Dessert Charcuterie Board (2024)

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Dessert Charcuterie Boards are the perfect thing to make for a party. You can tailor it to fit any theme, and there is always something for everyone. Make sure to check out our Fondue Charcuterie Board recipe below!

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What is a Charcuterie Board?

Charcuterie boards (pronounced “shar-KOO-tuh-ree”) are a trend that I have seen popping up everywhere! “Charcuterie” is a French term for displaying a variety of cured meats, mostly pork. Originally they included things like salami, prosciutto, and sausages. Modern charcuterie boards can have any variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, olives, nuts, and sauces. Typically the boards are arranged in an aesthetically pleasing and abundant fashion. If you want to learn more about how to make a traditional charcuterie board, check out our recipe HERE.

So, What is a Dessert Charcuterie Board?

Since the idea of charcuterie boards have become so popular, people have taken the idea and run with it! Dessert charcuterie boards are arranged in the same smorgasbord style but with all sweets and treats instead of meats and cheeses. They are so fun and you can tailor them to any theme. I chose a Valentine’s Day theme since that is the next upcoming holiday. However, you can make one for Christmas, Easter, birthdays – pretty much any occasion.

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Picking out Your Ingredients

It can be overwhelming to try and decide what to put on your dessert charcuterie board. I would suggest heading to a grocery store with a bulk section. That way, you can get a variety of ingredients without having to buy a huge bag of each one. Try to choose items with different sizes, textures, colors, shapes, and flavor. You want a little bit of everything – sweet, salty, crunch, creamy, chocolate, fruit, etc.

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Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas

There are so many delicious options for a dessert board! Feel free to use store-bought treats or make some of your own at home. Try some of our favorites and let us know your favorites below!

  • ​Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Macarons
  • Brownies
  • Donuts
  • Cupcakes
  • Chocolate Bars
  • Peanut Butter Cups
  • Candies
  • Chocolate Truffles
  • Marshmallows
  • Graham Crackers
  • Fresh Fruit – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, banana slices, orange slices, apple slices
  • Dips – caramel, chocolate ganache, cookie butter, Nutella

Valentine’s Day Dessert Charcuterie Board

A few years ago I made this Valentine’s Day Dessert Charcuterie Board for a Galentine’s Day party and it was a hit! Here’s what I used to make it.

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INGREDIENTS

  • 10ounceshot fudge saucerecipehere
  • 14ouncescookie butter or biscoff spread
  • 13ozmarshmallow fluff
  • 2cupsjelly beans
  • 2cupsgummy candy
  • 2dozenmacarons
  • 1dozenmeringue cookies
  • 1dozensoft sugar cookies with icingrecipehere
  • 1dozenshortbread sandwich cookies with raspberry jam
  • 1boxLittle Debbie Valentine’s Day snack cakes
  • 14ouncesPirouette wafers
  • 2dozenchocolate trufflesrecipehere
  • 6ouncesfresh raspberries
  • 2dozensmall heart shaped chocolate cookies
  • 2cupspretzel sticks
  • 1dozenstrawberry creme wafers
  • 8ouncesEnglish toffeerecipehere
  • 2cupsconversation hearts
  • 10ozpink, red, and white M&Ms
  • 1cupsour cherry candies
  • sprinkles and chocolate roses for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Start with your sauces and spreads. Pour out each one into a small bowl. Top with sprinkles (optional) and place on the board.
  • Fill two more bowls – one with jelly beans and one with gummy candy. Place them on the board.
  • Then, start arranging the bigger items on the board (cookies, meringues, snack cakes, etc). Make sure you aren’t placing like colors or like textures next to each other. Try to create different heights by stacking some items up while putting others out in a single layer.
  • Next, fill in open spaces with medium sized items (chocolate truffles, pretzel sticks, fresh raspberries, etc).
  • Finally, fill in the rest of the spaces with the smallest items (M&Ms, conversation hearts, chocolate roses, etc). You want your board to look very full and abundant, so make sure to fill every space and the edges of the board.

Measurements are approximate. I used an 18in x 24in board, but you can scale this recipe up or down depending on the size of your board.

The serving size of 50 is approximate. This would provide a minimum of 2 cookies and about ¼ cup of candy per person.

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More Sweet Charcuterie Board Ideas

Candy Charcuterie Board

If you like having friends and family over for a movie night or game night, then this Candy Charcuterie Board is perfect for you! With a combination of salty and sweet treats, this board is guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. Customize this board to your tastes and make it the centerpiece of your next gathering. Everyone will love munching on this board while chatting, watching movies, or playing games!

Breakfast Charcuterie Board

If you are hosting a breakfast and need inspiration, then look no further! This Breakfast Charcuterie Board will please your guests eyes and also their taste buds. This snack board is full of breakfast favorites and is perfect for holidays like Easter, Christmas morning, or Mother’s Day. Customize everything to your liking and enjoy all the different waffle and topping combinations.

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Breakfast Charcuterie Board

5 from 2 votes

Set up a DIY breakfast charcuterie board with these step by step instructions. This project is perfect for a party and is sure to impress.

View This Recipe

Halloween Charcuterie Board

Creating a Halloween charcuterie board is a fun and festive way to share a fun Halloween snack board. That’s why I love this Halloween Charcuterie Board. It’s the perfect party food because there is a little something for everyone. We’ve got sour, sweet, chocolate, fruity, and salty!

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Halloween Charcuterie Board

5 from 6 votes

This Halloween Charcuterie Board makes the perfect centerpiece for any gathering of ghosts and ghouls! Ditch the traditional meat and cheese board for one filled with chocolates and candy.

View This Recipe

Christmas Charcuterie Board

Usually my family has a big dinner on Christmas Eve, and then for Christmas Day we just kind of graze on leftovers and appetizers. I love making a Christmas Charcuterie Board like this because I can just set it out while we are visiting or playing games and everyone gets to pick and choose what they want. It is like a combination of a cheese board and a dessert! It is also great for holiday parties and gatherings.

Dessert Charcuterie Board (8)

Christmas Charcuterie Board

5 from 6 votes

This Christmas Charcuterie Board is full of cheese, meats, and treats! It makes a great addition to any holiday gathering, large or small.

View This Recipe

More Charcuterie Board Ideas

Charcuterie boards are so easy to make and always make for an impressive spread. Bring one of these and you will easily be the star of your next party!

Appetizers

Simple Charcuterie Board

Appetizers

Vegan Charcuterie Board

Appetizers

How to Make a Charcuterie Board

How to Make a Fondue Dessert Charcuterie Board

We love Dessert Charcuterie boards in every theme, but this Fondue Charcuterie Board is one of our favorites! It is perfect for a night cuddling up on the couch or for a game night with friends!

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Fondue Dessert Charcuterie Board

5 from 9 votes

This is the ultimate fondue dessert charcuterie board and perfect for date night or game night! Plus it can be customized to your taste.

PrintPinRate

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 30 people

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 16 ounces pretzels
  • 16 ounces marshmallows
  • 13 ounces brownie bites
  • 1 pound strawberries
  • 3 bananas sliced
  • 10 ounces angel food cake cubed

Instructions

  • Place milk chocolate chips in a small bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Stir well between each interval. Repeat with white chocolate chips. Place on board.

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  • Fill in space on the board with all remaining items.

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  • Serve with fondue forks.

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Notes

  • Nutrition Facts are approximate and based on splitting the board evenly.
  • Don’t forget to wash and dry your serving tray before making your board.
  • Keep extra supplies nearby to refill the board as people snack from it.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 286mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg

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Dessert Charcuterie Board (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie board? ›

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

What can go on a dessert board? ›

Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas
  1. Mint chocolate cremes.
  2. Strawberry sour belts.
  3. Chocolate covered pretzel rods.
  4. Yogurt covered pretzels.
  5. Meringue pinwheels.
  6. Checkerboard cookies.
  7. Pizzelle cookies.
  8. Chocolate hazelnut biscotti.
Jan 20, 2023

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

There are a few that I would stay away from eggplants, brussels sprouts, turnips, beets, zucchini and mushrooms. Many of these vegetables taste best when cooked, and Charcuterie boards generally don't include steamed or cooked veggies.

What finger foods go on a charcuterie board? ›

Build the board with:
  • Cured meats.
  • Cheeses (we recommend using at least one soft cheese, hard cheese, and blue cheese)
  • Crackers.
  • Herbed nuts.
  • Cornichons.
  • Radishes.
  • Olives.
  • Grapes or figs.
Nov 16, 2023

What are the best 3 cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards:
  • Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago.
  • Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar.
  • Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster.
  • Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.
  • Blue cheese: gorgonzola, dunbarton blue, marbled blue jack.

What is a good dessert cheese? ›

Goat cheese, aged Gouda, blue cheese, fontina, havarti, mascarpone, Emmentaler, pecorino, fresh ricotta and brie all make wonderful dessert cheeses. You'll find flavored varieties, too, such as chocolate goat cheese; white Stilton with pear, apple, mango, or ginger; and chevre with blueberries, cranberries or cinnamon.

How to create a dessert platter? ›

Remember, lots of baked goods look delicious on their own, but grouped together, they can look very brown. I mix colorful things like lemon bars, pecan bars, brownies, cookies, strawberries, figs, and slices of lemon cake. Start with a platter that is round or oval and particularly one that is very flat.

How unhealthy are charcuterie boards? ›

Many ingredients used in charcuterie boards are high in sodium, including deli meats, dry sausages, cheeses, salted nuts, pretzels and crackers. The recommendation for daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 milligrams or less. To reduce the sodium load on your board, add more fresh or dried fruits and raw veggies.

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

What can I put on a charcuterie board besides cheese? ›

A charcuterie board typically contains a beautifully arranged assortment of meats, cheeses, nuts and fruits. You'll also often see bread or crackers to place the food on, along with jams, butters or other spreads.

How do you calculate food for a charcuterie board? ›

Calculate Ingredient Amounts

If served as a light appetizer, plan for guests to take around 3 ounces each of meat and cheese. Up those portions to a hearty 6 ounces per person if the charcuterie board is the focal point. There should be at least one cracker or piece of bread for every slice of meat on the board.

What goes on a charcuterie board first? ›

Though there are many easy charcuterie board ideas out there, the process is somewhat formulaic. Start by adding structure with little dishes, then place your ingredients on the board starting with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats, followed by smaller items like crackers and fresh produce.

What is the ratio for a charcuterie board? ›

I've found the following ratio works great: 4 types of cheese, 4 types of meat, 3 types of bread/crackers, 1 type of chocolate, 2-3 different nuts, 1 jam, 1 honey, and 1-2 types of olives.

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