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 put together a dessert board for a family game night and it instantly became everyone&s favorite way to celebrate. Seeing the excitement as loved ones discovered all the themed snacks made the effort worthwhile.
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
- Prepare the 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.
- Add Baked Treats:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Fill with Chocolates & Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Fan out Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Finish with Extras:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Decorate:
- 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 me build dessert boards, placing their favorite treats just so and adding the final sprinkle of festive glitter before the party begins.
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 check ingredient labels and adapt for allergies as needed.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 350, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 50 g, Protein 4 g
Save With its customizability and visual impact, this dessert board is sure to impress guests and become the highlight of your festivities.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I keep fresh fruits from browning on the board?
Toss apple slices or other fruit prone to browning with lemon juice to maintain their color and freshness.
- → Can I make this board ahead of time?
You can prepare dry treats and arrange bowls ahead, but add fruit and garnish just before serving for best results.
- → How can I accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?
Choose gluten-free or vegan snacks and always check ingredient labels. Add nuts or cheese if desired, keeping allergies in mind.
- → What can I pair with this dessert board?
Hot cocoa, coffee, or sparkling wine work well. Include flavored dips for added variety and enjoyment.
- → How do I arrange items to look appealing?
Group treats by type, create colorful fruit sections, and use sprinkles or edible glitter for visual flair. Fill all gaps for a lush effect.
- → Can I use store-bought items?
Yes, store-bought cookies, candies, and fruits can be used along with homemade treats to save time and add variety.