DIY Summer Strawberry Shortcakes Bar
Want to add something unique and different to your 4th of July party or Memorial day gathering? Set up a DIY dessert bar where guests can build their own fresh berry shortcakes. It’s a delicious interactive party station that’s easy to create with these ideas.
Food and drink stations are one of my favorite ways to add interest to a party. They create a focal point, you can decorate them in fun ways, and they offer a way for guests to customize the menu to their liking.
If you like strawberry shortcake, you’ll love this build-your-own shortcakes bar for summer parties. It’s quick, easy, and simple to put together!
You’ll want to add this to your 4th of July dessert ideas, and decorate with vintage-Americana style using my interesting display tips.
Decorations
Bring an indoor table outside and set up a sign and the dessert ingredients. You can hang colorful paper fans above the table to coordinate with the red, white and blue holiday, or other theme.
Add a sign to the table and place it in a cute frame. This wire frame is very unique and gives the vintage vibe we’re going for here.
I love using baskets in party decor because you can do so many different things with them, whether its made of wire, wicker, or other material. Here I laid a wire basket on its side to add height and to create a “shelf.”
Inside you can add a small vase or bottle of flowers, and a dish of candy. I found taffy wrapped in themed wrapping so that’s what I used here.
Fill the smaller box on top of the basket with individual sized snacks like candy boxes, popcorn, or chips. You can find inexpensive single-size boxes of candy at Dollar Tree.
I found the retro-style Cracker Jacks at Cracker Barrel. They make great takeaway favors for your guests, or a fun snack for kids. They look so cool in the overall display, and taste amazing.
I love finding unique items and re-purposing them for food service however, you must make sure they’re food-safe! Just remember to line them with a napkin, parchment paper, or fabric to insure food safety.
I found this 3-tiered storage container at Hobby Lobby. I love that the chalk board labels are built right in and lets guests pick whichever fruit they prefer.
Food Safety Tip
If you’re using a container to hold food but not sure if it’s “food-grade,” line it with parchment paper, wax paper, a napkin, or tea towel to create a barrier and make sure the food stays safe.
Ingredients
Fresh berries. Include fresh raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for 3 delicious options. If you want to expand the choices you can add blackberries and venture into other fruit like peaches, bananas, cherries, or pineapple. Let guests pick whichever they prefer.
Shortcakes. Since this dessert bar should be quick to set up, use those little sponge cakes that make the desserts easy to put together.
Whipped cream. In keeping with the “simple” formula, grab a can of whipped cream from the grocery store. It’s easy to use when making the shortcakes and everyone loves it. You can dress up the can by wrapping it with decorative paper that coordinates with the party theme.
Helpful Tips
- Plan for 1½ sponge cakes per guest.
- Plan for about 1 cup of fresh berries per shortcake. That’s total, not for each type of berry. One pint of berries is about 2 cups.
- Have 1 can of whipped cream for every 10 guests. You probably know how much people love the stuff!
- If this will sit out for a considerable amount of time, put the whipped cream can in a bucket of ice to keep it chilled.
More DIY Dessert Bars
Cool down with a festive 4th of July ice cream floats station and mix up some retro-style fun! Or let guest make their own handheld treats with a summer ice cream sandwich bar.
You can go all out and create a fun ice cream sundae party the kids would love, too.
If you like this post, PIN, Share, or sign up for our Newsletter at the top of the page. And don’t forget to follow CAH on Instagram or Facebook. Cheers!
DIY Strawberry Shortcakes Bar
Let guests build their own dessert with this DIY strawberry shortcake bar. Provide mini cakes, a variety of fresh berries, and whipped cream for a festive interactive party station.
Ingredients
- 15 sponge cakes (1 pack has 6 mini cakes)
- 2 pints strawberries
- 2 pints blueberries
- 2 pints raspberries
- 1 can Reddi-wip whipped cream
Instructions
- Use 1 mini sponge cake; add your selection of fresh berries and put on top and around the cake.
- Top with whipped cream and serve.
Love Love Love this!!! Such a good idea and i have never seen it done before! I just had to share with my followers too this amazing idea!
So cute! Where did you get the frame for the welcome table sign? Thanks!
Thanks Jessi. The frame is actually just a basic wood frame that I hung on a wreath stand. So simple but adds some needed height to the table.
Wow, great idea. Thanks! Also, I really like the printables, what fonts did you use? Lastly, on the BBQ Inspiration Part 1 post, you have a few dark wooden boxes on the tabletop- where did you get those? Thanks for all the great inspiration!
You saved my party!!! Thanks for the free printables!
Happy they were useful for you, Kaylie!
Thank you for the Welcome sign! I have seen it on Pinterest, and was never able to get a good link for it! I will be using it for our 4th Of July BBQ.Thanks!!
So glad you finally got the correct one, Jeannie! Happy planning!
I featured you on my blog today – Live a fabuLESS life! Great idea!
Just wanted to say a big thanks for all the great BBQ ideas and free printables! I used many of them for my home party on the 4th:) I posted on my blog and gave you a shout out!
Karen, your party looks great! Thanks for letting me know, and we’re so happy you used the printables too!
gorgeous! love it all!
this might be my fav 4th of july table/idea I’ve seen yet! So creative…just featured you on my roundup!
I’m new to the world of blogging, but just wanted to say I love your idea of building your own shortcakes. Creative and interactive … love it! How totally perfect for a barbecue!
Thank you all! I'm so glad you like it, and that it has inspired some of you! : )
I absolutely adore all of this and am posting a link to it from my blog. Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!
marcicoombs.blogspot.com
Love it all. Such great inspiration
What a beautiful display! I love the paper cones in the crate and the metal cloches!
LOVE IT! How freakin' clever are those chips! I need to use them! I may have to get those fans too! Chris you out do yourself everytime! Thanks for the inspiration!
'Melismama' I found the printed fans at the Dollar Tree! How great is that! ; D
The red ones I already had, leftover from Valentines stock at Michael's.
Chris, love this all. Really fun. We usually have a big 4th bash! 🙂
Exceptional! I wanted to know where you got the fan circles from. I love them!
I love every last detail. Especially adore the handmade touches. And the taffy. And the shortcake idea. And the Cracker Jack. Fabulous!
I need this for my first Richmond 4th of July! 🙂 Great job!!!!
I have that amazing little galvanized 3 tier too and I love it!!!
What can I say…I am a SUCKER for shortcake! It looks amazing and so creative!
Lovin' this, too! Thanks for the inspiration! I am ready for a Memorial Day BBQ! Christie at Three Pixie Lane
I love the way you put together this Memorial Day BBQ!
What a fun idea! Perfect.