Last-Minute DIY Sprinkle Heart Cake Topper

Around here, procrastinators are always welcome. We didn't even plan to make this cake until a couple of days ago. Well, today's Valentine's Day, and I've been in the kitchen with kiddo making and decorating a super simple box/mix cake to surprise Darren when he gets home.

Of course, I hit up my collection of sprinkles and sanding sugars for the occasion. Check out this cute video of her working her sprinkle magic on the cake. Look at those thick layers!

Anyway, I wanted a simple way to dress up a store bought or boxed cake that she could help me with. She's very into baking and making, so I wanted her to be more than just a casual observer in our V-Day treat.

So, I baked up two 6" cakes (they're the perfect size for our small clan), and she helped me frost and sprinkle the layers. Check out how we made this perfect little sprinkle heart cake.

Cakes Gone Christmas

It's that time of year, and I've noticed lots of simple cakes topped with little wintery scenes. In fact, I'm guilty of making one myself. Check out these adorable DIY ways to dress up a Christmas cake.

I'm partial to the deer family topper. I did craft that one up, so I might be a tad biased. But, just a tad. Which one is your fave?

Klitze Klein Blog tiny tree topper, Oh Happy Day fab forest topper, Camille Styles bear-y deer topper, Confetti Pop deer family topper, fawn forest topper

DIY Spooky Night Cake Topper

I've been crafting like crazy for Confetti Pop's upcoming holiday rush of DIYs, but I thought I'd swing by and give you guys some great last-minute Halloween ideas. So, stop by this week to see all the sweet things I have in store.

Part of this super simple cake design is literally on top of the cake. A crescent of black sanding sugar makes the perfect landing spot for paper bats. Seriously, could this be any easier?

Grab the printable bat template from Hello, Lucky to make the crafting a breeze.

Dessert Table: Green Goddess Dressing

This glittery dessert display is dressed head-to-toe in green and gold. From cakes, cupcakes, and cake pops to macarons and truffles, this entire Minted & Vintage display is just lustre'd up loveliness. Mr. Haack captured the sheen in living color.

Red and in Love captured this alternate view of the spread.

So did Christa and Ivy

image via 100LC

Dessert Table: Gold, Green, and Vintage Glam

After a day on set for Confetti Pop, I was happy to scroll through my Pinterest feed and find this framed dessert display. Ruffled blog featured this Wizard of Oz inspired shoot, and photog Sandy Tam capture The Sweetere's treats wonderfully. If you've seen my LOVE dessert table, then you know I like a good frame backdrop. Here, the frames also make a debut on the gold and green glitter cake.

Cupcakes and cake pops accompany the vintage-inspired cake. Yum! Simple glitter hearts make great cupcake toppers. 

Can't get enough? Swing by Ruffled for more green, glittery goodness.

pics by Sandy Tam via Ruffled, desserts by The Sweetere

Guest Desserts: Under the Sea Birthday Dessert Table

I'm warning you now, you're going to totally swoon over this sugar-y, aquatic-themed dessert table. Why, you ask? Let me count the ways.

1) Eboness Belin of Fleur de Lis Events design this bash for her daughter Emerald's 3rd birthday.
2) Her daughter's name is Emerald (so cute!)
3) There are a ton of pretty aqua-hued sweets.
4) Did I mention Emerald?

A ruffle cake, star fish cookies, rock candy, and cotton candy? What more could a little girl wish for? I know, salt water taffy and shimmery gum balls. That's what.

Eboness: I used inexpensive crystals to line the edges of all of the mirrors that the cookies were served on. It transformed ordinary, to "phenomenal"!  

Eboness has a few tips to share for those of you tackling a DIY dessert table: 

- I used lots of clear acrylic risers on the dessert table to add visual interest with varying heights and to make the desserts appear like they were floating underwater.  

- Create your own vision of what you'd like your party to look like first and use that as your guide (Pinterest board, photos on a bulletin board, etc).  Don't be afraid to be different- your design ideas are yours so explore what "you" envision to come to the final result.  

- Start early in planning your party. You'll discover tweaks that need to be made along the way as well as unexpected 'aha' moments that will encourage you to carry on when you are tired, or discouraged.  

Eboness created this Sheer Bliss Chiffon Chandelier when she couldn't find a more sophisticated option in stores or online.

from Eboness: [T]his piece was truly a labor of love. Light and floaty, the chiffon circles offer a dreamklike aesthetic, and certainly transport you to a different place. I offer it in my Etsy shop for others going for the same look. It can be used in a nursery, baby shower, or wedding!

more from Eboness: I created the design on Publisher and printed myself on pre-boxed plain wedding invites.  The border had a satin/pearl finish which played into the theme quite nicely. 

All I can say is, "Wow!" Thanks for sharing this darling dessert table and party with us, Eboness!

Concept/Event Design: Fleur de Lis Event Design and Catering Co. 
Photography: Catie Ronquillo Catie Ronquillo Wood 
Sugar Cookies: A Cookie Jar Cupcakes/Cake: Kroger/Mansfield TX

Do you have a dessert table, recipe, or other sweet idea to share? Check out the Submissions page for details.

Dessert Table: Gettin' Fringe-y With It!

A display like this makes any cake the center of attention. You don't need a ton of sweets to make a big impact. Let's face it, the fringe backdrop is a crafty girl's dream!

Mark Brooke Photography and Mathieu Photo via The Wedding Chicks

details: Your Cloud Parade

event designer: Jesi Haack

sweets: Sweet and Saucy Shop

Dessert Table: Spring Has Sprung!

I'm loving this pastel dessert tablescape. It's everything you would expect to see at a spring bash, bunnies, flowers, and soft colors. What guest wouldn't want to dine next to this Ruche lookbook spread?

 images via Ruche

Dessert Table: Just Cakes

Can't decide which cake flavor to serve for Easter brunch or a spring wedding? Take a note from this couple, and offer a lot of simple, but pretty options. Several single tier sweets with handmade toppers give the spread a personal touch.

images by Shannen Norman via Ruffled

Dessert Table: Friend Fete

This simple cake is like a flower explosion! Rhiannon of Hey, Gorgeous Events and photog Kelly Braman teamed up to create this girls-only bash. Bursts of pink and red make this layered chocolate cake a girl's dream. Sugar crystals rim champagne wines and XO macarons greet each lady at their seat with even more stuff into favor boxes to-go.

Want to see even more dessert displays on bookcases, bureaus, and dressers? Feast your eyes on these.

images by Kelly Braman via Hey Gorgeous Events

Sweet Idea: Valentine's Inspiration

Last week, I shared this easy Airheads Candy Necklace tutorial that I made for my daughter. Today, I'm back with a few of my fave sweet Valentine's ideas from around the interwebs. An ombre cake for a V-Day wedding, perhaps? Who doesn't love edible confetti or pixie stick cards? And cookies in a cute jar? Yes, please! Enjoy!

pics via: Brides.com, Proper Pinwheel, Real Simple, House That Lars Built, You Are My Fave

Sweet Idea: Valentine's Day Store Bought Cake

I've got two sweet things for you today. The first, a fabulously simple cake just in time for Valentine's Day. The ladies of 100 Layer Cake bought a small, iced cake and adorned it with fruits and flowers. It's a perfect companion to a lovey-dovey dinner. 

pics by Scott Clark Photo

Dessert Table: Sherbet Sweets

Isn't this bright, sunny quartet of cakes by Cakewalk Bake Shop the perfect thing to get rid of the blahs during the grey days of winter? A few dashes of black keep it from getting too cutesy.

pics Apryl Ann Photography by via 100LC

Moody Poms & Sweets

image via vtwonen

Pretty Peppermint Sweets

Nothing says "holidays" quite like peppermint. I love it this time of year. It seems like I've always got a mini cane in my pocket or purse. Peppermint in cocoa? Hello, it's great! I've round up some pretty red and white sweets to inspire your peppermint baking projects this year.

A white chocolate, peppermint cake layered with cheesecake sounds like a divine diet-destroyer.

What are your fave sweets to add peppermint to during the holidays?

Studio DIY peppermint macarons, Southern Living white choc cheesecake, Martha Stewart  peppermint egg nog

Dessert Table: Cherries Jubilee

I've never seen a parrot on a dessert table, but I guess there's a first for everything. In this case, the bird is almost a subtle detail when placed alongside the vibrant blues and pinks of an ombre cake and a tower of mini cakes. Wedding Chicks featured this energetic display, and it really demonstrates how simplicity doesn't have to be yawn-inducing. In fact, this bright, fresh palette is a wakeup call to ho-hum affairs.

pics by Karen Higgins Photography

Sweet Shop: Jenna Rae Cakes

I've posted one of Jenna Rae's designs before, but I just started flipping through her entire gallery today. Wow! Each cake is more beautiful than the last. The details are just amazing.

Ever wonder what Katy Perry would look like if she was a cake? No? Me either, but we have our answer anyway with this rainbow candy explosion.

Check out Jenna's entire portfolio for more sugary sensations.