The easiest, most impressive way to give treats!

I think one of the best ways to say you care is with food. And we all know desserts are the best part kid of food, am I right? My daughter loves to bake and whenever her friends are sick or conversely, celebrating something be it a birthday or an accomplishment, she bakes cupcakes. Over the years she has made some truly spectacular cupcake combinations including one of the most popular - chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup for decoration. I can't frost worth a darn so I stick to chocolate chip cookies when I am baking to gift. No matter what you whip up, I have an easy and cheap way to deliver it that looks impressive. Not only are you giving them something delicious to eat, you are gifting them with a beautiful way to display desserts for years to come.

Watch the video here:

Supplies to make a dessert stand:

You can create a single layer dessert stand with just one plate, or make a double decker stand with two plates. I'm going to make one of each here.

1 – dinner plate. I find designs I like at the Dollar Tree or Goodwill and pay between $1 and $3. I like colorful patterns, but you do you.

1 – taper candle holder. I always get these at the Dollar Tree for – you know, for $1. You could also get some on Amazon.

E6000 glue

optional:

1- coordinating small plate usually used for side dishes or desserts if you are making a double decker stand.

Goo Gone – if you have to remove any price tags or labels

dish soap - to remove the Goo Gone

rubbing alcohol – to really make sure the Goo Gone is gone.

Let's get started: |

The E6000 is a heavy duty glue so make sure before you start to set up in a well-ventilated area.

Wash your plates and remove any labels or stickers from the bottom. I use a product called Goo Gone that removes anything sticky with ease. Then, I wash the item with dish soap and use some rubbing alcohol to remove the residue from the Goo Gone.

If you are making the single layer dessert stand, apply the E6000 to the end of the candle holder that would hold the candle itself. Center the candle holder on the BACK of the plate and press down. Shift and move the candle holder around until it's in the center. This glue will dry clear so any excess you smush out the sides while centering will not be obvious on the finished product.

Now, just leave it alone for a few hours. I usually let it sit overnight just to be safe.

If you have chosen to make a double decker stand, apply the E6000 first to the bottom of the candle holder and center it in the middle of the TOP of the plate.

Once you have that pressed down, apply glue to the top of the candle holder where a candle would sit.

Center the BACK of the small plate on top of the candle holder and press down. This always requires a bit of shifting and moving the candle holder around for me until I get it centered. This glue takes a long time to dry so take the time and make sure it's centered. Now just leave it alone for a few hours. I usually let it sit overnight just to be safe.

You are done!! All that's left to do now is load up your dessert stand with something yummy. To make gifting this dessert stand even easier, you can attach this nifty tag to it that also mentions that the stand should only be hand washed. Click down below to get the free tag. Happy crafting!!

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And if you'd like an idea for a great thing to bake to put on the tray, here is the recipe for my favorite cookies to whip up and give away.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

ingredients:

3/4 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening

1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons milk (almond milk works great if you want to make them dairy free)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips if omit nuts

1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies.

2. Combine shortening, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Beat egg into creamed mixture.

3. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture just until blended. Add a bit extra flour if baking at higher altitude. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

4. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake one baking sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies.

5. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely. Bake on heavier silver pans (with rims) for lighter color, on crinkle sheets for browner color.