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 assembled my first dessert board for a winter holiday party and guests loved choosing their favorite snacks. Every time I create a themed platter, it draws everyone in and makes sharing treats so much more fun.
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
- Board Selection:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Set 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.
- Add Chocolates & Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Arrange Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Add Snacks & Garnishes:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Final Decoration:
- 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 My kids love helping arrange everything and always sneak extra marshmallows when we build dessert boards for movie nights. These boards bring everyone together for a creative, sweet experience.
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins, spoons/tongs for serving, small plates and napkins are all helpful for building and enjoying your dessert board.
Allergen Information
This dessert board may contain wheat, milk, egg, soy, and nuts, depending on the treats chosen. Always check ingredient labels and adapt for dietary needs if necessary.
Nutritional Information
Each serving contains about 350 calories, 15 g total fat, 50 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.
Save This dessert board is sure to delight guests at any gathering. Add your favorite themed snacks and enjoy sharing sweet moments together.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I customize the dessert board for different occasions?
Personalize treats and colors to match any holiday, event, or game night theme. Swap snacks or use shaped cookies for extra flair.
- → Are there options for allergy-friendly treats?
Include gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free treats. Always check packaging and consider guests' allergies when selecting items.
- → What dips work well for dessert boards?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla yogurt dips all pair deliciously with sweets and fruit.
- → How do I prevent fruit from browning?
Toss apple slices with lemon juice before arranging. Prepare fruit just before serving for best freshness and appearance.
- → What drinks pair with this board?
Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, or sparkling wine complement the sweet flavors and create a festive experience for guests.
- → What serving tools do I need?
Use a large board or tray, small bowls, tongs or spoons for serving, plus napkins and plates for guests.