Impressive Party Foods

Written By: Bobbie Whelan

When you plan your child’s parties you first pick out a theme then you find themed decorations, games, and favors that go along with it. So why not also make the food and desserts you will be serving incorporate the party theme? I feel that transferring the theme of the party into the food served can give a party that extra pop it needs.

To do this you must take your theme, for example a Western party, and brainstorm all of the things that can be incorporated into that theme. First, just think of some things that remind you of the wild west, for example: cowboy boots, cowboy hats, horses, cows, ranches, lassos, bandanas, on-the-go or campfire cooking, etc. Next, think about how those ideas could be transformed into kid-friendly food.

Photos Courtesy of Off the Beaten Path

                To portray many of the ideas you could use cookie cutters and cut out sandwiches, apples, watermelon, baked mac n’ cheese or any other dense foods you can think of. For a western party I would suggest using cookie cutters in the shapes of a cowboy boot, a cowboy hat, and a horse shoe. To incorporate the on-the-go or campfire cooking you could serve pigs in a blanket or cocktail franks, trail mix, chips and salsa, and veggie tray with ranch dressing. To show off the theme even more within the food you can use bandanas as a doily or display the food inside of a cowboy hat.

Photo Courtesy of Esty.com

                Having tasty and creative desserts can really make a party memorable. However, there are so many different types of desserts that you can choose from, the possibilities are endless! One idea is to use licorice to make lasso ropes. Yet another idea is to use the cookie cutters to cut out cookies, Jell-O, cookie bars, brownies, fudge, or mini cakes. You can then decorate the cut out desserts with icing to make them look more realistic. S'more's are also a fun western idea and you can use marshmello fluff instead of melting marshmellos. For an impressive grand finale, the cake or cupcakes could either be fashioned as a single object, such as a cowboy boot, or  multiple ideas, such as a cowboy hat, boots, and bandanas, can be incorporated for a real show stopper.

Photo Courtesy of themecakesbytraci.com

Obviously, I used a western themed party as an example, but the same process can be used to make food for any party theme you can think of. Just be creative and have fun with the food and it will add a special touch to your child’s party!