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.
The first time I created a dessert board, everyone gathered around admiring the colors and variety before diving in together. It was easy to adapt for our family game night, swapping in favorite treats and themed snacks.
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 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 Goods:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Fill With Treats:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Place 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 set out the fruits and choose sprinkle colors for special occasions, making this dessert board a family favorite activity.
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 for allergens if unsure, and adapt with allergy-friendly alternatives as needed.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 350, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 4 g
Save With colorful treats and easy prep, this dessert board is a guaranteed hit for sharing at any celebration.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I make my dessert board look visually appealing?
Use a mix of colors, shapes, and heights. Fan out fresh fruit, group cookies and treats, and add festive garnishes for contrast.
- → Can I customize the board for specific holidays or events?
Absolutely! Swap in themed treats, candies, and colors to match seasons or game nights. Use sprinkles and edible glitter for extra flair.
- → What allergy-friendly options can be included?
Choose gluten-free or vegan treats, check labels for common allergens, and consider adding nuts, dried fruit, or cheese as alternatives.
- → Which dips pair well with dessert boards?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla yogurt are popular choices to complement sweet snacks and fruits.
- → How can I serve and store the board for parties?
Arrange on a large board with small bowls for dips, provide tongs and napkins, and refrigerate leftovers to keep treats fresh.
- → What beverages pair best with themed dessert boards?
Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, or sparkling wine make great accompaniments for both kids and adults.