Goodie Night

As a child, one of my favorite books was about a little girl who was accidentally locked inside a soda fountain all night. I’d read over and over again about the endless lollipops, cupcakes and milkshakes that were hers to eat. I may be all grown-up now, but I’m still a sucker for candy, so I decided to create a goodie night of my own.

Whether it’s a bridal shower, a baby shower or Girls’ Night In, candyland colors and a table full of sweets will bring out everyone’s inner child. Make dessert the centerpiece, with a tower of treats topped with crayon-colored lollipops. Candy striped plates coordinate with pink and purple napkins, Jordan almonds layered in a footed compote and boxes of gumdrops decorated with cupcake toppers. Go for a menu that’s pure nostalgia food – hamburgers, French fries and candy ala carte, served in striped ceramic boxes. Dish the desserts, chill out with some Chocolate Frappes and share your fantasy with your fun-loving friends.

Treats for the Sweet
Dessert lovers will find this party a dream come true. It’s a dream come true for the hostess, too, with easy-to-make table décor that mixes real candies with candy crafts.

How to Make the Candy Tower Centerpiece

1. Buy 5-6 pastel striped box containers in various sizes.  Either ceramic or plastic will work.
2. Center a large square plate on top of the largest box to form the base.
3. Stack the remaining boxes pyramid-style on top of the plate to create a tower.
4. Fill the boxes with an assortment of colorful candies – gumdrops, candy almonds, mints, etc.
5. Insert large swirl lollipops and other stick candies in the top boxes.
   

Terrific Tip: Your guests can have their cupcake and read it, too. To make an edible place card, write each guest's name on a piece of construction paper, insert it in a cardholder from the office supply store and anchor it with a colored clip. Insert the holder in a cupcake ornament, hot-glued to the lid of a see-through container of pastel candies.