Top 10 Dessert Bar Ideas

Hi guys. I’m Lorenda Howell, here creating an experience to tell your story the right way through stress-free event planning. Today we are going to have some fun and talk a bit about dessert bars. I have sweet tooth so this topic is one that I truly enjoy.

What exactly is a dessert bar and why would one choose a dessert bar? A dessert bar is an alternative to cake. A dessert bar can be any type of dessert you choose and it doesn’t have to all be the same.

The reality is everyone doesn’t like cake. (OH my!) I know, it sounds crazy but I actually have brides that sometimes want to do away with the cake all together because they simply are not “cake people”. (still trying to wrap my head around that one).

This is where dessert bars have the biggest impact. Some people also do late night snack and their late night snacks double as a dessert bar. Lets check out my top 10 dessert bar ideas for a wedding or any special event.

1.Cookie Table - I have to start here as this is something that is a deep rooted tradition where I come from. There actually is a very interesting story about the history of cookie tables. Cookies tables are nice alternatives as there are a million types of cookies so the options are endless and if you have a family full of bakers, it costs you almost nothing.

2. S’mores Bar - eeeek. I love s’mores. This is really cool because when you typically think of a s’more you think of a bonfire or something outdoors. When we do a s’mores bar it can be done indoors without such a huge fire to avoid so many safety concerns, permits and no need for a fire marshal.

3. Candy Bar - This is one you can do color coordinated or just random candies. When you are trying to do color coordinated candy bar it can get kind of pricey as a lot of stored that sell color coordinated candy charge by the pound and the selection isn’t large. However, It’s really fun to eat and its really pretty for photos.

4. Donut Bar - We have donut walls where I come from and they act the same as a donut bar. Many of the people in my city go to the legendary White House Fruit Farms because the donuts are out of this world. A donut bar is simply an assortment of different donuts. You can do full size donuts or mini’s. If you do a donut wall you need full size donuts.

5. Candy Apple Bar - Oh Em Gee!!! I remember the very first time I got to do this at an event, it was so well received. It’s a really nice add especially in the fall when the apples are in season. You will need your base dipping sauces, but the key is to have really cool toppings, like nuts, sprinkles, cookie crumbles, etc. You can do full size apples, but I think apple slices are a lot more enticing and not as messy.

6. Ice Cream Bar - Another local favorite. I must say we have one of the best ice cream parlors here by the name of Handel's. Many people in my city hire handles to come out and make sundaes for their event or even bring their ice cream truck and people can just go up to the window and ask for a scoop of one of the flavors offered. If you don’y have the luxury of having a Handel’s or a really yummy ice cream company that provides this service you can make arrangements with your caterer to provide this for you. Again, it’s all in the toppings. Have fun and go crazy with it.

7. Sweets & Treats Bar - This one is an assortment of different things. Many times I suggest bite size sweets like mini fruit tartlets, mini cupcakes, cheesecake shooters, cake pops, mini hand pies, french macaroons and much more. People like to have bite size foods because they never want to waste. So the likelihood of them grabbing a bite size piece over a full size piece of food is a lot more likely.

8. Popcorn Bar - Chitown! Yes, Chicago is the home of the well known Garrett’s Popcorn company and the popcorn is very good. However, locally we have some amazing popcorn companies as well and that is why this is another local favorite. This can be fun because you can add some really delicious sweet popcorns but you can also add some really savory popcorns as well. The options are endless here and you can offer a wide selection to your guests.

9. Chocolate Fountain Bar - Come on! Who doesn’t love chocolate? Chocolate fountains are nice because you can be creative with the treats you offer to be covered in chocolate. You don’t have to stick to the basics like strawberries and pretzels, but you can add in Oreo’s, graham crackers, marshmallows, potato chips (yup, I said it lol) and much more. Think about all the chocolate covered things you see when you go to a chocolate store. You can recreate that experience for your guests at your event.

10. Waffle Bar - Ah, Yes! So this one is truly a favorite because waffles can double as a sweet or a savory. I’ve done this before at a new year’s eve event around midnight we pull out a nice late night snack/early breakfast and serve chicken and waffles. I’ve also done this where we have a station and the chef is making mini waffles and there are fun toppings to choose from like strawberry and chocolate sauce, whipped scream, fresh fruit, chocolate chips and more.

These are not in any particular order but simply some of my favorite dessert bars to present to my clients. I don’t have one that I necessarily prefer over the others because there are more factors involved other than just taste. The season, the over experience and story being told, the type of guest being entertained, aesthetic presentation and few other elements.

I hope you enjoy my top 10 favorite dessert bars. If you need more ideas, shoot me a quick message and we can chat.

-Lorenda Howell