Having Cupcake Bar and a Trail Mix Bar Too Much?

Kimmie7936 · May 2013

Looking at doing a Make Your Own Cupcake type bar that way I can cut costs and don't have to frost them myself in place of sheet cake. Then for snacks during the cocktail hour part of the reception was thinking of doing a Trail Mix Bar with both sweet and salty options including candy, popcorn, peanuts, etc. where they can throw in what they like. Is having 2 do it yourself type bars too much? Just don't want to feel like it is overkill for the guests to do everything themselves. What do you think?

QueerFemme · May 2013

I think the cupcake bar sounds like it could be really messy. Otherwise, it sounds like a good idea.

jessicabessica · May 2013

I agree with scribe and cmgilpin. Have the trail mix bar, but frost the cupcakes in advance. People that want trail mix will like being able to customize it, but I don't think guests will enjoy having to frost their own cupcake--it's a chore. Also, it will get messy, and it will cause a line to form for cupcakes, which should be quick to grab.

allispain · May 2013

I actually like the idea of frost your own cupcakes - I love cupcakes, but I don't like certain flavors of frosting/cake combinations that are usually popular, so it would be nice to be able to create my own. I agree that the mess could be a factor - not sure how to cut down on that. The lines, however, I think could be mitigated if you had it at a table (round or otherwise) that people could access from all sides, as opposed to up against a wall where they can only get at it from the one side.

AddieCake · May 2013

I agree it seems like a mess, and I would be put off at having to frost my own cupcake.

Kimmie7936 · May 2013

I meant save money as in I can make the cupcakes myself. It is an outdoor wedding in the middle of August in Iowa and I'm afraid if I frost them myself that it is just going to melt which is another reason I like the "bar" idea. All the set up's I have seen for this type of thing don't look messy at all. They have knives in jars for the frosting so it's not like piping bags. Do you really think it will be that messy?

AddieCake · May 2013

When I frost cupcakes, I get it all over my hands. I can't be the only one. I envision a lot of knives, half covered in frosting and stuck back in the cans and lots of hands all over them.

tesgirl123 · May 2013

Another problem is that open jars of frosting will attract major bugs. Frosted cupcakes can be covered until you are ready to serve them.

Maggie0829 · May 2013

I agree that the cupcake thing sounds messy. When I frost cupcakes at home I am able to take my time but if I were in a line with about 10 people waiting for me to finish I would feel rushed and it would get messy fast.

And even if you do a "bar" what is going to stop the frosting from melting in the tubs? Now your guests will have to deal with pourable frosting instead of spreadable.

I would just frost the cupcakes before hand and keep them chilled as long as you can before putting them out.

I do like the trail mix bar idea though.

Kimmie7936 · May 2013

I was planning on have the frosting put on ice or in those bowls that you freeze so it will stay cooler. There is only a small pop fridge in the barn, no real kitchen so there is no where to really keep the cupcakes cool. I don't know....

Maggie0829 · May 2013

If you are really worried about the heat, have you considered other types of desserts, like mini bundt cakes dusted with powdered sugar, angel food cake served with fruit, cookies, brownies, fruit pies, rick krispy treats, cobblers, strawberry shortcakes (you can make this into a bar...have the shortcakes sliced and a bowl of fresh strawberries and then a few cans of whipped cream or cool whip on ice)

Jen4948 · May 2013

The trail mix bar sounds okay, but skip the cupcakes. It sounds too messy and too much trouble. Serve a dessert that's not "make your own ____."

alithebride · May 2013

i think you need to come up with a better idea than the cupcake bar. why not rent freezers for ice cream bars/popsicles/italian ices etc? i'd far prefer that on a hot day than a cupcake.

is the trail mix the ONLY food during the cocktail hour?

Kimmie7936 · May 2013

The Trail Mix yes is the only food during the cocktail hour but there will be a lot of it. Around here people do chex mix or something like that only before dinner. So thought of something a little different.

I like the idea of the ice cream but that brings in more cost then what I was hoping for. I just keep seeing all of these dang cupcake bars and no one else says they are messy or they were a horrible addition. We aren't having many kids at all and I am assuming adults are smart enough to slap some frosting on without it flying all over the place. Maybe I'm giving them too much credit...LOL! I'm so confused!

and yes Frosting does "melt" (can get very soft) in hot temps.

rel1988 · May 2013

I like @Maggie0829 idea of strawberry shortcake bar!

I like the trail mix bar idea. Maybe instead of cupcake's you could just do a dessert table with cookies, brownies, etc. Not everyone likes cupcakes especially if they have to frost them themselves.

QueerFemme · May 2013

yes, cupcake frosting will melt. it's going to get super soft and cause a ridiculous mess. Your cute cupcake bar will turn into a table with icing all over it and all of the knives will probably be covered in frosting. I think this is good idea in theory, but making it work is going to be next to impossible.

kmmssg · May 2013

Kimmie7936 said:

I was planning on have the frosting put on ice or in those bowls that you freeze so it will stay cooler. There is only a small pop fridge in the barn, no real kitchen so there is no where to really keep the cupcakes cool. I don't know....

I just don't see this working out. When you put that frosting on ice or in the bowls that freeze your frosting will become unspreadable. I made homemade frosting last weekend while I was making a cake for a dinner party. It was too soft so I put it in the fridge for just a few minutes. Then it was too hard. Putting frosting on ice or in those freezer bowls isn't going to work.

kryan32 · May 2013

If you're making desserts yourself it might be easier to make cookies. There are a bunch of different kinds that you can make ahead if you store them correctly so you wouldn't have to do everything the day before your wedding... Then you don't have the frosting issue at all, your guests get some variety, and cookies will work on an outdoor buffet in August.

Take care,

Kim

Knottie1450123632 · May 2013

the other thing besides all that others have mentioned could be the fact of not having enough frosting due to the fact people or kids may pile it on.

KDM323 · May 2013

I like the idea of strawberry shortcake instead of cupcakes. Shortcake cups, sliced strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

Kimmie7936 · May 2013

I'm going to do a test run at a party this summer and see how it goes. I might just end up doing cookies. Thanks for the feedback ladies!

Having Cupcake Bar and a Trail Mix Bar Too Much?

Re: Having Cupcake Bar and a Trail Mix Bar Too Much?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards