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.
I've made dessert boards for family movie nights and holiday parties, and they're always a huge hit. Guests love to nibble and choose their favorites, plus it's so fun to get creative with seasonal treats.
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, 1/2 cup festive sprinkles or edible glitter (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Board:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Add 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 Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Add Fruit:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Include Snacks & Garnish:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Final Touch:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board for a finishing touch.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests.
Save Our family loves gathering around the dessert board after a holiday meal. Everyone shares stories and laughter while sampling something sweet.
Required Tools
You'll need a large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins for dips and loose treats, spoons or tongs for serving, plus small plates and napkins for guests.
Allergen Information
This board may contain wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts, depending on your treat choices. Always check ingredient labels and adapt with allergy-friendly alternatives if necessary.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides about 350 calories, 15 g total fat, 50 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.
Save Ready to sweeten your celebration? Dessert boards make entertaining effortless and unforgettable.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I customize dessert boards for different holidays?
Select themed treats and colors that match your celebration, such as red and green for Christmas or orange for Halloween.
- → What alternative ingredients can I use for dietary needs?
Swap in gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free cookies, candies, and dips to accommodate special diets or allergies.
- → How should I arrange items for maximum visual impact?
Group snacks by type, fan out fruit for color, and fill gaps with popcorn and marshmallows. Sprinkle edible glitter to finish.
- → What dips pair well with these boards?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, or vanilla yogurt dip are crowd-pleasing choices for sweet treats.
- → Can I prepare dessert boards in advance?
Prepare ingredients ahead, but assemble and add fresh fruit just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
- → How do I serve dessert boards at parties?
Provide small tongs, plates, and napkins for easy self-serve sharing. Pair with hot chocolate or coffee for adults.