How to Make A Simple Dessert Charcuterie Board

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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 a fun way to combine all of your favorite treats. It’s perfect for any celebration and pairs nicely with an impressive cheese platter.

Do you love a themed board? Check out my Christmas dessert board, Halloween charcuterie board, or hot chocolate board.

Dessert charcuterie board filled with cookies and candy.

​I love hosting parties and firmly believe that sweet and savory snacks are the key to a successful party. I usually serve a beautiful cheese board, but I decided to create my sweet charcuterie board. The board was a total hit and acted as a gorgeous centerpiece!

The board was full of sweet treats, from cookies and candies to mini cupcakes and fresh fruit. My guests loved being able to customize their sweet treats, and it made for an enjoyable party.

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

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:

Candy

Candy is a good choice for a dessert platter because it’s colorful, flavorful, and easy store-bought treats. Here are some ideas:

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

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 different sizes and shapes to go with the platter. Here are some ideas:

Popcorn and Pretzels

Popcorn is an excellent 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 dip on a candy platter with fruit and caramels.

Chocolate Covered Fruit

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

Fresh Fruit

Fruit is an excellent 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 helps balance the richness. Plus, it’s a healthy option for your guests! Here are some suggestions: 

  • Grapes
  • Fresh Berries 
  • Apple slices, Pears, and Orange slices

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. 

Dips

If you want to elevate your dessert charcuterie board, add dessert dips! Nutella and caramel are always a hit, but you can use any dip. 

  • Marshmallow Dip – A fluffy, sweet dip 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—This rich, creamy caramel sauce is perfect for dipping apples, pears, or graham crackers.
  • Chocolate GanacheThis rich chocolate dip is perfect for dipping strawberries, graham crackers, or pretzels.

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.
Chocolate truffles and caramels on a charcuterie platter for dessert.

Expert Tips for Making A Dessert Board

Use different colors and different textures to make the board more visually appealing.

Add fresh fruit to skewers for easy grabbing.

Use small bowls to keep candy from rolling off the board. I recommend using small wooden or marble bowls with tiny spoons. 

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

Be mindful of how many people you are serving. I like to have 3/4 to 1 cup or more per person.

Make goodie bags for leftovers. 

Cookie wafers and cookies served on a platter for dessert.

More Themed Dessert Board Ideas

When planning a party, my first advice is to pick a theme. Nothing is better than having a theme to play off of when preparing 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. There are endless possibilities for boards and platters. 

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.

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

Serving Recommendations 

A dessert charcuterie board is perfect for any occasion or small gathering. I especially like making it for the holiday season! They’re great for:

  • Birthdays – Include mini cupcakes, funfetti brownies, and lots of sprinkles on this platter! 
  • Baby Showers and Bridal Showers—Do something fun, like a baby or bridal shower color theme. 
  • Movie Night -Serve the best “movie candy” with delicious popcorn. 

Serve it with snacks and appetizers so your guests have something to nibble on between the sweets. A fruit and cheese platter is a great choice. 

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

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

Leave a comment and review below, and let me know your thoughts. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties!

dessert charcuterie board

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!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

Candy

  • 1/4 cup chocolate-covered cherries
  • 8 truffles
  • 6 caramels

Cookies

  • 10 chocolate chip cookies
  • 10 lemon cookies
  • 10 wafer cookies
  • 6 meringue cookies
  • 15 chocolate covered pretzels
  • 6 palmier cookies

Fruit

  • 6 whole candied orange slices
  • 8 whole strawberries, sliced
  • 8 dehydrated strawberries
  • 1/4 cup blueberries
  • 1/4 cup blackberries

Nuts

  • 1/4 cup candied walnuts
  • 1/4 cup pecans

Instructions

  • Add the dips into small bowls and arrange them on the platter first. 
    chocolate dip in a small marble bowl
  • Next, place the larger candy and cookies around the board. 
    cookies and dips on a platter
  • Add the smaller items like nuts and berries last to fill in any holes and gaps. 
    dessert board filled with candy and chocolate

Notes

When making a dessert board, use this as a guide rather than a recipe. You can add anything you like. 
Make-Ahead Tips
You can make the dessert ahead of time! We recommend arranging the dips and candy on the board, but wait to add sliced fruit or berries. 
Wash and prep the berries and fruit, but wait to 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. Then, leave the fruit in the refrigerator and add it to the platter later.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
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A dessert charcuterie platter filled with candy and treats for a party.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dessert charcuterie?

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

This idea comes from a traditional charcuterie board, a platter filled with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, and other small bites. The word “charcuterie” refers to preparing and assembling cured meats. Still, it has now expanded to include various foods on a board.

How much candy and desserts do I need per person?

This will depend on how many people you serve and what else you’re serving. 
As a general rule, I recommend:
For a small group (under 12 people), I recommend one to two cups of candy and dessert per person. 
For a larger group (over 12 people), I recommend one cup of candy and dessert per person. 
Have less candy and dessert per person if you serve other dessert options. 
However, if you’re not serving 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 treats always come in handy!

How much do dessert charcuterie boards cost?

This will depend on how many people you serve and what kind of candy and dessert you use. I recommend budgeting $50 for a dessert board serving 12-15 people. 
ALDI and Trader Joe’s for affordable treats, and your local dollar store can offer great deals on candy.

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