a berry shortcake platter . . .

It's hard to believe that Summer officially begins next Saturday!

Although I'm not a fan of the heat that Summer brings, I am a big fan of al fresco dinners, light meals, fresh vegetables, gorgeous fruits (berries! berries! berries!), and late evening sunsets . . . all of which are a hallmark of Summer.

I thought it would be fun to share photos of a Berry Shortcake platter that I put together for a Memorial weekend gathering last month.

Our friends invited us to spend time with them for a little fun in the sun, so I wanted to bring a festive Summer-inspired dessert that would be easy to enjoy outside.

Strawberry & white chocolate cookies came to mind, but then I remembered what a hit my 'berry shortcake bar/station' was last year, so I made it for our friends' gathering this year.
 
It's simple to prepare . . . and so much fun to eat!

I garnished the berries on the platter with strawberry leaves from our garden.

The extra green brightened up the berries! It was so pretty and festive. But if you don't have access to strawberry leaves, then sprigs of mint would look quite pretty too.

The base of the berry shortcakes are sour cream scones. 

I think it's fun to make them on the small side, like a two-bite appetizer, snack, or dessert . . .  so I use a 2-inch scalloped round cookie cutter.

I cluster the berries on one end, place big bowls of fresh whipped cream in the middle, and then pile fresh sour cream scones on the other end. Place a few festive napkins near the platter, and then watch your guests have fun assembling their own shortcakes!

It's a fun, light, and delicious dessert for any Summer gathering!

  

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fourth of July inspirations

The Fourth of July always reminds me of my childhood Summers in Kansas, my dad's home state.

Our family drove back every year, and we were always there for Fourth of July festivities!

I smile every time I think about it . . . tons of family, gallons and gallons of home-made ice cream, sunflowers, big family reunions, lightning bugs, endless CORN & wheat fields, fireworks, and hot temperatures.

 

My dad's family has some of the most beautiful people I have ever known.

I was so blessed to take my husband and four children back last year to share the special place where I spent my childhood Summers.

And you know what? . . . they were even more beautiful and loving than I remember as a child and teenager.

We won't be travelling to Kansas this Summer, but I thought it would be fun to dedicate this Fourth of July post . . . and all its beauty  . . . to them.

I hope you enjoy! 

For me, the Fourth of July is . . .

home-made decorations

cupcake garland & sparklers

***

red, white & blue

flags

***

Sunflowers & daisies

***

corn-on-the-cob

***

paper straws & mason jars

***

old-fashioned candy

gumballs, sixlets, rock candy and BIG lollipops

***

very berry shortcakes!

Red, white and blue are traditional Fourth of July colors, so they're  always a part of my decorations.

I thought I would add green as a compliment this year.

I think it's quite pretty . . . the soft colors remind me of a Summer picnic.

~ hand-made cupcake garland ~

I made these sparkler fireworks using paper straws and fringed silver glitter paper! 

They were so easy and fun to make! 

           . . . and my kids love them too!

 

Sunflowers and daisies fill large white pitchers.  

                                                           They always feel like Summer to me.              

And the details . . . 

          small ice buckets at each table

July is usually HOT, so have plenty of ice for your guests!

***

lots of mason jars 

filled with burlap napkins, a paper straw, and silverware

***

a Happy 4th of July sign!

I've become a HUGE fan of gumballs!

             Kids love them, and they're fun to decorate with too!

Old-fashioned candies can make a charming addition to any party.

Red, white and blue gumballs and sixlets, ROCK CANDY, and BIG old-fashioned lollipops make an appearance here . . . 

. . .  and they can even make a good old-fashioned chocolate cake more festive!

Caramel popcorn corn-on-the-cob (with red, white & blue sprinkles) might be the cutest thing at this table though!

I thought I would display the caramel dessert with REAL corn-on-the-cob for extra charm.

Home-made ice cream is the  #1 all-American fourth of July dessert, but I think Berry Shortcakes are a close runner up!

So I propose setting up a bountiful Very Berry Sour Cream Shortcake bar/station.  

I smile big thinking of family & friends piling Sour Cream Shortcakes high with fresh whipped cream and berries. Yum!

~ recipe here ~

 I hope you enjoyed stopping by . . . and feel inspired to make your Fourth of July celebration extra special this year!

Happy Fourth of July!

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very berry sour cream shortcakes

Instead of fussing over desserts this Fourth of July, host a . . . 

                                 Very Berry Shortcake bar! . . .

              allowing your guests to assemble their very own shortcakes!

All you need are . . . 

Sour Cream Scones

 ~ assorted berries ~

strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries

and

fresh whipped cream

 

I make shortcakes using my recipe for Sour Cream Scones.

They're similar to biscuits, but slightly sweet, tender, and moist!

Sour Cream "Shortcakes" are so delicious and easy to make!

The crispy top (courtesy of the baked raw sugar, yum!) . . . make these Very Berry Shortcakes extra special.

A sweet (but not too sweet) Summer dessert . . .

perfect for the Fourth of July!

More Fourth of July inspirations here.

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