Let it Snow Sweets! A Winter White Dessert Bar

By Debi Traub

Wow your guests with a spread of marshmallows, meringues, powdered doughnuts, white Russian eggnog shooters, and other treats.

One of the most beautiful things about the holiday season is that it provides a wonderful opportunity to do something unique and elegant for your celebrations with family and friends.

This year, I chose to go with a wintry white theme to display a buffet of beautiful desserts, present a signature cocktail for guests to enjoy, as well as decorate with glittering snow-covered decorations.

Make it Merry

When you set the table for your dessert display, be sure to use white tablecloths and risers for your backdrop. I did this with boxes, napkins, and a fluffy tablecloth found at HomeSense Canada (HomeGoods in the USA). Plus, I added two fluffy white runners to give the illusion of warmth and coziness. Then I made a multi-leveled, all-white display, covered in delectable Christmastime treats.

I greeted guests to the table with a chalk-art display, which can be easily rewritten to a menu board or simply wiped clean at the end of the party.

Learn How to Draw Snowflakes for a Holiday Chalk-Art Sign

Dig In

When considering what to serve on this dessert bar, I pulled some of my favorite wintry white desserts and drink recipes here on Martha Stewart. Here's what I found that blended so perfectly with the themed menu:

White-Russian Eggnog

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Coconut-Topped Cupcakes

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Swiss Meringue

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Basic Shortbread

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Miniature Powdered Doughnuts

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Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

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A Festive Forest

Now, let's talk about the décor: A winter white party theme sets you up for some very creative ideas. Mix pristine white elements (faux snow, feathery trees, and sprigs of silvery faux berries) with organic touches (flocked evergreen branches) to transform your dessert bar into a snowladen tablescape. I made two DIY components for this table: silver spray-painted branches and a garland of foraged branches. (Even though I'm not great with a drill, my husband stepped in to make the holes I needed for this wood garland.)