Pool Party Recipes & Tips
Pool Party Cake
This cleverly decorated cake with its "pool" of cool blue gelatin will steal the show at any gathering! Our Test Kitchen staff dipped into their imaginations to come up with the whimsical party cake that doubles as an eye-catching centerpiece.
—Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen
Fun Fish Sandwiches
Kids will love these cute fish sandwiches! They're such a cinch to shape, using a fish-shaped cookie cutter. If some of your party guests are picky eaters, cut out fish-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches instead.
—Carolyn Schmeling, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Strawberry Pork Chops
Moist, juicy and just right for warm summer evenings, these strawberry-topped pork chops are everyday-easy but special enough to serve guests. The blend of rosemary and berry vinaigrette adds a fruity freshness.
—Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen
Sweet Pasta Salad
I first tasted this delightfully different salad several years ago at a pool party and begged the hostess for the recipe. Since then, I've served it many times and have always gotten rave reviews.
—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Susie Sunshine Cake
Fresh fruit garnishes provide the fun final touches on this dazzling dessert perfect for a summer celebration.
—Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen
Pool Party Tips
- To keep salads, meats and desserts cold and safe at a summer party, I place all the containers in a pleasing arrangement in a small, inflatable child-size swimming pool. Then I sprinkle bags of ice cubes around everything. I also use netting from a fabric store to keep flies and other pesky bugs out of the food. I have enough to cover the tables, too. After the party, I wash the fabric on the gentle cycle in the washing machine and air-dry it for future use.
—Earlene Ertelt, Woodburn, Oregon
- I make gelatin for picnics and pour it into individual plastic containers with mini marshmallows on top. To make it special, I sprinkle with pastel marshmallows. Kids always enjoy this treat. Plus, this prevents spills that can occur when you're spooning from a larger bowl.
—Marilyn Bick, Norwalk, Ohio
- Scooping ice cream at a party is always so messy and time-consuming. Therefore, before a party I place single scoops of ice cream in paper cupcake liners and pop them back into the freezer until they're ready to serve.
—Pat Bellamy, Max, Nebraska
- When you're grilling lots of chicken wings for an outdoor party, speed up the basting by putting the sauce in a spray bottle and spraying it on the wings as they cook.
—Angela Roster, Greenbackville, Virginia
- Making batches of cupcakes for a party? Pour the batter into ice cream cones until they're half full, bake and frost. No messy paper liners to dispose of…and the kids can eat the cones!
—Janet Rate, Colburn, Idaho