Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and the weather is getting warmer. Why not kick off the holiday weekend the right way with a backyard barbecue! But as you probably know by now, you can’t have a successful barbecue without a fantastic spread, and that’s where we come in. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. From barbecue classics to spruced up desserts, these flavorful dishes are guaranteed to please that party crowd!

After a long day in the sun, all you want to do is cool off and relax. What better way to do this than treating yourself to a Strawberry Mint Iced Tea. The strawberry, mint, and honey combination is perfect for a hot summer day! (via Joylicious)

This Watermelon and Berry Spinach Salad just screams Memorial Day! It’s a great way to start the party and snack on a healthy treat. (via Babble)

Let’s face it, as soon as the weather starts showing signs of summer, all we can think about is grilling! Why not start off the grilling season with Burrata Stuffed Burgers. This is not your average burger, but it sure does sound good! (via Foodness Gracious)

You can’t have a successful barbecue without a hot dog option. This year, spice it up a little and serve Beer Chili and Cheese Dogs. (via The Beeroness)

A simple pasta salad is always the perfect pairing for a cookout. Try this whole wheat Pasta Salad with Feta and Pea Shoots for a great combination of flavors! (via The Clever Carrot)

Spruce up a cookout classic! Try making this Spicy Corn on the Cob at your next barbecue to add a unique twist on a family favorite. (via Babble)

Dessert time! Dive into this light and fluffy Strawberry Trifle. This recipe is a summertime must! (via Deliciously Classified)

Cool off with these Paletas de Frutos Rojas (Wild Berry Popsicles). Serving a cool dessert at your backyard get-together is sure to please the crowd. (via Agoisfoto)

These Bacon Bourbon Baked Beans are a smokey side you won’t be able to resist. Talk about the perfect dish for your Memorial Day grilling celebration! (via How Sweet It Is)

This creative Red, White, and Blue Dessert Pizza combines all your favorite springtime flavors to create an eye-catching treat. (via Better Recipes)

Are you planning a barbecue for Memorial Day? Let us know what you’ll be serving!

Magazines are full of dessert, DIY, and entertaining inspiration! Here at BFFF, we love nothing more than sitting with a stack of magazines, a cupcake, and a nice cold drink on a Saturday afternoon. From the classic Martha Stewart Living magazine to the fresh Folk magazine, this list covers some of the best of the best in the industry. Subscribe to these magazines for a whole lot of inspiration!

Sweet Paul Magazine is filled with elegant recipes that are easy enough for any reader. There’s also information on craft ideas, entertaining tips, and shopping tips for food and props. (via Sweet Paul Magazine)

Rue Magazine is all about the latest trends. From market trends to fashion trends, and even home trends, Rue has you covered. (via Rue Magazine)

Folk magazine is all about fresh, youthful, authentic living. This publication features everything from rustic decor to handmade housewares to fashion and travel. (via Folk)

Martha Stewart is the quintessential homemaker in our books. So, of course, her Martha Stewart Living magazine is chock full of inspirational ideas for recipes, decor, and everything in between! (via Martha Stewart Living)

We’ve all heard of Better Homes and Gardens. For us, it’s the incredible spread of home decor, the beautiful kitchens, and the great recipes that keep us coming back for more. (via Better Homes and Gardens)

Planning a great party? Don’t miss all of the tips, tricks, and inspiration you will find in The Party Dress Magazine! Kelly and her team have you covered with everything from DIY projects to holiday entertaining tips. (via The Party Dress Magazine)

Sometimes, there just isn’t room for a big, elaborate cake at a simply party. In this case, dessert shooters are definitely the way to go. Dessert shooters are such a great way to combine flavors, and we think that these individual desserts are sure to make a statement at any get-together. They’re fun for parties, and they’re fun to eat! So we’ve rounded up some of the most decadent dessert shooters around that are perfect for any celebration!

Looking for a unique way to serve cake for an upcoming 21st birthday celebration? Make these Boozy Birthday Cake Shots to ring in a new age. (via Sweetapolita)

Serve these gorgeous Mini Milkshake Shooters as a fun alternative to cupcakes at your next get-together. Your guests will love that you’re switching things up! (via Pizzazzerie)

Salted caramel is one of the hottest trends in dessert right now. But really, can you blame us? It’s sweet, with a little kick, just like these Salted Caramel Shooters. (via Sugar & Cloth)

Eggnog and peppermint are a wonderful holiday combination. Put these Peppermint Eggnog Shots on your list for your wintertime celebration. (via Sugar &Cloth)

Looking for the flavor of a root beer float? These Root Beer Float Shooters are the perfect alternative to a dense dessert. (via Somewhere Splendid)

Peanut butter and chocolate lovers are everywhere. And these Peanut Butter Pie Shooters, made with peanut butter, cream cheese, and whipping cream, are certainly next on our list to try. (via Pinch of Yum)

For some, there’s no dessert better than a slice of lemon meringue pie at the diner. Why not switch things up a bit with these Lemon Meringue Pie Shooters. (via Honest Cooking)

It’s a pretty safe assumption to say that almost everyone likes cheesecake. But, sometimes a whole piece can be too much. Lighten it up a bit with these Cheesecake Shooters. (via Half Baked)

These Caramel Apple Cake Shooters combine two classic dessert flavors. What more could you ask for? (via Half Baked)

Which of these will you serve at your next party?

Adding sprinkles to any dessert adds a simple pop of color. There are so many varieties that now there’s a bottle of sprinkles to match just about any treat you’re making. Today, we’re showing you some of the best ways to use simple sprinkles to dress up your favorite treats. Once you see these treats, you’ll realize, the possibilities are endless!

Heather used classic rainbow sprinkles to spruce up her Classic Candied Apples. This is such a simple, yet beautiful, addition to this classic treat!

(via  SprinkleBakes)

Sometimes you can add a little bit of sprinkles to your dessert, or you can add a lot! This Purple Ombre Sprinkles Cake will add the perfect pop of color to any special celebration.

(via Raspberri Cupcakes)

A simple doughnut with a lot of sprinkles is a Saturday morning breakfast favorite for many. These Vanilla Bean Baby Doughnuts would be the perfect addition to any weekend brunch!

(via SprinkleBakes)

Looking for a unique way to style your simple Ice Cream Sandwiches? Dip the sides in sprinkles for a colorful edge!

(via Carter and Cook Event)

This is such a fun alternative to cupcake liners. Use rainbow nonpareils to make Edible Sprinkle Cupcake Wrappers and decorate the sides instead!

(via Jen’s Just Dessert)

What’s your favorite way to decorate with sprinkles?

Whether it’s for a dinner party with friends, a potluck at the office, or for your in-laws’ weekly dinner, these desserts have you covered. Here at BFFF, we want you to shine! And sometimes, that means bringing an awe-inspiring dessert to your next event. From rainbow cakes to simple pastries, these desserts are dressed to impress and are sure to “wow” any party guest.

This Very Berry Holiday Tree will serve as the perfect centerpiece on a holiday dessert table. Play around with different fruits and shapes for any occasion!

(via Belle The Magazine)

What could be more awe-inspiring than a six layer Rainbow Cake. Top it with white frosting so that once you make that first cut, your guests will be pleasantly surprised.

(via Whisk Kid)

Looking for a simple, summer dessert to impress all of your barbecue party guests? These Lemon Dessert Bowls will serve as the perfect treat.

(via The Proper Pinwheel)

There’s nothing better than the simple combination of pastry, strawberries, and cream. Bring out this Strawberry Millefeuille at your next dinner party.

(via The Blender)

This incredible Peach Tart will serve as the perfect end to any summertime soiree.

(via Kiran Tarun)

Sometimes, all you need is a simple, delicious combination of flavors to impress a crowd. These Vanilla and Honey Panna Cotta are pretty to look at, but even better to eat!

(via  Foodie by Chance)

Hosting a Sunday brunch for a handful of important guests? Impress them with this stunning Plum, Rosemary, and Brandy Cake.

(via Desserts for Breakfast)

A simple Chocolate-Hazelnut Tart is sure to steal the show at your next get-together. Serve it for afternoon tea or for dessert with drinks.

(via Tutti Dolci)

Rhubarb, with its sweet flavor and impressive color, is a perfect addition to any dessert. Make these Rhubarb Champagne Blancmange to top off your elegant dinner party.

(via The British Larder)

There’s nothing more impressive than a well-made macaron.  Show off your dessert making skills with these Strawberry Dessert Macarons.

(via Evan’s Kitchen Ramblings)

Do you have a favorite impressive dessert?

There’s no better time than spring to host a small get-together. Spring is the perfect time of year to get bright and bold with your styling and even your treats! If you’re wanting to host a party, but you’re not so sure where to start, look no further! Here are some great styling ideas that would be perfect for any spring get-together including birthday parties, baby showers…you name it!

Kate Headley did such an amazing job with this spring party. I love the playful touch that these Accordion Lanterns add to the presentation–such a fun way to introduce those beautiful colors of the season.

If you’re often strapped for time, sometimes all you need for the perfect spring get-together are bright pastel desserts! These Lemon and Mint Colored Cupcakes would be perfect for any spring day spent with friends and family.

If you’re having a small group of friends over (for a Manicure Day Party, perhaps?) and don’t feel the need to decorate too much, sometimes just some simple, bright treats can do the trick. Save the creativity for those manicures!

Fun balloons shouldn’t just be reserved for birthday parties. Decorate your event with Bright Colored Balloons and get creative with some fringe. Maybe even pair some sugary pastel colored fringe with a bit of metallic. Mix it up!

Thinking about planning a brunch? Plan a ‘Birds of a Feather’ Brunch! With these bright, beautiful arrangements and glittered accents, this is definitely one brunch I wouldn’t want to miss.

What if all Book Club Meetings were this wonderfully styled! With some sweet and simple arrangements and pastel colored pendants, this is one glamorous get-together.

Are you planning on hosting a spring get-together? We’d love to know what you’re planning!

Being fans of everything cute, sweet, and colorful, we were absolutely delighted to find these pastel colored plastic kitchen accessories from Swedish Daloplast. Sold, for instance, on Clas Olhson, these easy-to-wash kitchen items are not only super adorable and practical, but they also turn each ordinary baking routine into a whimsical moment filled with laughter and joy. These wonderful utensils surely make us smile every time we look at them! Just think about it – what could be better than bringing a bit of childhood playfulness into our daily lives.

What kind of pastel kitchen equipment do you have in your house? Let us know by leaving a comment!

One party trend that seems to be all over the place right now is the mustache theme. There’s just something about adorable fake mustaches and mustache themed desserts that sends us over the edge! Moms everywhere are planning mustache themed parties for their little ones, and today, we’re sharing some of our favorite accessories for your new favorite theme.

These Wooden Mustache Forks from Sucre Shop are the perfect, decorative alternative to plastic. Don’t you think?

Add an extra special touch to your party by etching mustaches on your glasses with this DIY Mustache Glass Tutorial by No.2 Pencil.

What better way to celebrate your son’s birthday than with these adorable Mustache Cupcake Toppers from Catch My Party!

This beautiful Mustache Cake from Cake Central would be perfect for a baby shower or birthday party. Absolutely adorable!

These edible Mustache Cupcake Toppers from Celebrate with Sugar would be perfect for any fun occasion!

How would you incorporate fun mustaches into your party styling? We’d love to hear your ideas!

Jessie Senese is the owner and operator of Shop Sweet Lulu, an online store that, in her words, simply carries things that make a party pretty. We’re firm believers in the power of surrounding ourselves with pretty things, so I’m sure it comes as no surprise that we’re huge fans of Shop Sweet Lulu! When we’re not browsing her online store, we’re probably getting inspiration from her equally awe-inspiring Pinterest boards. Jessie’s collection of pins is sweet and playful, a combination that always brightens our day. While it’s hard to play favorites, we especially love her Kid’s Parties board and her Sparkle and Shine board. Oh, and don’t forget her adorable Bake Shop board. Thank goodness there’s no limit to how much we can repin!

Stay inspired with Jessie Senese on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sweetlulu/

Maureen and Keith Jaret hit on a truly inspired idea when they decided to take their cupcakes to the next level and make them stuffed!  Since 2005, Jarets Stuffed Cupcakes has created a sensation out of their New Jersey bakeshops that offer well over a hundred different flavors of moist, delicious, filled cupcakes with unforgettable names like “The Boss” and “Godfather Part 1.”  Maureen Jaret took some time out of her day to answer our questions about what it was like to make 15,000 cupcakes (yes, you read that correctly) for Oprah and the various ways one can savor a stuffed cupcake.

I know that Keith originally mixed the cupcake batter by hand as opposed to using mixing tools.  How and why did he decide to start using that method?

That is very funny because people ask that all the time.  When we were making small batches (in the beginning we were making about 100 a day), he liked to do it by hand, but now with the amount that we make a week, 1,500 a day, it is virtually impossible for him to not use a mixing bowl.

Maureen, what was the first thing that Keith cooked for you, and, outside of your famous stuffed cupcakes, what are your favorite dishes that he makes?

My favorite holiday of the year is Thanksgiving. When Keith makes Thanksgiving dinner, it is definitely a wonderful production, and I enjoy every minute of it.  The first thing that he ever made me was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!  It’s true!  That was what I wanted, so he made it for me.  My absolute favorite thing he makes is his Mini Chicken Cordon Bleu with Smoked Gouda and Spinach.  Yum!

The holidays always go by so fast!  Do you feature any special flavors for Turkey Day?

Well pumpkin is definitely high on the list between cupcakes and pies.  Keith also makes an amazing Pumpkin Bread that is made with pecans and raisins.  I’m not even a big fan of pumpkin, but I cannot stop eating it.  We only have it through Thanksgiving though.

Let’s talk cupcake stuffing.  Can you tell me a little bit about the different options and which ones are your favorites?

Well, currently we have 167 different flavors.  They are all stuffed with custards, mousses, creams, and jellies. My favorite is called “The Zanzibar.”  It is a spice and raisin cake stuffed with vanilla icing!

Much like an Oreo, your cupcakes can be enjoyed in a variety of methods: cake first, filling first, or a little bit of both in each bite.  How do you like to enjoy your cupcakes?

Well, it is really funny that you asked because this was actually a topic of conversation not that long ago.  I like eating a cupcake all at the same time. Meaning, I like the cake, the stuffing, and the icing all in one bite. That is actually why I thought of having the stuffing in the cupcake!  I do have a friend, however, that actually will sit down and take her finger across the top of the cupcake, first eating the icing. Then, she eats the cupcake with a fork downward along the cake, only to be left with the stuffing!

You made 15,000 cupcakes for the 10^th Anniversary Gala for O Magazine.   What was that experience like?

That was the most amazing experience!  When we got the phone call that we were invited to do it, we were absolutely blown way.  We have been very grateful for the wonderful response that we have received since then.

For more about Jarets Stuffed Cupcakes, follow the links below:

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