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!
I love hosting parties, 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 this time, I decided to create a sweet charcuterie board to go with it.
Why a Dessert Charcuterie Board?
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.
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:
- Sugar cookies
- Meringue cookies
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Wafer cookies
- Spritz cookies
- Rice Krispie treats
- Marshmallows
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.
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:
How to Assembling 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! 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.
Yes! Here’s how:
Prep Ahead: Make cookies, candies, and fruits a day or two in advance; store them in airtight containers.
Assemble Before Serving: For freshness, assemble the board just before serving.
Refrigerate: Keep perishable items, like dips and chocolate-covered fruit, in the fridge until ready to display.
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.
Serving Size Suggestions
As a general rule:
- For small gatherings (under 12 people): Aim for 1-2 cups of candy and desserts per person.
- For larger groups (over 12 people): Plan for 1 cup of candy and dessert per person, adjusting based on additional dessert options.
If you have leftovers, store them in Tupperware or Ziploc bags for later enjoyment!
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.
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
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.
- 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.
What a fun and great idea! 🙂