Do-It-Yourself Candy and Dessert Table

I’m no Amy Atlas, but I wanted to create a simple, low-budget dessert table for my sister’s high school graduation. With a combination of bulk candy, homemade treats, and specialty desserts, I created a dessert table that anyone could recreate. This dessert table was positioned in the four season porch on a beautiful day, so I didn’t want to hang a background to block the sunlight and view of the trees. You could add decorations like flowers, banners or balloons to make it more festive.
I love the look of similar colored candy in clear jars and vases. Start searching the Internet for bulk candy in your preferred colors. A few websites you can start are: Candy Direct, Candy Warehouse, and Bulk Candy Store. We purchased M&Ms, gummi bears, lemon balls, sixlets, bananans, gumballs and a few others. We only had to purchase a few glass jars, the rest we had around the house. Target surprisingly has a great selection at a low cost.

Fleurir chocolates sent me a box of their handmade chocolates that not only taste great, but look great too. With flavors like Sesame Hazelnut, Pink Peppercorn and Carrot Cake, these chocolates are sure to be a conversation starter. I recommend a combination of candy, chocolates and desserts for your dessert table, depending on the occasion.

Place your largest item in the middle. A tiered cake or cupcake platter would work well here. If you aren’t planning on having either of those, to create height, place sturdy boxes under your tablecloth or use pedestals. Use a variety of different shaped vases and jars, you don’t want everything to look uniform.

In addition to the homemade cookies and brownies, a few specialty desserts makes things more exciting. I adore Better Bit of Butter cookies, which are some of the most delicious cookies I’ve ever tasted. I sent some awhile back to my husband’s aunt when she had a baby and her kid’s loved them. Christine sent over some “mini BB’s” which are perfect for parties.
See those Zebra and Damask decorated cookies? Those are actually chocolate covered ores from Sweeties by Kim on Etsy. These are perfect for kid’s parties, because almost all kids love Oreos, right? But these are extra special Oreos and they are absolutely gorgeous. Kim is a sweetie too!
If you are thinking about creating a dessert table for your next party of event, I would recommend browsing through Amy Atlas’ creations. The one I made was very simple, with more of a color scheme than an actual theme, but you can be as creative as you want to be. Check out this Woodland themed table or this Circus creation. The sky is the limit in making a beautiful dessert table!





Comment by LT on 11 June 2010:
Hi Emily! Just hopping over from the Mommy-Files! I really enjoyed wandering around your blog, and I just love your desert table presentation! The color of the candies in those jars just make it! Thanks for visiting my blog too!
Comment by Lynn on 11 June 2010:
Whoa, you put that together? That is amazing! You totally have it all down from colors to placement. Way to go!
Comment by Shannon (The Mommy-Files) on 11 June 2010:
This is an awesome idea! Easy for you and fun for your guests!
Comment by Emilie on 13 June 2010:
Simply stunning presentation. Love the setup and gorgeous shots you got!
Comment by Debbie Stanton on 14 June 2010:
your table is absolutely beautiful…
Comment by Claire on 22 June 2010:
How did you do the cookies? They are simply beautiful!
Comment by Mary Russell! on 23 June 2010:
Beautiful photos and very classy looking set up!
Comment by Lynsey Jones on 5 July 2010:
Looks amazing. Our friends had a blue/brown wedding with a full candy bar – it was the first time I had seen anything like that and it was GORGEOUS! Such a great idea.
Comment by Night Owl Mama on 6 July 2010:
I love the color coordinating. Looks delicious and of course presentation is beautiful
Comment by Virginia from Lady V dZine on 9 July 2010:
What a great way to set up a candy table.
Comment by Paula on 9 July 2010:
Looks great!! Good job on the table. I’m now very hungry!
Comment by A Modern Mother on 16 July 2010:
That is absolutely gorgeous! V. Impressed (comment written using my iPad
Comment by Mami2jcn on 2 August 2010:
The yellow and green combination is gorgeous!
Comment by Geoff K on 2 August 2010:
Really lovely table – and perfect colors for a spring/summer celebration. I wonder if anyone has any tips for recreating these beautiful cookies and candies in the kitchen? I’m guessing that mini cheesecakes and fudge would work well, especially with some creative toppers and decorating. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Christy, Home❤Mom on 10 August 2010:
I’m so glad i found your blog, I love it!
new follower through feedly and can’t wait to read more!
Christy, Home❤Mom
Comment by Renee on 14 October 2010:
love it! Reminds me of my days of setting up for weddings as a catering manager
Comment by Margo on 29 March 2011:
Your table is gorgeous, it has given me some ideas. Could use some help in preparing more gorgeous tables, so I can serve our homeless program at my church better. I am responsible for setting up our dessert table(buffet style), additionally ,I teach others including children, who volunteer how to be creative in preparing such a table with no money and very little knowledge. It always seems to turn out nicely though.