Pin It A festive, visually stunning arrangement of sweet treats and themed snacks is just what you need for holidays or game nights. This customizable dessert board brings together a variety of flavors, textures, and colors for a memorable sharing experience.
I created my first dessert board for a family movie night, and it instantly became everyone's favorite party centerpiece. Mixing homemade and store-bought treats makes it easy and fun to assemble.
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
- Select Board:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Arrange 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 Candy Spaces:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Add Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Add Extras:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Garnish:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board for a finishing touch.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests.
Pin It My kids love helping to design the board and always compete for who gets the first strawberry. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family gatherings or celebrations!
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins, spoons/tongs for serving, small plates and napkins
Allergen Information
Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on treats chosen. Always adapt with allergy-friendly alternatives if needed.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories: 350, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 4 g
Pin It Start with your favorite treats and let creativity lead the way. Share and enjoy; this dessert board guarantees sweet memories!
Recipe FAQs
- → How can I customize the dessert board for different occasions?
Switch out cookies, candies, and sprinkles to fit each holiday or event theme. Try using colored treats for team spirit, or festive holiday extras for special gatherings.
- → What are some allergy-friendly options for a dessert board?
Include gluten-free or vegan treats, swap in allergy-safe candies, and check labels for nuts or other allergens. You can add dried fruits or safe snacks as preferred.
- → What tools do I need to assemble the board?
You'll need a large serving tray or board, small bowls for dips, tongs or spoons, and plates and napkins for serving. These make sharing easy and organized.
- → How do I keep fruits fresh on the board?
Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning, and add fruit just before serving to maintain freshness and appeal.
- → What drinks pair well with this dessert board?
Hot chocolate, coffee, sparkling wine, or fruit punch complement the sweet and savory flavors of the dessert board perfectly for guests of any age.
- → Can I add other snacks like cheese or nuts?
Yes, include cheese cubes or mixed nuts for variety, but be sure to check for dietary restrictions and allergies among your guests before serving.