Pin 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 a dessert board for our annual game night, and everyone was impressed by the colors and the variety. The kids loved choosing their favorite treats, and the adults kept coming back for seconds. It turned out to be a beautiful centerpiece that encouraged sharing and conversation.
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 Up Dips & Candies:
- 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 & Snacks:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Display Fresh Fruit:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Finish & 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.
Pin Creating a dessert board has become a fun family tradition for our celebrations. We love letting everyone pick their favorites to add, and even the little ones help with arranging the treats and sprinkling edible glitter as the finishing touch.
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. Always check ingredient labels for allergens if unsure. Adapt with allergy-friendly alternatives if needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 350, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 4 g (per serving)
Pin Serve your dessert board right after arranging for maximum freshness and effect. Enjoy watching guests discover new treat combinations!
Recipe Questions
- → How do I keep fruit fresh on the board?
Toss apple slices in lemon juice to prevent browning. Arrange fruits just before serving for maximum freshness.
- → Can I make this board in advance?
Prepare cookies, candies, and pretzels ahead. Assemble fresh fruit and dips close to serving time for best quality.
- → What are some allergy-friendly alternatives?
Use gluten-free cookies, vegan brownies, dairy-free chocolate, and check labels for nut-free options.
- → How can I customize for different occasions?
Change sprinkle colors, swap themed cookies, and choose candies to match holiday or team celebrations.
- → What drinks pair well with dessert boards?
Pair with hot chocolate, coffee, sparkling water, or wine, depending on your guests’ preferences and occasion.
- → What tools do I need for serving?
Use a large serving board, small bowls for dips, tongs, spoons, and napkins for an elegant, hygienic setup.