Cue the music for “Pomp and Circumstance” – it’s time for graduation. Once your grad has received her diploma, celebrate her big day with family and friends by inviting them over for a party. Of course, it’s not a party without plenty of food. Load up a buffet table with these recipes. For drinks, prepare a big batch of watermelon lemonade – you can even serve it in a carved out melon. Put together diploma sandwiches, bacon cheeseburger bombs and cheese-stuffed taco meatballs as quick, yummy finger foods. And for dessert? Offer Texas sheet cake and chocolate graduation cap cupcakes.
Watermelon Lemonade
Elevate the normal party drink to something special with this recipe for watermelon lemonade from Smitten Kitchen. Mix together fresh-squeezed lemon juice and watermelon puree along with a simple syrup and cold water. Dress up this drink by serving it in a carved out watermelon.
Diploma Sandwiches
Flatten pieces of white bread and spread with prepared chicken salad. Next, roll up the bread and then hold into place by a chive piece. These diploma sandwiches from Taste of Home look great on a large platter along with the rest of your party eats.
Bacon Cheeseburger Bombs
Capture all the flavor of this teen favorite in a fun, bite-sized treat with these bacon cheeseburger bombs from Pillsbury. Tuck pieces of cooked, ground hamburger and cheddar cheese cubes into a piece of refrigerated flaky biscuits. Wrap the biscuit completely around it and then cover with uncooked bacon. Hold together with a toothpick and then cook at 400 F for about 8 minutes.
Cheese-Stuffed Taco Meatballs
Here’s another fun recipe to feed a crowd of hungry teenagers: cheese-stuffed taco meatballs from Betty Crocker. Season ground beef with taco mix and combine with plain breadcrumbs. Take a tablespoon-sized piece of ground meat and form it around cheddar cheese. Bake up and serve hot with ketchup for dipping.
Texas Sheet Cake
With the crowds coming and going at your party, you’ll need lots of sweets. Whip up this Texas sheet cake recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Rich and chocolately with an equally creamy frosting, sprinkle with nuts and let it set. This cake serves 24.
Chocolate Graduation Cap Cupcakes
Create these chocolate graduation cap cupcakes from Kraft by using supplies you probably have on hand. First, use a boxed devil’s food cake mix to make 24 cupcakes. Dip a graham cracker piece (broken in half to be a square) into melted white chocolate then cool. Assemble by overturning the cupcake, putting on a dollop of whipped cream, and put on the graham cracker piece and top with a fruit leather tassel.
