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 created a dessert board for a family New Year celebration, and it quickly became everyone's favorite party treat. Guests loved picking their favorite snacks and seeing the creative arrangement.
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 Board:
- Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
- Arrange Bowls:
- Place bowls or ramekins on the board for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
- Add Baked Treats:
- Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
- Fill With Sweets:
- Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
- Add Fresh Fruit:
- Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
- Include Extras:
- Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
- Finish & Serve:
- Sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board for a finishing touch. Serve immediately, providing small tongs, spoons, and napkins for guests.
Save My kids love helping design the board for birthday parties. It's become a fun family tradition where everyone picks and places their favorite treats together!
Customization Ideas
Switch up the colors and treats for different holidays, use themed shapes for cookies, or add nuts, dried fruits, or cheese for more variety.
Serving Suggestions
Pair the dessert board with hot chocolate, coffee, or sparkling wine for adults. Small plates and napkins make serving easier for groups.
Allergen & Nutrition Tips
Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on selected treats. For each guest, check dietary restrictions and offer gluten-free, vegan or allergy-friendly options. Approximate calories per serving: 350.
Save Enjoy crafting your own dessert board and make each occasion special. Every board can be a unique edible centerpiece your guests will remember!
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I arrange treats for a striking look?
Organize treats in small groups, fan out fruits, and fill gaps with candies or popcorn. Use sprinkles for the final touch.
- → Can I substitute vegan or gluten-free options?
Yes, swap in allergy-friendly desserts and candies to accommodate dietary needs. Always check ingredient labels.
- → What themes work well for snack boards?
Customize for any holiday, team colors, or party theme using matching sprinkles, treats, and fruits for visual effect.
- → What pairings suit sweet boards?
Complement your arrangement with hot chocolate, coffee, or sparkling wine for a cozy or festive touch.
- → How can I keep fruits fresh?
Toss apple slices or cut fruits with lemon juice to prevent browning and keep everything looking appetizing.
- → What serving tools do I need?
Provide a large tray, small bowls, tongs, spoons, plates, and napkins for easy, hygienic sharing.