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 our neighborhood holiday party, choosing treats that matched our favorite team colors. Everyone loved the blend of cookies, candies, and fresh fruit, and guests appreciated being able to customize their own plate. Dessert boards have now become a go-to for all our family celebrations.
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
- Prepare the Base:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Set up Bowls:
- Place bowls or ramekins on the board for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
- Arrange Baked Treats:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Add Chocolates and Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Arrange Fruit:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Finish with Extras:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Garnish:
- 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 Setting out a dessert board has become a family tradition, especially on movie nights when everyone adds their favorite treats to the platter. It gets everyone involved and sparks fun conversations as we share and try new snacks together.
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins, spoons or tongs for serving, small plates and napkins.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on treats chosen. Adapt with allergy-friendly alternatives as needed and check ingredient labels before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 350, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 4 g.
Save A dessert board is sure to delight any crowd and adds a festive touch to your next gathering. Arrange just before guests arrive for maximum freshness and best visual impact.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I customize the board for different occasions?
Tailor colors and ingredients to fit holidays, team events, or personal themes by using assorted treats and garnishes.
- → Can I make this platter gluten-free or vegan?
Yes, swap standard cookies and treats for gluten-free or vegan options to accommodate dietary needs.
- → What fresh fruits work best?
Strawberries, grapes, and apple slices add freshness and vibrant color, but feel free to use any seasonal fruits.
- → How can I prevent fruits from browning?
Toss freshly cut apple slices with lemon juice before adding them to the board to keep them looking fresh.
- → What dips pair well with sweet snacks?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, or vanilla yogurt dip all complement a variety of treats.
- → Are there serving tips for guests?
Include tongs, spoons, and napkins alongside small plates so guests can build their own serving easily.