For no reason in particular other than I think they're adorable and I think you will, too, I've assembled a collection of sweet trompe l'oeil desserts which are made to resemble summery outdoor-eating foods. Some are cute, and some are so realistic it's alarming! Enjoy, and be inspired!
Watermelon cake! How cute is this festively appointed cake, made to resemble fresh slices of watermelon? Pictured at the top of the post.
Hot Dog Cookies! These sweet morsels only look savory: they're basically a butter cookie, decorated to look like adorable hot dogs.
Corn on the Cob Cupcakes! They may resemble vaguely virtuous corn on the cob, but they're made of cupcakes, frosting, and jellybeans! Score!
Twinkie Hot Dogs! Um...hot dogs, but made with cookies using twinkies as buns. Yum.
Watermelon cake, again! Remember that watermelon cake, above? Well, here's another version of the same idea. No, it's not excessive to have more of a wonderful thing.
Burger Macarons! Everyone loves a burger. Keep the good times going with burger macarons for dessert! Extra points if you serve with pie fries!
Burger cakes! Of course, making it as a cake is always a great idea, and these burgers and fries are totally sweet!
Cakesicles! Why would you make popsicles when cake is far more delicious and so much cuter?
Cupcakes baked in ice cream cones. Have you ever seen anything cuter?
...oh, speaking of cone-treats, these cookies baked in cones are also quite cute!
Fried Chicken Cookies. Fried chicken is a wonderful picnic food and ideal for outdoor eating in the summer; it's great for dessert, too, when served in cookie form!
Asparagus Cake. Through spring into summer, Asparagus is gorgeous and seasonal. Why talk about it here? Because that sweet bundle is a cake! Like, whoa.
Lemon bites! Slices of lemon lying around to make lemonade sure aren't as tasty as these, which are made of real lemon rind stuffed with ice cream!
Marzipan fruit! Fruit is delightful and refreshing during the hot summer days...but this fruit is made of marzipan!
Mint julep cupcakes! Here's a bonus entry. No, you're not fooled by the straw, I know, so these aren't technically a trompe l'oeil, but gosh, are they delicious. Flavored with the makings of the julep, these desserts are a sweet treat indeed.
Thursday, July 19, 2012 
by John T. Edge
