Dessert Boards with Themed Snacks

Featured in: Global Heat

Bring together cookies, brownie bites, chocolates, candies, and fresh fruits for a visually exciting dessert board. Start by selecting a large board or platter and placing bowls for spreads and dips. Arrange baked treats, fruits, and themed snacks in eye-catching groups, then fill gaps with popcorn and marshmallows. Add edible glitter or sprinkles for a finishing touch. This customizable spread is ideal for holidays, parties, or game nights, and can be adapted with vegan or gluten-free options. Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or sparkling drinks for a memorable gathering where guests help themselves with tongs and napkins.

Updated on Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:07:00 GMT
A beautifully arranged dessert board with themed snacks for festive gatherings.  Save
A beautifully arranged dessert board with themed snacks for festive gatherings. | pepperplume.com

A festive, visually stunning arrangement of sweet treats and themed snacks creates an unforgettable centerpiece for holidays, parties, or game nights. This vibrant dessert board is designed for sharing and delights guests with its customizable selection.

I first made a dessert board for a family game night, and it instantly turned the evening into a celebration—everyone loved sampling a little bit of everything!

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, ½ cup festive sprinkles or edible glitter (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Base:
Choose a large wooden board, platter, or tray as your base.
Set Up Dips:
Place bowls or ramekins on the board for dips, spreads, and loose candies.
Arrange Baked Treats:
Arrange cookies, brownie bites, and cupcakes in small groups around the board.
Add Chocolates & Candies:
Fill empty spaces with chocolates, candies, and themed treats.
Add Fruits:
Fan out fresh fruits in colorful sections for visual appeal.
Finish with Extras:
Add popcorn, marshmallows, and extra garnishes to fill any gaps.
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.
Colorful dessert boards showcasing sweet treats and fruits for game night fun.  Save
Colorful dessert boards showcasing sweet treats and fruits for game night fun. | pepperplume.com

Sharing dessert boards has become a tradition for our family gatherings. Every time we bring out a new themed board, everyone gets excited to see (and taste) the variety.

Required Tools

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

Allergen Information

Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on chosen treats. Check labels and adapt for allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 350. Total Fat: 15 g. Carbohydrates: 50 g. Protein: 4 g (per serving).

Indulge in this stunning dessert board filled with cookies, chocolates, and fruits. Save
Indulge in this stunning dessert board filled with cookies, chocolates, and fruits. | pepperplume.com

Sprinkle edible glitter for a touch of magic, and watch your guests light up with delight as they dive into the treats.

Recipe FAQ

How do I customize the dessert board for different themes?

Select cookies, candies, and decor in holiday colors or team motifs. Use themed sprinkles and swap snacks based on the occasion.

Can I make this board allergy-friendly?

Yes, choose gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free treats. Always check ingredient labels and offer allergy-friendly alternatives.

What fruits work best for the arrangement?

Strawberries, grapes, and apple slices add color and pair well with sweet treats. Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.

What dips pair well with the sweets?

Chocolate fondue, hazelnut spread, and marshmallow fluff are crowd favorites. Vanilla yogurt dip offers a lighter option.

How far in advance can I prepare the board?

Arrange dry items ahead of time, but add fresh fruit and garnishes just before serving to keep everything fresh and visually appealing.

What drinks complement this dessert board?

Offer hot chocolate, coffee, or sparkling wine for adults. These beverages pair nicely with sweet and fruity flavors.

Dessert Boards with Themed Snacks

Colorful sweets and snacks arranged for fun gatherings, easy to customize and perfect for sharing.

Prep duration
30 min
0
Complete duration
30 min
Created by Isabella Flores


Complexity Easy

Heritage International

Output 10 Portions

Diet considerations Meat-free

Components

Cookies & Baked Treats

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

Chocolates & Candies

01 1 cup assorted chocolates such as truffles or individually wrapped candies
02 1 cup M&Ms or themed candy-coated chocolates

Fresh Fruits

01 1 cup strawberries, halved
02 1 cup seedless grapes
03 1 cup apple slices 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 0.5 cup festive sprinkles or edible glitter for garnish

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare the Serving Base: Select a large wooden board, platter, or tray as the foundation for your arrangement.

Phase 02

Position Dips and Loose Candies: Set small bowls or ramekins on the board to hold dips, spreads, and candy pieces.

Phase 03

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

Phase 04

Fill with Chocolates and Themed Snacks: Distribute assorted chocolates, M&Ms, and other themed treats to fill empty spaces.

Phase 05

Add Fresh Fruits: Fan out strawberries, grapes, and apple slices in visually appealing sections for vibrant color.

Phase 06

Incorporate Popcorn, Marshmallows, and Garnishes: Place popcorn, mini marshmallows, and sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles over the board as accents.

Phase 07

Serve the Board: Offer small tongs, spoons, plates, and napkins for convenient serving and sharing.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional health advice if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat, milk, egg, soy, and possibly nuts depending on treat selection.
  • Always read labels and offer allergy-friendly alternatives as needed.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 350
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Proteins: 4 g