Learn how to assemble a dessert charcuterie board with sweet treats and dips. It’s a fun DIY dessert board perfect for get-togethers.
What Is a Dessert Charcuterie Board?
A dessert charcuterie board is an array of sweet dips, cookies, fruit, and other treats, beautifully arranged on a board or platter. It’s a fun twist on the traditional charcuterie board dating back to the 15th century in France. Charcuterie boards have evolved from the original board of meats and cheeses to a variety of finger foods and themes. Savory or sweet, charcuterie boards are loved for parties and get-togethers.
How to Make a Dessert Charcuterie Board
Dessert charcuterie boards are wonderfully straightforward to make. All it takes is assembling the dips and sweets. In no time, you’ll have a statement dessert ready to serve with no baking required!
- Prepare the bowls: Place the small bowls with dip on different parts on the board.
- Assemble the board: Place the cookies, chocolates, and berries in groups around the dips.
Dips & Treats To Include
The best part about dessert charcuterie boards (besides being delicious) is that they are entirely customizable. Feel free to include homemade treats made from scratch, store-bought desserts, or even use up leftover goodies in the pantry. For a visually appealing board, offer desserts and dips with various colors and textures.
Dips
To satisfy everyone’s palate, include a minimum of two different flavored dips with your dessert charcuterie board.
- Nutella: This chocolate hazelnut spread is perfect for dipping berries and other treats.
- Caramel sauce: Elevate the dessert board with our creamy and easy instant pot dulce de leche.
- Chocolate ganache: This delicious chocolate ganache dip is perfect for fruits, pretzels, and cookies.
- Jam: Fruit jams such as our easy raspberry jam or apricot jam pair well with cookies and add a beautiful pop of color.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter tastes great with pretzels, apples, and many other treats.
Treats
A great dessert charcuterie board consists of a mixture of creamy, crunchy, light, and decadent treat options. The different textures and flavors create a spectacular dessert board.
- Candy: Use an assortment of candies with different flavors and sizes. Chocolate, fruity, or even sour candies all work.
- Cookies: Cookies are the perfect addition and the possibilities are endless. A few homemade favorites include chocolate salami, dulce de leche sandwich cookies, and meringue cookies.
- Macarons: Macarons are a delicate and crunchy treat. Buy them or make our perfect French macarons, coffee macarons, or chocolate macarons.
- Fruit: Fresh fruit adds color and pairs well with the sweetness of the desserts. Strawberries, raspberries, apple slices, oranges slices, and grapes are great options.
- Nuts: Use roasted or candied nuts for a crunchy, nutty treat.
- Pretzels: Pretzels are perfect with the dips for a sweet and salty combination.
- Biscotti: Our chocolate biscotti or cranberry almond biscotti are delicious additions to the dessert board.
- Truffles: Make these easy cream cheese chocolate truffles or chocolate raspberry truffles for a creamy textured dessert option.
- Graham crackers: Graham crackers are great to dip into a variety of flavored dips.
- Scones: The best blueberry scones or grandma’s strawberry scones are a melt-in-your-mouth, scrumptious dessert option.
Tips for a Beautiful Dessert Board
Follow these tips and your guests will certainly be “wowed” when they see your beautiful dessert charcuterie board.
- Use a statement board: Wooden or marble boards create a picture-perfect base for the sweets. We also love using these slate boards.
- Place the dip into small bowls: Put the dips in small bowls (even if they came in a store-bought container) for an elevated look. Assemble the bowls in an “s” or triangular shape across the board to make it even prettier.
- Arrange the items from largest to smallest: Starting with the larger items, arrange them at various angles around the dips. Then fill the gaps with medium and smaller treats such as candy, nuts, or berries.
- Include utensils: Offer dessert forks or toothpicks for easier grabbing.
Make Ahead
Save time before a gathering or party, and prep the dessert charcuterie board in advance. Assemble the whole board or prepare and store the dips and treats separately for later assembly.
- Assemble the whole dessert board: Arrange the dips and sweets on the board. Wrap the board in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge or at room temperature — depending on the sweets and dips used. For fresh and crisp fruits, keep them separate and add them to the platter right before serving.
- Prepare the treats: Store the prepared fruit, dips, and portioned treats in separate containers. Then pull out the prepared treats for quick assembly right before serving.
FAQ
How do you calculate portions for a charcuterie board?
To calculate portions, aim for about one cup of sweets per person. Use smaller portion sizes if other dessert options are served along with the dessert charcuterie board.
Can you make a themed charcuterie board?
Yes, a charcuterie board can be made into any theme. For a food theme, choose a variety of meats, cheeses, desserts, and/or breakfast foods. Or make a holiday/special occasion themed board such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, movie night, or even for a super-bowl party.
How do you arrange a simple charcuterie board?
To arrange a simple charcuterie board, start by placing the dips on the board. Then set the food items from largest to smallest around the dips.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
- Fruit Charcuterie Board — Fresh fruits and dips perfect for a light treat
- Easy Panna Cotta — A refreshing and delicious Italian dessert
- Chocolate Coffee Mousse Dessert — A moist cake with creamy chocolate mousse
- Strawberry Jello Poke Cake — Colorful strawberry cake is always a favorite
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Nutella
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
- 1/3 cup condensed milk
- 1 lb cookies
- 1 lb chocolate
- 1 lb berries
Instructions
- Start by placing your favorite dips in small bowls on different parts of the board.
- Place cookies, chocolates, and berries in groups around the dips. Enjoy.
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