A dessert charcuterie board is the perfect, stress-free way to celebrate any occasion! Fill it with a mix of homemade and store-bought treats like cookies, truffles, fresh fruit, and candies to create a visually stunning and delicious spread. Customize it for any theme or holiday and make every celebration extra sweet!

You can also make our Christmas dessert charcuterie board for the holiday season or a Valentine’s Day charcuterie and dessert platter. And our fruit and cheese platter is perfect for any occasion!

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Dessert Charcuterie Board

I love hosting parties so much, I even wrote a book about it! And I firmly believe that sweet and savory snacks are the key to a successful party.

I usually serve a beautiful cheese board or a mezze board, but a dessert charcuterie board is my favorite way to combine delicious treats and creativity into one stunning spread!

While traditional charcuterie boards feature meats and cheeses, dessert charcuterie swaps savory for sweet with an array of candies, cookies, fruits, and homemade or store-bought desserts.

It’s a simple yet show-stopping option for holidays and special occasions, offering something for everyone to enjoy. You can customize them to fit any theme, from a Thanksgiving dessert board to festive Christmas goodies or a cozy hot chocolate board for winter nights.

Why You’ll Love These Dessert Board Ideas

Perfect for any occasion – A dessert charcuterie board works for everything from casual gatherings to elegant celebrations. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for birthdays, holidays, game nights, or just because!

No cooking required – Skip the stress of baking complicated desserts. Mix store-bought treats with a few homemade favorites for an impressive spread that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Completely customizable – Create a board that perfectly matches your event theme or dietary needs. Whether you need gluten-free options, vegan treats, or kid-friendly sweets, a dessert board can be tailored for everyone at your gathering.

Visually stunning – These boards aren’t just delicious—they’re gorgeous! The combination of colors, textures, and heights creates an eye-catching centerpiece that will have guests snapping photos before they dig in.

Interactive and fun – Dessert boards encourage mingling and conversation as guests sample different treats and discover new flavor combinations.

Dessert board filled with candy and chocolate.

What to Put on a Dessert Charcuterie Board

The sky is the limit regarding what you can put on a dessert charcuterie board. However, deciding what to add to your board can take time and effort. To help you, I’ve listed some of my favorite items:

Use a mix of store-bought items and homemade items for the best board. You can easily make this board gluten-free and vegan if you need. I list some of my favorite store-bought items below.

1. Candy

Bright, colorful, and fun, candy is an essential component of any dessert board. Consider these crowd-pleasers:

Chocolate bars
Gummy bears or gummy worms
Mini candy bars
Fluffy homemade marshmallows
Chocolate truffles
Peanut butter cups

2. Cookies

Who doesn’t love cookies? They add sweetness and crunch, and there’s a variety to suit every palate:

Dessert charcuterie board with popcorn, cookies, truffles, orange slices and chocolate dip.

3. Popcorn and Pretzels

Add a touch of saltiness to your board with these crunchy snacks:

Chocolate-covered pretzels
Yogurt-covered pretzels
Candy-coated popcorn
Caramel corn

4. Chocolate-Covered Fruit

For a healthier option that still satisfies the sweet tooth, include:

Dark chocolate cherries
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Milk chocolate-filled raspberries

5. Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit adds color, flavor, and a refreshing balance to the desserts:

Grapes
Fresh berries
Apple, pear, and orange slices
Dried, candied, or dehydrated fruits

6. Sweet Dips

Elevate your board with delicious dips:

Marshmallow Dip: A fluffy, sweet dip that pairs perfectly with fruit and cookies.
Caramel Sauce: Rich and creamy, perfect for apples and graham crackers.
Chocolate Ganache: An indulgent dip for strawberries or pretzels.
Fruit Dip: This is the perfect sweet dip for fresh fruit on a dessert board.

7. Cheese

Incorporating cheese adds a unique flavor and texture contrast:

Choose soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese to balance the sweetness of the desserts.

8. Dried Fruit, Candied Fruit, and Dehydrated Fruit

All of these look beautiful on a platter. Candied fruit can be found in the snack aisles of your local grocery store. We love the different textures and flavors these fruits bring to a platter.

Candied oranges
Candied pineapple
Dehydrated strawberries
Dried orange slices

Store-Bought Treats for Your Dessert Charcuterie Board

Adding store-bought treats to your dessert charcuterie board makes it so much easier to put together while still looking and tasting incredible! Here are a few of my favorite healthier options to include:

Vegan and Gluten Free Options

For vegan options, include dairy-free chocolate, vegan cookies, fresh fruit, nut butter, and energy balls made from nuts and dates.

Opt for gluten-free cookies, rice cakes, popcorn, and naturally gluten-free items like fresh fruits, nuts, and dark chocolate for gluten-free choices.

Chocolate dip on a candy platter with fruit and caramels.

How to Assemble a Dessert Charcuterie Board

Choose Your Base: A large wooden board or platter is your foundation.

Layer Larger Items First: Begin by placing larger treats like cakes or pies in focal points, then add height with small stands or bowls.

Arrange by Color and Texture: Group items by color for visual appeal and mix textures to keep it interesting (smooth, crunchy, creamy).

Fill Gaps with Smaller Items: Use candies, nuts, or popcorn to fill in empty spaces and create a cohesive look.

Add Dips and Garnishes: Include small bowls of sweet dips and garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers for an elegant touch.

Chocolate truffles and caramels on a charcuterie platter for dessert.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

Prepare shelf-stable items in advance: Items like cookies, chocolates, candies, and nuts can be arranged on your board up to 24 hours before your event. Cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Time your fresh elements: Fresh fruits should be washed, sliced, and prepped the day of your event for optimal freshness. Store them in separate containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to add them to your board.
Prepare dips strategically: Sweet dips like chocolate ganache or caramel can be made 1-2 days in advance and refrigerated in airtight containers. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving, or gently warm if needed.
Add temperature-sensitive items last: Chocolate-dipped items, fresh berries, and ice cream or other frozen treats should be added just before serving to prevent melting or condensation.
Consider a staged approach: For longer events, consider creating a base board with shelf-stable items, then refreshing with new batches of temperature-sensitive treats throughout the gathering.

Storage

If you have leftovers from your dessert board, proper storage will help maintain freshness and prevent waste.

Store cookies and baked goods in airtight containers at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Chocolate and candy can be stored in sealed containers for up to two weeks.
Fresh fruit should be refrigerated in separate containers and consumed within 1-2 days.
Refrigerate dips in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
For chocolate-dipped fruits, consume within 24 hours for best quality, as they tend to weep and lose their texture when stored.

Serving Guide

Here’s a helpful guide to ensure you have enough sweet treats for everyone at your gathering. The amounts will vary depending on whether you’re serving your dessert board as the main dessert or alongside other sweet options.

6 Guests – Prepare about 6-8 cups of dessert items total, including a mix of cookies, candies, fruits, and dips.
10 Guests – You will need about 10-12 cups of assorted treats.
20 Guests – Plan for approximately 20-25 cups of treats to ensure everyone gets plenty of options.

A good rule of thumb is to provide 1-2 cups of dessert items per guest if this is your main dessert offering. If you’re serving alongside other desserts, aim for ½-1 cup per person.

For a more balanced board, try to include:

3-4 different types of cookies or baked goods
2-3 varieties of chocolate items or candies
1-2 types of fresh fruit 1-2 dips or sauces
A small amount of nuts or salty items for contrast

Remember that bite-sized treats work best so guests can sample a variety of flavors without feeling overwhelmed!

Cookie wafers and cookies served on a platter for dessert.

Eden’s Tips for a Beautiful Dessert Board

Choose the right board: You can serve a dessert charcuterie board on a large wooden cutting board, marble slab, or any flat serving platter you have at home. Try a board shaped like a heart, pumpkin, or tree to match your theme for a festive touch. Make sure it’s big enough to fit all your treats and easy for guests to grab.

Mix textures and heights: Create visual interest by including items with different textures—crunchy cookies, soft truffles, chewy caramels, and crisp fruit. Use small bowls or cake stands to add height variation across your board.

Follow a color scheme: For the most Instagram-worthy dessert board, choose treats that follow a complementary color palette. Seasonal colors work beautifully—pastels for spring, bright colors for summer, oranges and reds for fall, and red and green for winter.

Balance sweet and savory: Include a few salty elements like pretzels or nuts to balance the sweetness and keep your palate interested. The contrast makes the sweet treats taste even better!

Provide serving tools: Add small tongs, spoons, or cocktail picks to make it easy for guests to serve themselves, especially for messier items like chocolate-dipped fruit or sticky caramels.

Consider temperature: Place temperature-sensitive items like chocolate-covered treats or fresh berries on the board last to prevent melting or sweating, especially during warmer months or if your board will be out for a while.

Label special items: If you have homemade specialties or treats that contain common allergens like nuts, consider adding small labels to identify them for your guests.

When to Serve a Dessert Charcuterie Board

Here are some perfect occasions to showcase your dessert charcuterie board:

Holiday Gatherings: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or Halloween
Milestone Celebrations: Birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations
Movie Night or Game Night
Bridal Shower or Baby Shower
Cocktail Party: Pair with a signature cocktail for extra flair!
Book Club Meeting
Dessert Bar at a wedding or special event

Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas and Themes

When planning a party, my first advice is to pick a theme. Choosing a theme makes it so much more fun! Here are some ideas for themed dessert boards:

Thanksgiving Desserts Platter: Inspired by fall, this platter is filled with chocolate-covered turkeys, fruit, and beautiful fall treats. Serve it with a stunning Thanksgiving appetizer platter.

Easter Dessert Platter: We lay down on this platter with an edible straw before adding all the incredible spring candy and Easter bunnies!

Valentine’s Day: Make a romantic board with pink and red candy, chocolate-shaped hearts, and cookies!

Halloween Dessert Platter: This dessert platter has all the best Halloween candy, cookies, and fruit! Fill it with spooky items, like gummy brains and Halloween jello shots. Keep the colors green, orange, purple, and black to match the theme. Serve it with our Halloween cheese platter.

Mother’s Day: Make mini mom cakes for the middle of the board and then fill the board with treats and delicious, colorful candy.

Dessert charcuterie with cookies and nuts and chocolate-covered fruit.

More Platters and Boards You’ll Love

I would love to hear how your dessert charcuterie board turns out! Leave a comment and let me know your favorite combinations or tag me on social media with your beautiful boards.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties!

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Dessert Charcuterie Board

Dessert Charcuterie Board

Why You’ll Love These Dessert Board Ideas