Next week my friend Amy Atlas‘ new book, Sweet Designs hits the shelves. It’s a mega-manual of sugar and crafts that will help you create beautiful dessert tables like this one from the book called Honey, I love you.
Just looking at this photo has me buzzing with excitement. Dessert tables bring smiles and designing one is a great way to tap into your creativity. Plus, you’re playing with sugar so what’s not to like.
When you work on one, it’s very easy to get caught up in the crafting and design behind each dessert. You’ll experience a constant flow of ideas and won’t want to stop. Or at least that’s how I feel. Here’s a Super Bowl dessert table I helped my friend Julie with a while ago and we had the best time watching it all come together. I think we could create dessert tables everyday and never get bored. They are so visually appealing and full of yummy treats – I wish I could keep one on display at all times – magically replenished with desserts. That would be sweet.
Here’s a few extra shots from the full table. I zoomed in a little so you could see more of the detail.
…because the website just isn’t wide enough to do this entire spread of sweets justice.
Sweet Designs has more than 175 projects with tons of pictures throughout.
That means it’s huge… 374 pages huge.
Candy math… tools of the trade… candy index… the book is full of information to get you started on your own table designs.
And if dessert tables aren’t your thing, that’s okay too.
The book makes it easy to find individual recipes and projects from each table to bake or craft if you just want to start out small.
There’s also handy overviews in each chapter. Shop it. Display it. Switch it.
But I think my favorite is Find it. Thank you Amy for a detailed listing of all the items you used. Your book makes me happy happy!
You can pre-order Sweet Designs right now from amazon or look for it in stores next week.
But, you can also win one here. Signed by Amy. Yay!
Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Amy Atlas’ Sweet Designs.
- To enter, leave a comment on this website post and just answer the following question.
- What theme do you think would make for a fun dessert table? (baby, owl, circus, safari, super hero? Nursery rhyme? Dinosaur? Dancing with the Stars? I don’t know – get creative…the possibilities are endless.
- Deadline to enter is Friday, April 20th at 5 p.m. ET. SORRY, TIME’S UP! Winner Announced below.
- One winner will be chosen at random and announced on this post sometime Friday evening.
Good luck – and now I need to go clear off my dining room table.
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We have a winner – and we have a lot of incredible dessert table ideas. Take a look at some of the comments for inspiration.
And the winner is:
Comment #1154 Michele M! Congratulations. It sounds like you’ll get some good use out of the book. Send pics of your table after the party.
I would love to see what Amy could do with a hot dog theme. I’m throwing a party for a hot dog lover and will definitely have some desserts that are shaped like hot dogs!
How about a tropical themed dessert table with flamingoes and hibiscus and lots of bright colors!
I would do a dessert table showcasing vintage caravans and Sisters on the Fly.
I’d like Jungle Book…oldie but fun!
I’m loving the idea of a spring rainbows theme! Lol! Maybe add unicorns? Lol ok maybe not the unicorns, but it’s a fun idea! ;D
I’d love to do a grown-up party with a MARTINI theme!
A chicago blackhawks theme:)
A princess theme for my niece’s birthday
I’m sold, I bought the book on Amazon just now! Theme – I would say, Tiffany’s – all white and turquoise and very chic
Maybe a daffodil or sunflower theme
I did an elephant theme for my youngest’s first birthday – it was nowhere as awesome as these, but it was fun. I’d love to see more of that!
Fire engine red!
I would love a diva theme or a girls night out theme!
Fairies! Since it’s my daughter’s No. 1 theme for everything:)
A Sesame Street theme would be cute
I think a jungle theme would be quite interesting with little wild animals running around! =D
My nephews are into dinosaurs, so I’d say dinosaurs
I think the whole fantasy/medieval theme would be col!
I simply adore the honey theme but I would also love to do a flower theme for Mother’s Day or a camping theme for Father’s Day. I might not have any time to do ANY theme if I get that book though … I’d be too busy reading and making lists to actually MAKE anything! :)
I did one for LEGO’s for my son’s birthday. So fun. There are actually a few edible snacks out in the shapes of LEGO. I made a LEGO cake, etc. IT was so fun. I almost cried when the boys started eating everything….but it was great to see them having so much fun.
National Parks – Trees, water, mountains,camping, etc…
I would love to have a Candyland board game themed dessert table! So colorful and fun, takes me back to my childhood.
Peacocks! I hate that they’re becoming so vogue b/c they’ll be overdone, but I love the colors on a peacock!
I would love to do a Hello Kitty & friends theme!
I would do a color based theme. And incororate every shade of it. It seems like everyone around me is having babies and “baby shower” colors and prints are over done. It would look so beautiful to choose a beautiful color the mother-to-be loves and base everything around that.
My husband owns a scuba diving shop – so we’d have to go with an underwater theme.
The 50s of course! Poodle skirts, cat glasses, vinyl records,etc.
My son right now loves the Avenger movie that is coming out. I think a super hero theme would be cool. (Birthday ideas for me)=)
it has to be “rainbow” theme .. load of candies and treats .. all and all in all kinds of colorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ^_^
baby themes are always cute, but picnic would be fun!
I think maybe a farm theme.
Since it’s close to summer, I’d make a summer themed table display! How cute would that be? Like, beach accessories, think that blue jello cake, with sand and teddy grahams as the people… I know you’ve seen a cake like that! But my display would be so, so much more :)
This is a little different, but what about a vintage 50’s housewives theme?
Or in memory of Dick Clark-American Bandstand!!
Cinderella, she is my favorite Disney character. Loved the bood as a little girl, now 60 & still love it.
trip around the world theme… how fun does that sound??
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Theme
All kinds of shapes, like stars, hearts, triangles, etc…
Space (planets, stars, constellations, galaxies, asteroids … you name it!)!
I would love to do a Harry Potter theme! :)
I think a “farmers market” theme would be cute for summertime – milk crates loaded with sweet treats & candies, sorted by fruit & color, with cute little signs on each one.
I want to do a carnival theme…and a decorate your own cakeballs bar…and table that pairs desserts with mixed drinks. so fun!
I think a pink polka dot princess party would be SO pretty. Though I am sure its been done many many times :)
Lego Ninjago ideas. I have a party coming up.
I think a penguin themed table would be adorable!
I think this book is adorable! An Eric Carle themed table would be so cute for a 1st birthday!
Winnie the Pooh with eyore and tigger would be adorable for a baby shower
Hmmm – How about “Last Day of School” that could be fun and really fun for the kids to come home to!
It would be a tie between “Wizard of Oz” or a Flower theme. My daughters and I all have flower names so i think it would be so cute in their honor but Wizard of Oz has so many possibilities that it would also make for a great idea!
I’d like to see a candyland theme, I think it will be fun.
I would love to do a theme on engineering because my husband is one and his birthday is Saturday.
Dessert that look like other foods, cupcakes, cute little farm animals, fruit themed…
I think sweets inspired by favorite books would be a fun theme. Especially if all the guests brought something from their favorite book, and then you get to guess which book inspired the sweet!
A superhero table sounds so fun!
I’m a real sucker for baby showers though so that’s a no brainer… Maybe a jungle theme, or Seaquarium theme? These are some of my favorite places to visit with my son.
Fingers crossed! Thank you!
It would have to be hockey or swimming for my kids. Amy Atlas ROCKS!
I’ve always wanted a “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” theme for a baby shower :)
I think a Cookie Monster theme would be fun! Lots of pretty blue & white with variations on chocolate chip cookies!
Hmm my vote would have to go for a candy theme. where everything is decorated to look like giant candies, I can just pictures red and white swirl cookies wrapped in some plastic with twisted ends to look like giant peppermint candies.
A safari theme would make an awesome desserts table!
endless possibilities on this one…..I’d pick Sea Life I think
An under the sea theme would be amazing!
I think The Hunger Games would make a fun dessert table!
An 80’s theme!!!!
I think a caribbean theme would be fun because of the colours combination
I’d love to do a red white and blue theme for a 4th of july party
I love circus/carnival themed parties and for girlie girls I’d love to do a peony flower party…this book looks amazing!
Garden party theme for a bridal shower!
I’m so excited about this book!!!
I’m in 1st birthday mode since my son’s birthday is coming up in May, so I think Disney would be super cute! :) Another idea would be film-themed. You could pick a specific movie, or just do “film” in general.
Since I have two little girls, one with a 9 year birthday coming up, Monster High dolls, she loves them and collects them. Would totally make her party!!
Got to be Zombies. Destroyed cities, rampaging hoards, and a chance to see your ‘zombie plan’ played out in tasty, tasty treats
Hunger Games – I would do two tables: one extravagantly colorful for the Captol and one subdued for district 12.
photography theme would be fun!!! with photobooth and instagram pics! <3
Holy Goodness, those pictures are too cute, but I do have a thing for bees and adorable things :p I think a vintage table top could be done in a cute and sophisticated way. I just got an adorable ruffled milk glass cake plate that just demands an pink cake on it. It could easily inspire other vintage sidekicks :)
In honor of Dick Clark…american bandstand…that would be cool to have candy records etc…
How exciting for her! That book looks amazing!!
With Summer and outdoor music events just around the corner it would be fun to do a rock music theme- rock candy, guitar pick stained glass candies, chocolate covered “piano key” biscuits.. musical notes and cookies shaped like guitars.. the possibilities are endless and fun!
I love the sweet 16 suggestion in a previous post. But at the moment I’m obsessed with Mad Men. I wonder how she would do that one? Booze and cigarettes? Ha!
Secret Garden would be a cute theme!
I would do a rustic/country with gingham for my October wedding.
Baseball—Chicago Cubs & Wrigley Field would make a GREAT theme for a sugary sweet table AND the guys would…literally….eat it up!!! :)
I would love to do an entire Owl theme. They’re so so darn cute! LOVE this honey table. Adorable!
Red, White and Blue
I would do a red/white/blue theme because my son’s birthday is July 4…this is always a fun day to celebrate with him!
Zombie theme for a Halloween party!
I’m in love with the bee theme! Can’t believe these adorable ideas! I’ve been picking up “bee” things wherever I see them! 8)
I Love Lucy would be such a fun theme!!!
hmm, tough question…so many good ideas…I love pink so a PINK theme!
I’m planning to do my kids bday together this year so I’d would go for Pirates theme or Angry Birds !!
Circus would be so cute and fun!!
my SIL did a “cute as a button” theme for my niece’s first birthday – it was such a fun idea!
I would do a forest animal springtime theme. Lots of birds, rabbits, flowers and green trees!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I think it would be fabulous to have a dessert table with a fairy tales theme. But not like Disney-fied fairy tales like Snow White and the like, but dark fairy tales, as they were first told. Some darkness for all that sweet. ;)
I am in love with playing piano, so I think a piano themed (or general music) would be really neat!
I would totally do a Wizard of Oz theme! The possibilities are endless. Lollipops for the munchkins, cupcakes topped with ruby slippers, witch cakepops, etc.!
Baby faces, because there is nothing sweeter in the world than lots of little baby faces!
If it were for me, I would do a bison theme! Or the 80s.
A sunny outdoor picnic theme. Red and white checkered tablecloth, lemonade, flowers…ants!
I’d do a country-farm-wdding theme. Will be helping with my niece’s wedding table of that very theme in September.
I would love a Noah’s Ark theme for my first grandchild’s baby shower.
I’ve been itching to do an owl them or a doctor suess theme.
Thanks for the opportunity.
I would want to do an Avengers theme for my husband!
a phineas and ferb theme! an adorable kids party theme :)
Western Themed Table
I would think a flower garden theme would be neat.
I’d love a Spiderman theme for my 35-years-young husband – And so would he! :)
Hotwheels theme!
I think a fun dessert-table theme would be theater. Just imagine spotlight cookies, a stage cake, cupcakes that look like fancy dresses and so on. Oh and a red curtain draped around it!
I have to say Star Wars since we are very focused on that right now (and probably will be for years to come).
My first thought is to have a Spinning/Pilates themed table for my open house for my new Spin Studio! :)
bubbles. don’t know how you’d do it, but I think I could work something out. :D
sweet summertime!
It would be super fun to do an aviation theme!
I was just thinking about ‘repurposing’ some of my Easter decorations for Mother’s Day. Use the eggs with nests and some birdies. I may even make a tablecloth if I can find some cute fabric.
How about GYPSY/BOHO, MAGIC, POTiONS/SPELLS, PROMISES, I LOVE MY ANIMAL FAMILY, TIME, STRESS RELIEF, STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES. ETHICS, SAFETY, DO THE RIGHT THING could sell in a corporate setting. SEWING/QUILTING for guilds, churches and womens’ groups.
I’d go for a summer theme with lots of mini umbrellas and everything to remind me of the beach!
I think there is a lot of really cute possibilities for a Doctor Who dessert table. Dalek cupcakes, sonic screwdriver cookies, flags and insignias from all the different planets/time locals. Since DW is popular with adults and kids, you could even have cute cocktails like the Amy Pond (red grapefruit juice, prosecco/sprite, sparkling sugar on the rim) or something along those lines.
A Spring theme… Butterflies, bugs, sunshine, grass
I LOVE this kind of stuff! Butterflies.
Garden themed would be pretty. I love all of the bright colors
I would do a flower garden theme!!! Love the book, can’t wait to see it :).
I would love to do a Star Wars theme! My husband loves Star Wars! (He has a life size Yoda in his office.) :) Or dinosaurs. My 5 yr old son has wanted to be a paleontologist since he could pronounce the word. :)
I think a Beatles theme-a la Sgt. Pepper’s-would be pretty cool!
I would love a tropical paradise theme!
My husband turns 40 in June – I’d LOVE a 70s themed table!
Thank you for the creative inspiration! I am thinking of the colorful and spunky Rayban Wayfarers for a fun theme!
My niece loves cupcakes and wants her birthday party to be all about cupcakes. I would do a table of all sorts of different cupcakes with bright colors and decorations.
I actually just started thinking about a dessert table for my daughters upcoming birthday… We are debating between sesame street and Minnie Mouse (she’s 2)… I’m leaning towards sesame street though! I just love coming up with cute and creative ways to display all the yummy desserts and snacks!
The beach! Sand pails heaped full of starfish-shaped cookies, sunny accessories, platters piled high with goodies shaped like fish, beach balls, lighthouses, sand castles…pitchers of lemonade. Fun to make & decorate–more fun to eat, and no sand in your clothes!!!
I would love to do an owl theme for my niece’s first birthday in September!
Endangered animals!
Pandas, tigers, blue whales, etc.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory theme!!!
I would do a woodland forest theme with mushrooms!!!
I Love Lucy ! Think it would be so cute and colorful..
I need a butterfly themed table for my daughter’s 4th birthday…
I think a dessert table using the colors chocolate, tangerine & lime would be great. But that may also be because those are my wedding colors ;)
I think Roses! I have always loved that flower, dunno if its ‘cuz that’s my name, but they can be used in any occasion, just changing the colors can do wonders :D Plus there are so many sweet treats you can shape into roses.
I’d love to make a giraffe themed table, because its my favorite animal!
I would love a Girls Night Out Pampering Theme!!!
Rainbows! Rainbows of color, rainbows of candy!!!
I’d love to do a carnival the theme!
I have. Two yr old…so I would luv to see a shabby chic version of fancy Nancy!!!!!! I can’t wait to get my hNds on this book! A party planner’s dream book!
I would love to do a “Mini Food” dessert theme. Mini ice cream cones, mini cakes, mini cookies with milk in shot glasses, mini cupcakes,….. I think you see where I am going with this :)
I’ll definitely be headed over to the bookstore next week to pick this up…if I don’t win it ;-). It looks amazing!
The math professor in me screams:
“PI DAY!!!”
“Death by Chocolate”!!!!
We are doing a “Sweet Pea” birthday for my grandson, but I may have to include some of these “honey” ideas. This party is adorable.
Would love to do a Forestry / Smokey the Bear themed dessert table!
Thank you for all your wonderful posts and inspiration.
I want a book theme! My kids are huge readers and they play “library” all the time. It’s hard to find book related party goods!!
Hunger games theme!
How about a Garden Pond theme – with a water feature, gummy frogs and Swedish fish, waterlily cupcakes, and other flora and fauna! Thanks for the opportunity to win this beautiful book!
I’m having BUNCO at my house soon so I’d like to use that theme. Dice-shaped cake pops and all!
I’m doing a monster truck party for my son’s 2nd birthday this year. I think that would be a BLAST do a dessert table for!
I like a monsters theme (like fuzzy nice monsters from Monster, Inc kind of a way)!
My cousin’s little one is turning one soon, so all things cute and pink and little!
I would make a Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed table. Tiffany blue, pastries, pearls ets.
I think a Batman theme one for a kids birthday party would be cute. My son loves Batman and would love to do one for him for his next party.
a star wars table would be so awesome!
… i would say, All about Mommies theme!!! i been dreaming of it… how doesnt love Moms? :)
I would love a dog themed table. Big dogs, little dogs, long and short ones; some brown, white, spotted – you get the picture. Plus all the toys that dogs have plus fire hydrants, leashes, car rides, treats, doggie beds. Dogs just have such personality….I can visualize the table now!
A sexy high heel and lace Lingerie Shower Sweet Table! :D
The bees knees for sure! My Relay For Life team is Wee Bees for a Cure…oh, so many wonderful ideas with just this page…can’t wait to get her book!
My two baby boys would love Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Or for me, Yoga, or Starbucks themed :-)
Raggedy Ann and Andy – how sweet they are!
hm, I’d have to go with “old family portrait”. I know it seems random, but wouldn’t it be fun to do everything in black and white, with silvery antiques and apothecaries, and stud it with old adorable family photos? You could stud it with a shock of color to brighten it up, depending on your needs. Just trying to utilize the things most important to me–love and family!
I love mermaid or seaside themes:)
I would do a picnic theme and dress the table with cute baskets and tablecloths.
SURVIVOR theme. My family and I make a big deal out of the show and get together for finales. This is my season to host and I’d love to see what you would do with it in desserts.
Hmmm tough choice, so many cute options out there. But since I’m a volleyball coach, I think a volleyball themed table would be fun for an after-season party!
Omgoodness…ANGRY BIRDS!!!
Fire Department themed?!
Hercules! It is my favorite disney movie when I was a kid and it would make such a cute themed table! The possibilities are endless!
I would do a puppy love theme for Valentine’s!
Around the World, Clue/Whodunnit? (fave board game!), Neopolitan, summer fun and games, 40th anniversary, The Muppets. So many ideas, so little budget.
Have been thinking of going a vintage floral table for my 21st birthday. But a super fun idea would be a summertime theme – biscuit crumb sand, umbrellas, blue and green bunting, ice cream – yum!
I would love to see a nursery rhyme theme, I have a baby shower coming up that my sister and I are planning and we are creating a dessert table and a food table to go along with nursery rhymes, not one but we are going to use many of them.
I love a simple polka dot theme!
I love the idea of a jewel themed dessert table. Imagine the colors you could use!
We have friends that moved away who are coming to visit and I would love to do a Summer party theme (including margaritas!)
for when they come!
Jousting–my childhood sport (also MD state sport where I live!!). Little horses, lances, riding helmets, sets of arches…MD black eyed susans…
My granddaughter would love a squinkie or as she calls it “sguishy” party. I guess they are pretty cool for kindergarteners!
Dinosaurs! My mom gave me dino cupcake liners and toppers for my birthday and I have been itching to use them in a full-blown dinosaur party.
My 10 yr wedding anniversary is in June…. So something to celebrate that…. Sparkly, of course…:-)
It’s my boyfriend’s 30th in June, so I’ll probably be doing a Cardinal’s baseball themed party.
I think an Autumn theme would be so pretty. Or a Star Wars Theme. Or an Avengers theme. Or a Peter Pan theme. Or an underwater ocean theme mmmy yes :D
So many ideas!
For the past few years, I’ve been really “into” acorns. I think a leaf and acorn theme would be awesome!
Teacher graduation party
would love to do a young girls tea party table spread, all pink and frilly
My DD graduates soon so I would love to do a theme for that for a dessert party.
i think i’d do something earthy!! :0 however, i am a huge Eric Carle fan, I like Kirstens idea.
I would love to do a “See what you’ve been missing” table… i’m in the otical industry and so it would be built around sunglasses, sunshine and summer :-)
I am so excited for this book to come out!
I would love to see a Lala Loopsy themed table/party. My 3 year old niece adores those dolls and they have endless possibilities for a great party and table!
My son would LOVE the superhero party-he is all about Spiderman these days!
Would love to do a Hello Kitty theme!
Gnomes!!! Gnome Homes, maybe a small one on your stove…Gnome on the range?!! The possibilites are endless!
I would LOVE to fo a circus theme for my grandsons school. They do a carnival at the end of the school year and its so much fun. They would get a kick out of it!
I’d love to do a decades themed sweets event. The nostalgia would make it meaningful for everyone in attendance.
i would love to see a Mermaid themed table!
I think an engagement party would be fun especially if the future bride did not know and the ring was hidden somewhere in the desserts!
I would LOVE to see a ‘princess dog’ theme…I just did a Princess Dog themed cake for my niece-her party was a princess, but she wanted a dog cake!! Too funny!! So I did a frilly pink cake with puppy decorations-came out GREAT!!!
USA themed, can be good for Memorial day, 4th of July or Labor Day.
My kids’ birthdays are in July, so I think I’d pick a theme for them. Probably Avengers for my son and something pink and sparkly for my daughter. Fun stuff!! :)
I’m torn between three….
Tiffany’s Themed- love that store… a table decked out in Tiffany blue and edible jewelry would be so pretty!
Beach Themed- because I am in desperate need of a vacation… and sweets :)
Dance Themed- a huge part of my life… ballet slippers, tap shoes, music notes… would be super cute!