3 Party Centerpieces that Will Blow Your Mind

Throwing a party and hoping to make a tablescape that wows your guests? We totally get it.

Cakes and cupcakes are nice and all, but if you can knock two birds out with one stone – creating a delicious dessert AND a stunning centerpiece – why not party like a rockstar and show your people who’s the Pinterest Queen?

We’ve pulled together three exclusive new centerpiece ideas guaranteed to blow your mind and make your party table into a stunning focal point. Simple to put together for everything from bachelor parties to baby showers, these three edible centerpieces are as versatile as they are delectable.

Here’s how to make them. You won’t believe how easy it is!

 

1. Strawberry "Cake"

What you need:

• 6 pints of strawberries
• Foam cake round (found at craft stores)
• Foil
• Toothpicks
• Mint leaves for garnish, if desired

 

How to make it:

1. Wrap the foam cake round with foil.
2. Press toothpicks into the foam through the foil.
3. Gently slide strawberries onto each toothpick.
4. Tuck mint leaves between the berries for garnish.

Serve on a cake plate with melted chocolate or whipped cream for dipping. 

 

2. Cream Puff Tower

In this twist on the classic French pastry tower, store-bought cream puffs make a quick and easy starter for this glorious centerpiece. A drizzle of colored frosting turns traditional into flamboyant and fun!

What you need:

• Approximately 90 small, round store-bought cream puffs (profiteroles).
• Foam cone (30 cm, found at craft stores)
• Foil
• Toothpicks
• 2 (12 oz) containers Betty Crocker™ white frosting (any variety)
• Betty Crocker gel food coloring

 

How to make it:

1. Wrap a foam cone with foil.
2. Press toothpicks into the cone through the foil.
3. Gently slide cream puffs onto the toothpicks.
4. Melt the frosting in the microwave to drizzling consistency (like syrup). Separate frosting into dishes and tint with food colors. Slowly spoon frosting over the tops of several cream puffs at a time, creating a melted rainbow effect.

 

3. Cotton Candy Vases

Colorful cotton candy isn’t just for kids! It lends a beautiful brightness to any table, especially when it’s served in layered jars of matching candy. 

What you need:

• 2 (3 oz) buckets of pre-made cotton candy (any color)
• Paper cotton-candy cones (purchase at a craft store)
• White chocolate pieces
• Colorful candies for display
• Glass vases for display

 

How to make:

1. Melt white chocolate pieces in microwave a few seconds at a time, stirring after each interval until smooth.
2. Brush or dip outsides of paper cotton-candy cones with white chocolate, then gently wrap strands of cotton candy around the white chocolate and allow to set.
3. Display cotton-candy cones in a jar filled with layers of colored candies.

This simple treat is easy enough to make in minutes, requires not even an ounce of baking, and looks so beautiful. Try it at your next shower – pink for a little girl, blue for a little boy, or white for a bride-to-be!

 

Brooke blogs at Cheeky Kitchen, where she shares crazy simple, healthy family recipes. She joined Tablespoon to share some of her best, so keep an eye on Brooke's Tablespoon profile to see what she cooks up next!