Fabulous Finger Food Snacks
Try these simple treats you can make ahead of time:
Finger Sandwiches: Here’s an old standby for baby showers. For the traditional version, simply purchase a loaf of quality whole wheat sandwich bread. Spread cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber on a slice. Top with another slice, cut into triangles and trim the crusts.
Variations: Replace the cucumbers with capers and smoked salmon, shredded carrots and raisins, or peaches and a thin layer of orange marmalade.
Salad Skewers: Purchase mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. Skewer the caprese salad ingredients on a toothpick, and serve with balsamic dressing in dipping bowls.
Variations: Try blueberries or strawberries, spinach leaves and chunks of your favorite cheese; iceberg lettuce, grapes and chopped chicken; or a fruit salad with pineapple, grapes, apples and more. Include blue cheese dressing, honey and other dipping sauces.
Veggie Sticks in Bread Bowls: Slice a loaf of crusty French bread into thick pieces and spoon out a bit of bread to create a “bowl.” Spread with hummus and add carrot, celery, red peppers, green beans, snap peas and cucumber.
Variations: Substitute the hummus with spinach dip or your favorite salad dressing.
Finger Sandwiches: Here’s an old standby for baby showers. For the traditional version, simply purchase a loaf of quality whole wheat sandwich bread. Spread cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber on a slice. Top with another slice, cut into triangles and trim the crusts.
Delicious Sweet Treats & Desserts
Moms-to-be love sweets (we all do!). For fast dessert fare, try these ideas:
Ice Cream Sandwiches: Buy a package of crisp chocolate or gingerbread cookies and a container of your favorite ice cream. Create a batch of ice cream sandwiches and place each in a cupcake liner for easy eating. Refreeze your sandwiches and bring them out when everyone is ready for a cold treat.
Variation: Use graham crackers, marshmallow fluff and chocolate ice cream for s’mores-style sandwiches.
Cupcakes: Cupcakes are quintessential baby shower food. Tailor the design and decorations to fit your shower’s theme.
Variation: Bake cupcakes in Mason jars for a great baby shower “thank you” gift that guests can easily take home with them.
Yogurt & Fruit Cups: For a delicious — and healthy — dessert, dollop creamy Greek yogurt between layers of your favorite fresh fruits (try berries, kiwi, grapes). Clear plastic cups or small jam jars work best.
Variation: Add a layer of granola or nuts.
Ice Cream Sandwiches: Buy a package of crisp chocolate or gingerbread cookies and a container of your favorite ice cream. Create a batch of ice cream sandwiches and place each in a cupcake liner for easy eating. Refreeze your sandwiches and bring them out when everyone is ready for a cold treat.
Presentation Tips
A buffet table can be a lifesaver for any baby shower hostess. Letting your guests serve themselves will make your event easy and stress-free. And doing a buffet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice sophistication. Dress up your table food service with our presentation ideas:
- Stage your table with colorful or vintage tablecloths, vases of fresh flowers, potted plants, or bowls of colorful fresh fruit like lemons, green apples and oranges.
- Create a banner. Cut Baby-to-Be’s name from construction paper and pin the letters along the hem of your table cloth, string baby clothes-pinned on a pretty ribbon or sash above your buffet, or add helium-filled balloons (ribbon-tied to weights) behind your buffet.
- Add sweet touches: Look for vintage stuffed animals, toy cars and airplanes, old children’s books and more.
- Create different layers of food for your spread by using cake trays for serving platters. Or, use overturned round cake pans beneath serving dishes to give depth and visual appeal.
