthday. I also created this pack filled with items you can purchase and use to fill up your cake table.
General cake table design
When it comes to designing the perfect cake table, remember not to go over the top. You don’t need to have the table packed with too much that people can’t actually take things off the table, and you don’t want anything in front of the table or at the sides that would block someone from taking items.
I really love the design of the cake table featured above. It’s simple, elegant, and fits with the theme of a circus. What’s great is that this table design and execution isn’t going to be overwhelming and too much to handle. You just need a few elements, the treats and decorations and add ons.
This hot air balloon party cake table from Project Nursery is another one of my favorites, and features a lot of sweet and special touches including a picture of the birthday girl and candy treats.
Both of the cake table designs featured above aren’t too much and over the top, but also aren’t too little they’re just right and are the perfect balance of form and function.
Think about a theme
Do you want to color coordinate your table and desserts with the rest of the party? Does the party already have a theme and what you need to incorporate into your cake table to make everything mesh well.
Some ideas for themes for cake tables are:
- Neon Colors
- Candy Land
- Pirates
- Woodland Creatures
- Camo
- Circus
- Wildflowers
- Jungle
- Superheros
Feature a variety of treats
Decide on what your main dessert is going to be – do you want to have a birthday cake or do you want to feature cupcakes, donuts, or something else? Here are some ideas for desserts that can either be the main and center treat or side treats to offer as well.
Sweets for cake tables
- Cupcakes
- Donuts
- Cake Pops
- Rice Krispie Bars
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
- Jelly Beans
- Rock Candy
- Sour Candy Kabobs
- Cookies
- Ice Cream Sundaes
- S’mores
- Lollipops
This art birthday cake table from Glorious Treats is the perfect mix of sweets, treats, and gifts. While there are cupcakes to serve as one of the main desserts, the table also features healthy snacks like fruit cups. In addition the party favors are on the table as well. This is a great example of utilizing a cake table for a variety of purposes.
The thing I like about this cake and sweets table via Style Me Pretty is that it incorporates the rock candy featured on the cake with the rest of the table. All of the colors flow together beautifully and there are a variety of options for people to snack on.
I think that it’s always important to provide variety when it comes to a cake or dessert table, especially if people have food allergies.
Cake and sweet displays
With all the yummygoodness on your table you’re going to need a way to display everything. First decide on your sweets and what quantities you’ll need and then either pick up or make your own displays.
Consider using a variety of displays and stands as seen in this cake and candy table by Amy Atlas Events. You can use a variety of plates, hurricane jars, and tiered displays to give your cake table more depth and dimension.
Have a fun backdrop
Create a fun backdrop for your cake table using streamers, pom poms, happy birthday signs and even your child’s name.
What’s great about this Minnie Mouse-themed cake table by Kara’s Party Ideas is that the sweet and simple backdrop ties everything together.
Using a few balloons and a simple sign for the backdrop of this bowling-themed cake table by Hostess With the Mostess really ties everything together. All of the colors coordinate and work together well.