Pin A festive, visually stunning arrangement of sweet treats and themed snacks makes dessert boards the highlight of any gathering. This customizable platter showcases a dazzling variety of colors, flavors, and textures for an inviting, shareable centerpiece.
I first put together a dessert board for a holiday party and was amazed at how everyone gravitated towards it. Mixing classics like cookies with playful extras always gets guests excited and sparks conversations over favorite 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, ½ cup festive sprinkles or edible glitter (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base:
- 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 Goods:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Add Chocolates & Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Include Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Fill Gaps:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Finish & Serve:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board for a finishing touch. Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins.
Pin One holiday, our whole family helped decorate the dessert board and everyone picked their favorite sweets to add. It became a fun, collaborative tradition that we look forward to every year.
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins for dips and candies, spoons and tongs for serving, small plates and napkins for guests.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on selected treats. Choose allergy-friendly alternatives and always confirm ingredient labels for safe serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 350, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 4 g.
Pin This stunning dessert board is guaranteed to spark smiles and sweet memories at your next celebration. Enjoy customizing it and watching guests gather around for a treat.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I customize the dessert board for different holidays?
Switch up treats, colors, and decorations for any holiday theme, using seasonal cookies and candies for the occasion.
- → What spreads or dips pair well with sweet snacks?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, or vanilla yogurt dip complement cookies, fruits, and candies nicely.
- → How do I keep fruits on the board fresh?
Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning and arrange fruits just before serving for maximum freshness.
- → Can I make this board allergy-friendly?
Yes, choose gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free treats and always double-check ingredient labels for possible allergens.
- → What tools are needed to serve a dessert board?
Use a large board or tray, small bowls for dips, tongs or spoons for serving, and napkins or plates for guests.