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 made this dessert board for a family holiday gathering and everyone was delighted to pick their favorite snacks. It's always a hit for parties or game nights because guests can help themselves and explore new combinations.
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 Your Base:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Set Bowls & Ramekins:
- 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 & Candies:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Display Fresh Fruits:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Finish and Garnish:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps. 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 Our family tradition includes making a dessert board together before watching movies on game night. Kids love helping with arranging their favorite candies and sprinkles, making it a fun bonding experience every time.
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 chosen treats. Adapt the board using allergy-friendly alternatives if needed.
Nutritional Information
Each serving (1/10th of the board) has approximately 350 calories, 15 g total fat, 50 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.
Save Create a theme for your board or let guests build their own combinations for a unique dessert experience.
Recipe Guide
- → How can I customize the dessert board for different occasions?
Choose treats and candies that match the colors or themes of holidays or team events. Use seasonal decorations or shape cookies for festive touches.
- → What are some suitable dips for dessert boards?
Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, or vanilla yogurt work well. Offer a variety for extra flavor options.
- → How should fresh fruit be prepared to prevent browning?
Toss apple slices and other fruits with lemon juice before arranging to keep them looking fresh and vibrant.
- → Can this platter be made allergy-friendly?
Yes, substitute gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free sweets and always check ingredient labels for allergens to ensure safety.
- → What drinks pair well with a dessert board?
Hot chocolate, coffee, sparkling wine, or cider complement the sweet and savory snacks, enhancing the festive experience.
- → What tools are necessary to serve a dessert board?
Provide a large board or tray, small bowls for dips, spoons, tongs, plates, and napkins for convenient serving and sharing.