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.
Last winter, I made a holiday dessert board for my family, and it instantly became everyone's favorite centerpiece. Our friends still talk about the creative mix of treats and how fun it was sampling everything together!
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
- Choose Board:
- Select a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Set Bowls:
- Place bowls or ramekins for dips, spreads, and loose candies on the board.
- Arrange Baked Treats:
- Group cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small sections around the board.
- Add Chocolates & Candies:
- Fill in empty spaces with assorted chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Display Fruits:
- Fan out strawberries, grapes, and apple slices in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Fill Gaps:
- Add popcorn, mini marshmallows, and festive garnishes to fill any empty areas.
- Garnish:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles across the board as a finishing touch.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests.
Save Sharing this dessert board became a sweet tradition in our home: kids love assembling their own snacks, and adults enjoy pairing treats with warm drinks by the fire.
Required Tools
Gather a large serving board or tray, small bowls for dips and candy, serving spoons or tongs, and plenty of napkins and small plates for guests.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and may include nuts. Make sure to check all package labels and offer allergy-friendly treats as needed for your guests.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides approximately 350 calories, 15 g total fat, 50 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein. Nutrition may vary depending on treat selection and serving size.
Save Tailor your dessert board to any occasion with colors and snacks your guests love. It's guaranteed to impress and make your gatherings extra memorable!
Recipe Guide
- → What types of treats work well for a themed dessert board?
Choose a mix of cookies, baked goods, assorted chocolates, candies, fresh fruit, and themed snacks such as popcorn and marshmallows for variety and visual appeal.
- → How do I make the board visually stunning?
Arrange colorful fruits and treats in small groups, use bowls for dips, and finish with edible glitter, festive sprinkles, or contrasting colors for striking presentation.
- → Can I customize for guests with dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. Swap in gluten-free, vegan, or allergy-friendly options and double-check ingredient labels. Add or remove items as needed for your guests.
- → What are some themed ideas for different occasions?
Decorate for holidays using seasonal colors and treats, or use team colors for game nights. Personalize the selection based on the event or celebration.
- → What beverages pair well with dessert boards?
Offer hot chocolate, coffee, sparkling wine, or milk to complement sweet treats and create a festive atmosphere for your gathering.
- → How can I keep fruit fresh on the board?
Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning, and add fruit just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.