Red Velvet Revelry

Sweet Talk

A dessert buffet is certainly not a new phenomenon, but this eye-catching one stands out among the sugary fray thanks to an inventive, distinctly Southern menu and a graphic color palette that manages to feel sophisticated, not saccharine. We particularly love how the crimson desserts pop against the milky white tableware. Add a sugary sound track and you and your guests are all set for confection perfection.

Festive Details

Here's another reason to bubble over with excitement: We partnered with Minted to create custom paper goods for each of our parties, all designed by Southerners. In addition to invitations, you'll find banners, centerpieces, stickers, and more at minted.com/el/southernliving

Set the Table

This place card only looks high-end. Back a simple white card with patterned paper and then thread with sumptuous red velvet ribbon. When wrapped around white dinnerware, these crafts store finds are instantly elevated.

Chocolate Latte

Add a dusting of cinnamon or freshly ground nutmeg to make this warm beverage your own.

• Recipe: Chocolate Latte

Red Velvet Madeleines

For this majestically elevated dessert, make four batches of the madeleines recipe.

• Recipe: Red Velvet Madeleines
• Watch our Test Kitchen assemble this Madeleine Tree

Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

Make these sweet snowflake garnishes by tracing snowflake templates on wax or parchment paper with royal icing. Let them dry at room temperature and peel off.

• Recipe: Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

Red Velvet-Peppermint Swirl Brownies

If you're a peppermint lover, use peppermint oil instead of extract. You can find it at cake supply stores and a little goes a long way.

• Recipe: Red Velvet-Peppermint Swirl Brownies

Red Velvet Cake with Coconut-Cream Cheese Frosting

This cake bakes best in four pans. If you need additional pans, use 8-inch aluminum foil disposable pans. Just be sure to place them on a baking sheet for stability.

• Recipe: Red Velvet Cake with Coconut-Cream Cheese Frosting

Shop the Party

1. Kiltlifter red nail color, $15; scotchnaturals.com

2. Striped paper straws, 8 cents/each; thinkgarnish.com

3. Charlotte clutch, $275; elaineturner.com

4. Signature Stud skinny cuff in black and calf hair, $38/each; cwonder.com

5. Aldo's Hazelnut Biscotti, $11; deandeluca.com

6. Oslo red velvet skinny jeans, $198; mih-jeans.com

7. Faux-bois guest book, $45; casparionline.com

8. Incanto white scallop creamer and white stripe sugar bowl, $65 and $90; vietri.com

9. Port Wine Caramel sauce, $8; sweeteethchocolate.com

Set the Mood

Download our party playlist and get started on the right note:

• Sugar, Billie Holiday
• I Can't Help Myself, The Four Tops
• Sugar Town, Nancy Sinatra
• Brown Sugar, Rolling Stones
• Hard Candy Christmas, Dolly Parton
• Candy, Nat King Cole
• The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani
• The Candy Man, Sammy Davis, Jr.
• Pour Some Sugar on Me, Def Leopard

• Sugar Sugar, The Archies