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 created a dessert board for a holiday party when I wanted something quick, crowd-pleasing, and visually striking. Everyone loved choosing their favorites and sampling the wide variety of 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)
- 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
- Choose board:
- Select a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Place bowls:
- Set out bowls or ramekins for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
- Arrange treats:
- Cluster cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Fill spaces:
- Use chocolates, candies, and themed treats to fill gaps.
- Add fruits:
- Fan out strawberries, grapes, and apple slices for color and freshness.
- Finish with snacks:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and garnishes where needed.
- Decorate:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles for visual effect.
- Serve:
- Offer small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests to enjoy.
Save My family always looks forward to these boards at every big gathering. Kids delight in choosing their favorites, while adults appreciate the thoughtful touches and variety.
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). Check ingredient labels, or use allergy-friendly alternatives.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 350, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 50 g, Protein 4 g.
Save Finish your dessert board with a sprinkle of edible glitter, and enjoy sharing the sweet moments with loved ones.
Common Questions
- → How can I customize the dessert board for a specific holiday?
Choose themed cookies and candies in seasonal colors and shapes, and add holiday-specific garnishes such as sprinkles or edible glitter.
- → Can I make this platter gluten-free or vegan?
Swap in gluten-free baked goods and vegan chocolates or dips to accommodate dietary needs. Always check labels for allergens.
- → What fruits work best on themed boards?
Opt for vibrant, bite-sized options like strawberries, seedless grapes, and apple slices. Toss apple slices with lemon juice for freshness.
- → What serving tools are recommended?
Use small tongs or spoons for candies and dips, alongside serving plates and napkins for easy sharing and cleanliness.
- → How should treats be arranged for the best visual impact?
Group similar snacks together, fan out fruits for color contrast, and fill gaps evenly. Add sprinkles or glitter for a festive finish.
- → What beverage pairs are best?
Hot chocolate, coffee, or sparkling wine complement sweet platters, making them suitable for both kids and adults.