Dessert Boards Themed Snacks

Featured in: Cozy Sweet Treats

Create a stunning board filled with cookies, baked treats, chocolates, candies, and colorful fruits for holidays or game nights. Use bowls for dips and spreads, and arrange snacks to highlight color and texture variety. Fresh fruits, themed popcorn, and festive sprinkles add visual appeal. Customize ingredients for any event—swap treats for gluten-free or vegan options, add nuts or dried fruits, and pair with delicious drinks. Finish with edible glitter, serve immediately, and provide utensils for easy sharing. Adapt to dietary needs and check for allergens when choosing snacks.

Updated on Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:49:00 GMT
Festive dessert boards with colorful snacks and sweet treats for sharing.  Pin It
Festive dessert boards with colorful snacks and sweet treats for sharing. | platefullyjoy.com

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.

The first time I assembled a dessert board, my guests couldn't stop raving about the variety. Having themed snacks sparked conversations and created a cheerful atmosphere for everyone.

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

Choose Base:
Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
Position Bowls:
Place bowls or ramekins on the board for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
Arrange Baked Goods:
Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
Fill Spaces:
Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
Add Fruits:
Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
Add Extras:
Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
Sprinkle 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.
A delicious spread of dessert board featuring cookies, fruits, and dips.  Pin It
A delicious spread of dessert board featuring cookies, fruits, and dips. | platefullyjoy.com

Building this dessert board became a fun family tradition. My kids love helping choose the snacks and arranging them to match the season or our favorite teams.

Required Tools

Large serving board or tray, small bowls or ramekins, spoons or tongs, small plates, and napkins for easy serving.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts. Use allergy-friendly treats and always check labels when accommodating special dietary needs.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 350 Calories, 15 g Total Fat, 50 g Carbohydrates, 4 g Protein. Exact amounts will vary based on chosen treats and the serving size.

Themed dessert boards adorned with chocolate, candies, and fresh fruits. Pin It
Themed dessert boards adorned with chocolate, candies, and fresh fruits. | platefullyjoy.com

A dessert board turns any gathering into a sweet celebration. Mix and match treats for seasonal fun or game day excitement!

Recipe FAQs

How can I customize the dessert board for holidays?

Use themed cookies, candies, and colorful sprinkles that match specific holiday colors or symbols. Adjust fruit selection and decorations for the season.

What snacks work well on a dessert board?

Popular choices include sugar cookies, brownie bites, chocolates, candy-coated treats, fresh fruits, popcorn, and marshmallows. Mix textures and flavors for variety.

How do I make it allergy-friendly?

Swap treats for gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free options as needed. Always check ingredient labels for allergens and provide alternatives when possible.

Can savory items be added?

Yes, complement sweet treats with savory additions like nuts, cheese, or spiced popcorn for a balanced platter.

How should the board be served?

Arrange snacks beautifully, provide tongs and spoons for serving, and offer small plates and napkins for guests.

What drinks pair well?

Serve the board with hot chocolate, coffee, tea, or sparkling wine to match the festive atmosphere and flavors.

Dessert Boards Themed Snacks

Arrange sweets and themed snacks into a vibrant board for festive celebrations; ideal for sharing at parties.

Time to Prep
30 minutes
0
Overall Time
30 minutes
Recipe by Olivia Reed

Meal Type Cozy Sweet Treats

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine International

Makes 8 Number of Servings

Diet Info Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Cookies & Baked Treats

01 12 holiday-themed sugar cookies
02 8 brownie bites or mini cupcakes
03 12 chocolate-dipped pretzel rods

Chocolates & Candies

01 1 cup assorted chocolates (truffles, wrapped candies)
02 1 cup holiday or team-colored M&Ms or candy-coated chocolates

Fresh Fruits

01 1 cup halved strawberries
02 1 cup seedless grapes
03 1 cup sliced apples, tossed with lemon juice

Dips & Spreads

01 1 cup chocolate fondue or hazelnut spread
02 1 cup marshmallow fluff or vanilla yogurt dip

Themed Snacks & Extras

01 1 cup popcorn, drizzled with white chocolate or colored sprinkles
02 1 cup mini marshmallows
03 1/2 cup festive sprinkles or edible glitter

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Prepare Serving Board: Select a large wooden board, party platter, or tray as the base for the arrangement.

Step 02

Set Bowls for Dips and Candies: Place small bowls or ramekins on the board for the dips, spreads, and loose candies.

Step 03

Arrange Baked Treats: Group the cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in clusters around the board.

Step 04

Add Chocolates and Themed Snacks: Fill available spaces with assorted chocolates, candy-coated chocolates, and themed snacks.

Step 05

Fan Fresh Fruits: Arrange strawberries, grapes, and apple slices in vibrant sections for visual contrast.

Step 06

Include Popcorn, Marshmallows, and Garnishes: Add popcorn, mini marshmallows, and festive sprinkles or edible glitter to fill gaps and create a decorative finish.

Step 07

Serve and Provide Utensils: Present immediately with small tongs, spoons, and napkins accessible to guests.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large serving board or tray
  • Small bowls or ramekins
  • Serving spoons and tongs
  • Small plates and napkins

Allergy Notice

Be sure to review ingredients for allergens. When unsure, talk with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on selected treats.
  • Always review ingredient labels for allergen information.
  • Choose allergy-friendly alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Nutrition (For Each Serving)

Nutritional details are meant for general guidance. Don't rely on them for medical reasons.
  • Calorie Count: 350
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Proteins: 4 g