Pin it!A dessert charcuterie board is a cheese board's sweet cousin: cookies, brownies, chocolate, candy and fresh berries laid out in generous groups so everyone can graze. It is the easiest party dessert there is, because almost everything is store-bought and the board comes together in about 15 minutes.
Below are 15 dessert charcuterie board ideas for birthdays, showers, movie nights and any party, from a classic dessert board and a chocolate lover's board to a s'mores board, a strawberry shortcake board, an ice cream sundae topping board and a birthday board. Every board lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.
Classic dessert boards
1. Classic Dessert Charcuterie Board
Pin it!Cookies, brownie bites, chocolate pretzels, berries and three dips, the dessert board that works for any party. Serves 12.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 10 chocolate chip cookies
- 10 brownie bites
- 14 chocolate-covered pretzels
- 10 shortbread cookies
- 8 strawberries
- 3 oz raspberries
- 3 oz blueberries
- 3 oz dark chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
- 6 oz candy-coated chocolates
- 1/2 cup chocolate dip, in a small bowl
- 1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread, in a small bowl
- 1/2 cup caramel dip, in a small bowl
How to make it
- Set the three dip bowls in three corners of the board.
- Lay the cookies, brownie bites, pretzels and shortbread in large groups.
- Add the strawberries, raspberries and blueberries between them.
- Fill every gap with chocolate pieces and candy.
My recommended tip: Cut a few slices or crumble a corner of each cheese before guests arrive. It shows how each cheese should be served and makes people less shy about digging in.
Where to get it
Chocolate dip and caramel dip are often in the produce section near the strawberries and apples.
2. Chocolate Lover's Board
Pin it!Dark, milk and white chocolate in every form: bars, truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels and almonds, brownies and a chocolate dip. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 3 oz dark chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
- 3 oz milk chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
- 3 oz white chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
- 12 chocolate truffles
- 7 brownie squares (about 2 inches)
- 16 chocolate-covered pretzels
- 4 oz chocolate-covered almonds
- 7 chocolate sandwich cookies
- 17 strawberries
- 4 oz raspberries
- 1/2 cup chocolate dip, in a small bowl
How to make it
- Set the chocolate dip bowl on the board first.
- Lay the three chocolates in separate piles so guests can taste the difference.
- Add the truffles, brownies, pretzels, almonds and cookies in groups.
- Tuck the strawberries and raspberries in between; their color makes all the chocolate pop.
3. Cookie Board
Pin it!Five kinds of cookies in rows with milk-friendly dips and berries, for a cookie party or a bake sale. Serves 12.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 7 chocolate chip cookies
- 8 sugar cookies with sprinkles
- 6 oatmeal raisin cookies
- 8 snickerdoodles
- 8 chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread, in a small bowl
- 12 strawberries
- 8 oz blueberries
How to make it
- Set the chocolate-hazelnut spread bowl on the board.
- Lay each kind of cookie in its own overlapping row.
- Fill the spaces between the rows with strawberries and blueberries.
My tip: My sweets board mixed sugar, chocolate chip and gingerbread cookies with mini cupcakes and candy.
4. S'mores Board
Pin it!Graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate and fun swaps like peanut butter cups and cookies, ready for a fire pit or the oven. Serves 8.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 12 graham cracker sheets, broken in half
- 20 large marshmallows
- 2 milk chocolate bars (1.5 oz each), broken into squares
- 13 peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- 10 chocolate chip cookies
- 8 strawberries
- 10 long roasting sticks
How to make it
- Pile the marshmallows in the middle of the board.
- Line the graham crackers along one side and the chocolate squares, peanut butter cups and cookies along the other.
- Add the strawberries and lay the roasting sticks beside the board.
- Toast marshmallows over a fire pit, or set graham cracker halves on a foil-lined sheet pan, top each with a marshmallow and broil on the top rack for 15 to 30 seconds, watching closely, then add the chocolate and the top cracker.
Why it works: Think classic s'mores: a crunchy graham cracker holding soft marshmallows and milk chocolate.
Where to get it
Graham crackers and marshmallows are in the baking aisle; peanut butter cups are in the candy aisle.
5. Brownie and Blondie Board
Pin it!Fudgy brownies and blondies cut into squares with berries, caramel and chocolate dips. Serves 12.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 1 pan brownies (8 x 8 inch), cut into 16 squares
- 1 pan blondies (8 x 8 inch), cut into 20 pieces (4 rows of 5)
- 14 strawberries, a few halved
- 6 oz raspberries
- 2 oz pecan halves
- 1/2 cup caramel dip, in a small bowl
- 1/2 cup chocolate dip, in a small bowl
How to make it
- Bake the brownies and blondies from boxed mixes as the boxes direct, or buy them from the bakery, and cool them completely before cutting.
- Cut the brownies into 16 squares and the blondies into 20 pieces, wiping the knife clean between cuts.
- Set the two dip bowls on the board and stack the brownies and blondies in alternating rows.
- Fill the gaps with the berries and pecans.
Party dessert boards
6. Mini Donut Board
Pin it!Powdered, glazed and chocolate mini donuts with berries and a chocolate dip. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 10 powdered sugar mini donuts
- 10 glazed mini donuts
- 10 chocolate-frosted mini donuts
- 12 strawberries
- 6 oz blueberries
- 1/2 cup chocolate dip, in a small bowl
How to make it
- Set the dip bowl on the board.
- Lay each kind of donut in its own row or pile.
- Fill the gaps with strawberries and blueberries.
Where to get it
Bags and boxes of mini donuts are in the bakery or near the bread.
7. Cheesecake Bites Board
Pin it!Bite-size cheesecake squares with berries, cherry pie filling and chocolate sauce for topping. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 16 cheesecake bites (frozen, thawed in the fridge)
- 10 strawberries
- 4 oz raspberries
- 4 oz blueberries
- 10 red grapes
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling, in a small bowl
- 1 cup chocolate fudge sauce, in 2 small bowls
- 8 large crinkle cookies
- 1 oz almonds and peanuts
How to make it
- Thaw the cheesecake bites in the fridge as the package directs.
- Set the cherry and chocolate bowls on the board and line up the cheesecake bites.
- Fill in with the berries, grapes, cookies and nuts.
- Keep it cold until serving; cheesecake shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours.
Where to get it
Frozen cheesecake bites are in the freezer dessert section at many stores; stock varies, so a whole cheesecake cut into 1-inch squares works too.
8. Rainbow Candy Board
Pin it!Candy in every color of the rainbow, packed in bold stripes, for a birthday or a kids party. Serves 15.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 6 oz red gummy bears
- 6 oz orange gumdrops
- 6 oz yellow gummy bears
- 6 oz green gummy frogs or green gumdrops
- 6 oz blue raspberry gummies
- 6 oz purple gumdrops
- 3 rainbow sour belts
How to make it
- Picture 6 stripes across the board, one for each color in rainbow order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.
- Fill each stripe with its candy, packing it tightly so no board shows and the edges between colors stay straight.
- Lay the sour belts along one edge.
Pro tip: Wrap leftover cheese in cheese paper, or in parchment or wax paper with a loose layer of foil over it, instead of tight plastic wrap. Eat leftover soft cheeses first, since they don't keep as long as firm, aged ones.
Where to get it
Single-color candy is easiest to find in the bulk candy section or the party aisle; stock varies, so match colors as closely as you can.
9. Strawberry Shortcake Board
Pin it!Pound cake, shortcake cups, strawberries and whipped cream so everyone builds their own shortcake. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 1/2 pound cake (about 8 oz), cut into 4 slices about 1 inch thick
- 10 sponge shortcake cups
- 14 strawberries (about 3/4 lb), 8 left whole and 6 halved
- 3 oz blueberries
- 1 cup whipped cream, in a bowl
- 8 round shortbread cookies
How to make it
- Set the whipped cream bowl on the board.
- Fan the pound cake slices and line up the shortcake cups.
- Add the whole and halved strawberries, blueberries and shortbread.
- Halve the strawberries close to serving, keep them and the whipped cream in the fridge until the board goes out, and don't leave them out more than 2 hours.
Where to get it
Pound cake and sponge shortcake cups are in the bakery or near the strawberries in the produce section.
10. Ice Cream Sundae Topping Board
Pin it!Every sundae topping on one board, cookies, candy, berries, sauces and sprinkles, set out next to the ice cream. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce, warmed, in a bowl
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce, in a bowl
- 8 chocolate sandwich cookies, some cut in half
- 6 oz candy-coated chocolates
- 6 oz mini peanut butter cups (about 20), a few cut in half
- 6 strawberries, halved
- 5 oz raspberries
- 20 maraschino cherries with stems, in 2 small bowls
- 3 tbsp rainbow sprinkles, in a small bowl
- 1 can whipped cream, kept in the fridge and served on the side
- 1 1/2 quarts vanilla ice cream, served on the side (keep it in the freezer until serving)
How to make it
- Set the fudge, caramel, sprinkle and two cherry bowls on the board.
- Add the cookies, candy, peanut butter cups and berries in groups.
- Set out bowls and scoop the ice cream right before serving, so only the toppings sit out.
Special-occasion dessert boards
11. Mini Cupcake Board
Pin it!Rows of mini cupcakes in three flavors with berries and candy, for a birthday or shower. Serves 12.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 12 mini vanilla cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles
- 12 mini chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips
- 12 mini vanilla cupcakes with white frosting and sprinkles
- 14 strawberries, a few halved
- 6 oz raspberries
- 4 oz candy-coated chocolates
- 1 oz chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp star sprinkles
How to make it
- Line up each flavor in its own row.
- Fill the spaces between the rows with the berries.
- Scatter the candy, a few chocolate chips and the star sprinkles into the last gaps.
Where to get it
Mini cupcakes are in many bakery sections; a boxed cake mix baked in a mini muffin tin and frosted works too.
12. Macaron and Berry Board
Pin it!Pastel macarons with berries, white chocolate and shortbread, a pretty board for a shower or tea party. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 24 macarons in 5 pastel colors (6 pink, 6 lavender, 3 green, 6 yellow and 3 white)
- 8 strawberries
- 3 oz raspberries
- 2 oz blueberries
- 3 oz white chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
- 6 round shortbread cookies
- 1/2 cup lemon curd, in a small bowl
How to make it
- Set the lemon curd bowl on the board.
- Line the macarons up in rows by color.
- Fill the spaces with berries, white chocolate and shortbread.
- Keep the macarons in the fridge until 15 minutes before serving.
Where to get it
Macarons are sold in some bakeries and in the frozen dessert section at some stores; stock varies, so check a local bakery if your store doesn't carry them.
13. Birthday Dessert Board
Pin it!A colorful board of sprinkle cookies, mini cupcakes, frosted animal cookies and candy, made for blowing out candles. Serves 12.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 12 sugar cookies with rainbow sprinkles
- 12 mini cupcakes with sprinkles
- 18 frosted animal cookies
- 8 oz candy-coated chocolates
- 17 strawberries
- 6 oz raspberries
- 6 oz blueberries
- 1 cup vanilla frosting, in 2 small bowls, for dipping
- 2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles, over the frosting
How to make it
- Set the two frosting bowls on the board and shake the sprinkles over them.
- Lay the cookies and cupcakes in groups.
- Fill in with the frosted animal cookies, candy and berries.
14. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Board
Pin it!Peanut butter cups, chocolate pretzels, cookies and a peanut butter dip for anyone who loves the combination. Serves 10.
What's on the board
- 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
- 11 peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- 14 chocolate-covered pretzels
- 12 peanut butter cookies
- 7 chocolate chip cookies
- 7 oz dark chocolate (2 bars), broken into pieces
- 8 oz honey-roasted peanuts
- 14 strawberries
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter mixed with 2 tbsp honey, in a small bowl
How to make it
- Stir the peanut butter and honey together until smooth and spoon it into the bowl.
- Set the bowl on the board and add the peanut butter cups, pretzels and cookies in groups.
- Fill the gaps with chocolate, peanuts and strawberries.
Why it works: All those chocolate-covered pretzels and peanut butter cups are rich, so fresh strawberries give a juicy break.
Where to get it
Check for peanut allergies before serving; this board is full of peanuts.
15. Dessert Grazing Board for a Crowd
Pin it!One extra-large board with cookies, brownies, donuts, candy, berries and three dips for a big party. Serves 20.
What's on the board
- 1 extra-large board, about 18 x 30 inches
- 17 chocolate chip cookies
- 5 double chocolate cookies
- 10 brownie squares
- 8 sugar-coated mini donuts
- 16 chocolate-covered pretzels
- 14 shortbread cookies
- 13 strawberries
- 6 oz raspberries
- 12 oz blueberries
- 6 oz candy-coated chocolates
- 6 oz dark chocolate (2 bars), broken into pieces
- 1 cup chocolate dip, in a bowl
- 1 cup caramel dip, in a bowl
- 1 cup whipped cream, in a bowl
How to make it
- Space the three dip bowls along the board.
- Lay the cookies, brownies, donuts, pretzels and shortbread in large groups around them.
- Add the berries in between, then fill every gap with candy and chocolate.
- Keep the whipped cream in the fridge until serving.
How to make a dessert charcuterie board
- Start with bowls. Place one or two dips first (chocolate, caramel or whipped cream) so the board has anchors.
- Add the big sweets. Cookies, brownies and donuts go next, in large groups.
- Add fresh fruit. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries break up all the brown and add color; wash and dry them well.
- Fill the gaps. Candy, chocolate pieces, pretzels and nuts fill every empty space so the board looks abundant.
- Plan the amount. About 4 or 5 small sweets per person is plenty after a meal; plan 6 to 8 if dessert is the main event.
Planning for a holiday? See our Christmas Eve boards and Christmas breakfast boards, which include sweet boards too.
Dessert charcuterie board FAQ
What goes on a dessert charcuterie board?
Pick two or three bigger sweets (cookies, brownies or donuts), add chocolate and candy to fill gaps, add fresh berries for color, and set out one or two dips such as chocolate, caramel or whipped cream.
How much do I need for a dessert board?
Plan about 4 or 5 small sweets per person if the board comes after a meal, and 6 to 8 per person if dessert is the main event.
How far ahead can I make a dessert charcuterie board?
Cookies, brownies and candy can go on the board a few hours ahead, covered. Add cut fruit, whipped cream and anything cold, like cheesecake, right before serving.
How do you keep a dessert board from looking messy?
Group each sweet together instead of scattering it, keep dips in bowls, and fill the last gaps with small candy or berries so no board shows.
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