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 love creating dessert boards for family gatherings because everyone enjoys picking their favorites from the colorful spread. It always brings excitement and conversation to our table.
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 Base:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Set Bowls:
- Place bowls or ramekins on the board for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
- Arrange Treats:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Fill Spaces:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Style Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Finish Garnishing:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Add Sparkle:
- 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 Sharing and assembling a dessert board is a fun family project—everyone can add their personal favorite treat, and the final result always brings smiles all around.
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 Add a themed drink or matching napkins for a final festive touch, and enjoy watching everyone pick their favorite treats.
Kitchen Questions
- → How do I customize this dessert board for different occasions?
Switch out cookies, candies, and sprinkles to match the holiday, season, or team colors. Add themed cut-outs or edible decorations for flair.
- → Can I make the board allergy-friendly?
Yes, choose gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free treats as needed, and always check labels. Adapt dips and spreads to suit dietary needs.
- → What fruits work best for presentation?
Use vibrant options like strawberries, grapes, and apple slices. Toss apples with lemon juice to keep them fresh longer.
- → How should I arrange the snacks for visual appeal?
Group similar colors and textures together, fan out fruits, and fill empty spaces with candies and garnishes. Add bowls for dips and spreads.
- → What additional treats can I include?
Feel free to add nuts, dried fruits, cheese, or other themed extras. Adjust selections based on preferences and allergies.
- → How do I serve and store leftovers?
Provide small plates, tongs, and napkins for serving. Store leftovers in airtight containers, separating moist items from dry.