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 first made a dessert board for a holiday party and everyone loved picking their favorite treats. It made serving desserts easy and was a fun activity for kids and adults alike.
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
- Board Selection:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Setup 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.
- Style Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Add Themed Snacks:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Garnish:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board for a finishing touch.
- Serving:
- Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests.
Save My family loves creating customized boards for birthdays and game nights. It's a fun way for everyone to get involved picking their favorite treats together.
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). Adapt with allergy-friendly alternatives as needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories per serving: 350. Total fat: 15 g. Carbohydrates: 50 g. Protein: 4 g.
Save Create your own themed board with favorite treats & seasonal snacks. The possibilities are delicious and endless!
Recipe Help & FAQs
- → How can I customize my board for different holidays?
Switch up cookies, candies, and sprinkles using seasonal colors or shapes for any holiday theme—Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine’s Day.
- → Can I make this platter gluten-free or vegan?
Absolutely! Replace standard baked treats and dips with gluten-free or vegan versions, and choose allergy-sensitive candies as needed.
- → What board size do I need?
A large wooden board or tray works best to fit a variety of items. Adjust quantity and spacing for your guest count.
- → What drinks pair well with these treats?
Hot chocolate, coffee, or sparkling wine are excellent choices, creating a delicious complement for sweet snacks and fruits.
- → How do I keep the fruit fresh on the board?
Toss apple slices with lemon juice and add fruit just before serving to keep everything fresh and attractive.
- → Can I prepare this display ahead of time?
Arrange dry items earlier, but add fresh fruit and dips right before serving to maintain texture and freshness.