By a Pro: Push-Up Pop Desserts | Dessert Table Presentation

the idea

Push-up pop desserts don’t have to be cake, they can also be used for champagne jello shots, frozen daiquiris, parfaits, yogurt & granola, or iced coffee pops

banana cream pie desserts served in push-up pop desserts containers

fruit jelly desserts served in push-up pop desserts containers

the how

To make your own layered cake desserts, bake sheet cakes, then use the push-up pop container as a cookie cutter to cut out circles of cake
Place one cake circle back into the push-up pop container at a time, layering in between with different fillings such as buttercream, frosting, cheesecake filling, caramel, jam / jellies, fruit, or puree
Alternatively, fill the containers with jello, yogurt & granola, mousse, pudding, or parfait
Garnish with fruit, berries, cream, candy, sprinkles, mint sprigs, chocolate shavings, cocoa, powdered sugar, meringue, or cookie crumbs
It’s much easier to make these if you pick up a cheap stand to hold them vertically or use an up-turned wire basket.

Mango, Lychee, and Kiwi frozen Daiquiri cocktails served in push-up pop containers

peach cobbler cake desserts served in push-up pop containers

the why

This Idea

Maximize budget; makes homemade desserts look more stylish
Embellish; makes simple, basic, filler, or store-bought desserts feel more special
Portion Size; controls portion size to help you budget, estimate quantities, reduce over-consumption and avoid running out
Time saving; allows you to prepare big-batch desserts and plate in advance ready to serve
Mobility; allows guests to hold treats in individual containers and eat more easily while standing, chatting, or mingling
Congestion; allows guests to ‘grab and go’ to reduce lines and congestion around the dessert table
Visual wow-factor; lends a stylish, modern, and professionally-catered look
Adds Height; varying degrees of height are essential to a well-designed dessert table (see my dessert table layout page)
Creative; adds a creative twist to familiar or everyday treats, such as cake and pudding
Inexpensive; a cost-effective party idea that won’t blow your budget
Value; low cost idea that creates a big impression
Reusable; can sometimes be washed and re-used for future events
Unusual; a less common way to present party food to impress guests

s'mores desserts served in push-up pop containers

fruit, yogurt, and granola desserts served in push-up pop containers

the why

dessert table styling & presentation

Spectacle; turns a food table into a display and creates a visual spectacle that contributes to the overall room decor
Aesthetically appealing; entices by creating a feast for the eyes
Special occasions should feel special; presentation makes party food look and feel less everyday
Elegant; lends your event an elegant and sophisticated touch
Professional; gives your dessert table a professionally-styled look
Memorable; guests remember creative, unusual, or unexpected styling and decoration
Photo-worthy; a great photo-op for guests share and tag on social media
Clear Up; high quality disposables can be thrown in the trash (or recycling) when finished to reduce post-event clearing and cleaning

pumpkin pie desserts served in push-up pop containers

Neopolitan parfait desserts served in push-up pop containers

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

“Push-up pop desserts containers are such a great way to make simple, homemade, or even store-bought cake desserts look far more fancy than they are.

Check out my Pinterest board ‘Party Desserts: Push Pop Ideas’ for more ideas and inspiration for what to fill them with.

These look best when presented in a dedicated push-up pop desserts stand, which you can pick up for under $20 (see links below), so that they stand vertically; adding height to your dessert table display.

Alternatively, you could stand them up in a decorative jar / bucket or an up-turned wire basket covered with gift wrapping paper.

To reduce lines at the dessert table, make these ‘grab & go’ by serving with a disposable wood or plastic spoon sticking out of the dessert or tied to the push-up pop container with ribbon or twine.

To personalize, add a custom sticker (links below) or use personalized disposable spoons / forks printed with your event name (see links below).

Although these are intended to be disposable push-up pop desserts containers, some people have said they pop them in the dishwasher so they can be used again for future events”.

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