How to Make A Dessert Charcuterie Board

If you’re looking for an easy dessert that will wow your guests, look no further than a dessert charcuterie board! This is the easiest dessert you’ll ever make, and it’s sure to please all of your guests. So next time you make epic cheese boards, add a dessert board with it!

I love hosting parties, and I firmly believe that the key to a successful party is sweet and savory snacks. I normally serve a beautiful cheese board and decided to create my own sweet charcuterie board. The board was a total hit and it also acted as a beautiful centerpiece!

It was full of an assortment of sweet treats, from cookies and candies to mini cupcakes and fresh fruit. My guests loved being able to customize their own sweet treats, and it made for a really fun party.

I’m already planning my next charcuterie board, and I can’t wait to see what tasty treats I come up with next!

What is dessert charcuterie?

Dessert charcuterie is a board full of sweet treats that is perfect for any party or gathering. It’s the perfect dessert for those who don’t want to bake or make anything from scratch. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover candy or cookies you have!

What to Put on a Dessert Charcuterie Board

The sky is the limit when it comes to what you can put on a dessert charcuterie board. However, some of our favorite items include:

Candy

Candy is a good choice for a dessert platter because it’s colorful, flavorful, and easy to find. Here are some ideas:

Chocolate bars, small caramels, gummy bears, mini candy bars, fluffy marshmallows, chocolate truffles, Snickers, M&Ms, peanut butter cups, Kit Kats.

Cookies

Who doesn’t love cookies? They’re a good choice for a dessert platter because they’re sweet, crunchy, and easy to eat. They also come in all different sizes and shapes to go with the platter. Here are some ideas:

Sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, wafer cookies, coconut macaroons, meringue puffs, spritz cookies, graham crackers, brownie bites, and palmier cookies.

Popcorn and Pretzels

Popcorn is a great addition to a dessert board because it’s a light, crunchy, and salty snack. We also love to add pretzels to the board for dipping. Here are some suggestions:

Chocolate-dipped pretzels rods, yogurt-covered pretzels, caramel, or candy-coated popcorn. 

Chocolate Covered Fruit

Chocolate-covered fruit is somewhat of a healthier option that still satisfies your sweet tooth. The chocolate helps to balance out the sweetness of the fruit, and it’s a great way to get your daily dose of antioxidants! Here are some options:

Dark chocolate cherries, chocolate-covered strawberries, milk chocolate-filled raspberries.

Fresh Fruit

A great addition to a dessert charcuterie board because it adds color, flavor, and texture. The sweetness of the fruit pairs well with the sweetness of the dessert, and the freshness of the fruit helps to balance out the richness of the dessert. Plus, it’s a healthy option for your guests! Here are some suggestions:

Grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, berries, grapes, apple slices or pears, and orange slices.

Dried Fruit, Candied Fruit, and Dehydrated Fruit

All of these look beautiful on a platter. You can find candied fruit in the snack aisles of your local grocery store. We love the different textures and flavors these fruits bring to a platter too. Here are some suggestions:

Candied oranges, candied pineapple, dehydrated strawberries, and dried orange slices.

Nuts and Brittle

Nuts and brittle are great additions to a dessert charcuterie board because they provide a crunchy texture and a variety of flavors. Here are some suggestions:

Candied nuts, roasted nuts, and candy brittle. 

Chocolate or Caramel Dip

It’s all about the dips! Dips add more flavor and fun to a dessert platter. Made sure you have enough fresh fruit to dip! See more of our dipping recommendations below.

Cheese

There are a few reasons why cheese is a great addition to a dessert charcuterie board. First, it adds another layer of flavor and texture.

Second, it helps to balance out the sweetness of the dessert.

Third, it gives your guests something to nibble on in between all the sweets.

Boards and Bowls

As you can see, there are endless possibilities for boards and platters. I personally like to use my medium, marble platter, or a large wooden cutting board. 

I prefer using a circle shape, but you can use any shape of the platter you want. You can even use animal shapes, tree shapes, or the shape of your state!  

A wooden board gives the dessert charcuterie board a rustic feel and a marble board gives it a more elegant feel.

If you want to use bowls, I recommend using small wooden or marble bowls with small spoons. This way your guests can easily grab what they want and put it on their plate.

How to Make a Dessert Charcuterie Board in 4 Steps

Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, it’s time to assemble your board. Start by placing the candy and cookies around the edge of the board. Then, fill in the middle with fresh fruit. If you’re using chocolate or caramel dip, place that in the center

First, choose a variety of candy, cookies, fresh fruit, and chocolate or caramel dip.

Add the dips into small bowls and arrange them on the platter first. 

Next, place the larger candy and cookies around the board. 

Add the smaller items like nuts and berries last to fill in any holes and gaps. 

Tips for Making A Dessert Board

• Try to use a variety of colors and textures to make the board more visually appealing.

• If you’re using fresh fruit, consider adding a few skewered fruits for easy grabbing.

• Place colors that complement each other next to each other.

• Use a variety of heights to add dimension to the board.

• Don’t forget to include a few dessert forks or toothpicks so that guests can easily grab the items on the board.

All About the Dips!

If you’re looking for something to really take your dessert charcuterie board to the next level, try adding some dessert dips! Chocolate and caramel are always a hit, but you can really use any type of dip you like. 

Marshmallow Dip – A fluffy, sweet dip that is perfect for dipping fruit, cookies, or pretzels. This is our tried and true recipe, and we always make it! It works perfectly and it’s great for desserts.

Caramel Sauce – A rich, creamy caramel sauce that is perfect for dipping apples, pears, or graham crackers.

Chocolate Ganache – A rich, chocolate dip that is perfect for dipping strawberries, graham crackers, or pretzels.

Peanut Butter Dip – A creamy, peanut butter dip that is perfect for dipping apples, bananas, or graham crackers.

Nutella Dip – A rich, chocolate hazelnut dip. This is one of our favorite dips for desserts. Nutella is so creamy and the flavor of hazelnuts and chocolate together is perfection!

How to Store a Dessert Charcuterie Board

If you have any leftovers, store the dessert charcuterie board in the fridge. However, remember that the fruit will start to brown after a few hours. So, if you’re looking to save the board for later, it’s best to eat it within a few hours.

Make-Ahead

If you want to make the dessert ahead of time you can! We recommend that you arrange the dips and candy on the board, but wait to add any sliced fruit or berries. 

Wash and prep the berries and fruit but don’t add them to the board until you’re ready to serve. 

These can be the last items added to the platter. 

When you make this ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap or tin foil and leave it on the counter, at room temperature. Leave the fruit in the refrigerator, then add to the platter later.

Themed Dessert Boards

When planning a party, the first piece of advice I give is to pick a theme. There is nothing better than having them to play off of when planning food, drinks, and decor! It just makes everything so much fun.

So, when it comes to dessert platters I love making themed boards, for holidays or specific celebrations. 

Thanksgiving Desserts Platter – Inspired by fall, this platter is filled with chocolate-covered turkeys, fruit, and beautiful fall treats.

Easter Dessert Platter – We use an edible straw to lay down on this platter before adding all of the incredible spring candy and Easter bunnies!

Valentine’s Day – Make a romantic board with pink and red candy and a lot of chocolate-shaped hearts and cookies!

Halloween Dessert Platter – This Halloween dessert platter has all of the best Halloween candy, cookies, and fruit! Fill it with spooky items too, 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!

Christmas Dessert Board – Layer red, white and green candy in the shape of a tree for a festive holiday board. 

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Platter – This is a fun dessert platter for the holidays!

Mother’s Day Brunch Dessert Board – Think about spring desserts like macarons, mini blueberry muffins, and a lot of fresh fruit! 

Chocolate Charcuterie Board – Make this a chocolate lover’s dream! Fill it with truffles, chocolate cookies, and chocolate bars. Dip the fruit in chocolate for a yummy treat.

Here are some more ideas for themed dessert platters you can make: 

Birthday Party Board – It’s all about the sprinkles and rainbow colors for this board! Mini sprinkle cupcakes, macarons, rainbow lollipops, colorful taffy, and candied citrus!

Cookie Platter – Fill this platter with all different types of cookies! Don’t forget to serve it with milk! 

Chocolate Fondue Board – Add a large bowl of melted chocolate in the middle and then layer fresh fruit, marshmallows, and other dipping items. 

When to Serve a Dessert Charcuterie Board

A dessert charcuterie board is perfect for any occasion or small gathering. We especially like making them for the holiday season! Here are a few ideas:

• Birthdays – Include mini cupcakes, funfetti brownies, and lots of sprinkles on this platter!

• Baby Showers and Bridal Showers – Do something fun like a color theme for a baby or bridal shower.

• Cookies and Cocktail Party – One of my favorite boards is a large cookie dessert platter!

• Christmas Parties and New Year’s Eve Parties – Fill it with festive holiday candy and treats.

• Super Bowl Parties – This is always a fun and easy dessert to bring to a Super Bowl party. Get creative and add fun football-themed desserts.

• Movie Night -Serve the best “movie candy” with delicious popcorn.

• Wine and Cheese Party – Have a small dessert platter filled with chocolate to complement a wine and cheese platter.

What to Serve with Dessert Boards

If you’re serving a dessert charcuterie board as part of a larger party, we recommend pairing it with some savory snacks and appetizers. This way, your guests will have something to nibble on in between all of the sweets! 

You can serve it with a fruit and cheese platter for another easy dessert.

We also recommend serving it with something special to drink. Our choice is Prosecco. There is something refreshing about the crisp bubbles. 

You can also serve it with any red or white wine or a delicious, seasonal cocktail depending on the time of year.

How much candy and desserts do I need per person?

This will depend on how many people you’re serving and what else you’re serving. 

As a general rule, we recommend:

• For a small group (under 12 people), we recommend one to two cups of candy and dessert per person. 

• For a larger group (over 12 people), we recommend one cup of candy and dessert per person. 

• If you’re serving other dessert options, we recommend having less candy and dessert per person. 

• If you’re not serving any other dessert options, we recommend having more candy and dessert per person.

• If you have leftovers, you can store them in Tupperware or ziplock bags. Extra treas always come in handy!

How much do dessert charcuterie boards cost?

This will depend on how many people you’re serving and what kind of candy and dessert you use. As a general rule, we recommend budgeting $50 for a dessert board that will serve 12-15 people. 

We also love ALDI and Trader Joe’s for affordable treats! You can also find some great deals on candy items at your local dollar store.

Let us know your thoughts!

The key to a great dessert charcuterie board is to have a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. Use a mix of store-bought candies, baked goods, and even a few homemade items. 

This is the easiest dessert you’ll ever make, and your guests are sure to love it. So next time you’re looking for a dessert that will impress, try making a dessert charcuterie board!

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