Build-Your-Own Shortcakes Bar + FREE Printables

Set up a Build Your Own Shortcakes dessert bar for a delicious interactive party station. Add this to your list of summer party ideas and your guests will absolutely love it. Find tips and details here.
Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert.
Are you ready for part 2 of my backyard bbq party? Don’t miss part 1 featuring the table setting and food buffet. This display would also be a fantastic 4th of July idea as well.
This post includes the dessert table and welcome table – a great beginning and ending to your party!
  • I thought it would be fun to do a build-your-own-shortcake station and include fresh summer berries and those little sponge cakes that make them so easy to put together.  Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are all delicious and your guests can pick whichever they like. 

  • I love finding unique items and re-purposing them for food service.  Just remember to line them with a napkin, parchment paper, or fabric to insure food safety.  This 3-tiered storage container was found at Hobby Lobby and I love that the chalk board labels are built right in. 

  • A can of whipped cream is wrapped in the same paper that I used for the snack cones (below), which also coordinates with the fabric patterns I used.
  • In order to tie in all the different areas, I used the same fabric over and over in different ways: a rag swag used on the buffet table (2-tiered server), napkin pockets on the tabletop, a fabric flower attached to the box on the dessert table, and another rag swag at the welcome table.
FREE printable sign - Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert. Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert. Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert.Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert.Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert.Set up a "build your own shortcakes" dessert bar with different berries to choose from. The perfect summer party dessert.
  • I bought the retro-style cracker jack boxes from Cracker Barrel!  I knew I wanted to use them but couldn’t find them anywhere!  Luckily I discovered an article by someone (thanks Google) who found them at Cracker Barrel.  Funny thing is they make only a minor appearance here, but I was obsessed with finding them!  They make great takeaway favors for your guests.  I displayed them in an old wooden crate embellished with a diy fabric flower using the same fabric as the other areas of the party.
  • I believe in having a “welcome” table at a party, especially when you’re outside and have wide open space.  Bring an indoor table outside and set up a sign and snack cones filled with chips.
  • Pre-made cones make it much easy to have a snack and walk around the party freely.  I used an old soda crate to display the cones and tied a mini fabric swag across the front.
Set up a summer backyard cookout welcome tableFREE printable sign - Set up a welcome table for your summer bbq and have snack cones filled with colorful chips.
  • Use some outdoor game paraphernalia as part of the decor.  Here I just placed a couple of crochet balls in a wire basket.
  • Speaking of games, our favorite thing to do is play bocce ball or corn hole.  You don’t need a lot of space for these, nor will you exert yourself too much while playing.

I hope you’ll get some ideas to try at your next backyard bbq, July 4th party, or any summer entertaining.

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29 Comments

  1. 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!

    1. 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.

      1. 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!

    1. 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!!

  2. 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!

    1. Karen, your party looks great! Thanks for letting me know, and we’re so happy you used the printables too!

  3. this might be my fav 4th of july table/idea I’ve seen yet! So creative…just featured you on my roundup!

  4. 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!

  5. Thank you all! I'm so glad you like it, and that it has inspired some of you! : )

  6. I absolutely adore all of this and am posting a link to it from my blog. Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!

    marcicoombs.blogspot.com

  7. What a beautiful display! I love the paper cones in the crate and the metal cloches!

  8. 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!

  9. '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.

  10. Exceptional! I wanted to know where you got the fan circles from. I love them!

  11. I love every last detail. Especially adore the handmade touches. And the taffy. And the shortcake idea. And the Cracker Jack. Fabulous!

  12. I have that amazing little galvanized 3 tier too and I love it!!!

  13. What can I say…I am a SUCKER for shortcake! It looks amazing and so creative!

  14. Lovin' this, too! Thanks for the inspiration! I am ready for a Memorial Day BBQ! Christie at Three Pixie Lane

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