Save A festive, visually stunning arrangement of sweet treats and themed snacks, perfect for holidays or game nights. This customizable dessert board brings together a variety of flavors, textures, and colors for a memorable sharing experience.
The first time I created a dessert board for a family movie night, everyone was thrilled to try each treat and dip. Building the board together became part of the fun, turning a simple evening into a celebration.
Ingredients
- Cookies & Baked Treats: 12 holiday or themed sugar cookies, 8 brownie bites or mini cupcakes, 12 chocolate-dipped pretzel rods
- Chocolates & Candies: 1 cup assorted chocolates (truffles, wrapped candies), 1 cup holiday or team-colored M&Ms or similar candy-coated chocolates
- Fresh Fruits: 1 cup strawberries, halved, 1 cup seedless grapes, 1 cup apple slices (tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning)
- Dips & Spreads: 1 cup chocolate fondue or hazelnut spread, 1 cup marshmallow fluff or vanilla yogurt dip
- Themed Snacks & Extras: 1 cup popcorn (drizzled with white chocolate or colored sprinkles), 1 cup mini marshmallows, ½ cup festive sprinkles or edible glitter (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Board:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Set Up Bowls:
- Place bowls or ramekins on the board for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
- Arrange Baked Treats:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Fill With Chocolates & Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Add Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Scatter Extras:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Finish and Serve:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board for a finishing touch. Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests.
Save Last Christmas, our dessert board became the centerpiece of our family celebration. Kids loved picking their favorites, and adults enjoyed pairing treats with sparkling wine for a memorable evening.
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins, spoons or tongs for serving, small plates and napkins
Allergen Information
Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on treats chosen. Always check ingredient labels for allergens and substitute allergy-friendly options if necessary.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 350, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 4 g
Save This dessert board is sure to impress your guests and make any occasion extra cheerful. Serve with fun drinks and enjoy making sweet memories together.
Recipe Questions
- → How can I customize the board for holidays?
Swap treats for seasonal or themed versions—use colored candies, festive sprinkles, or holiday-shaped cookies to match the occasion.
- → What dips pair well with sweet treats?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, and marshmallow fluff are classic options. Vanilla yogurt dip offers a lighter alternative.
- → Can I make it gluten-free or vegan?
Choose gluten-free cookies, dairy-free chocolates, and plant-based dips to suit dietary preferences, checking labels for allergens.
- → What drinks go well with these snacks?
Hot chocolate, coffee, or sparkling wine are excellent pairings. Choose beverages based on guest preferences and celebration style.
- → How do I keep fruit fresh on the board?
Toss apple slices with lemon juice and add fruit last before serving. Cover or refrigerate if prepping ahead to limit browning.
- → What serving tools do I need?
Provide small tongs, spoons, bowls, plates, and napkins for easy, hygienic serving of snacks and dips.