Dessert Charcuterie Board Wreath for the Holidays (With Licorice Bow Tutorial)
This Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board Wreath is an easy, no-bake centerpiece made with cookies, candies, and fresh fruit. It's a festive showstopper that's fun to assemble and customize. This post also includes a simple tutorial for creating the signature string licorice bow to complete the wreath.
*This post includes affiliate links, for more info on affiliate links visit here!
This Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board Wreath was an absolute blast to put together, and it completely stole the spotlight at our holiday gathering. You may remember when wreath-shaped charcuterie boards were all over Instagram last year. I decided to join the fun, but with a sweet twist.
Instead of meats and cheeses, I've loaded this wreath with cookies, candies, and festive treats to create a dazzling holiday dessert board.
In this post, I'll walk you through exactly how to make this holiday dessert charcuterie wreath, including a step-by-step tutorial for the signature licorice bow. Because truly, can a wreath even be a wreath without a bow? Settle in and get ready for all the delicious details to create a centerpiece that's destined to be the star of your celebration.
Jump to:
Why you will love making this recipe
- Festive and eye-catching: A wreath-shaped board makes a stunning holiday centerpiece.
- No baking required: Build it with ready-made sweets, perfect when you want simple assembly without kitchen stress.
- Customizable treats: Use either store-bought or homemade cookies, candies, fruit, or add candy cane hearts for a personal touch.
- Fun to assemble: Get creative with placement and color, similar to decorating but without the mess of baking.
- Crowd-friendly: Everyone can pick their favorites, making it great for parties and mixed tastes.
- Perfect for all ages: Kids and adults love grazing boards, and this one feels extra magical for the season.
About charcuterie boards
So, let's talk about charcuterie boards - pronounced "shahr-koo-tuh-ree." These boards are like edible canvases, traditionally meant for displaying cured meats and cheeses. While the word may sound fancy and French, the concept is simple: arrange delicious bites in a way that's beautiful and inviting. Over time, charcuterie boards have evolved far beyond savory spreads and now include everything from breakfast boards to full dessert displays.
One of the most charming twists is the wreath-shaped dessert board, perfect for the holidays. Instead of meats and cheeses, it's filled with cookies, candies, fruits, and festive accents like Candy Cane Hearts. It turns a sweet spread into a centerpiece, blending creativity with celebration. If you're looking to make your holiday table extra special, a dessert charcuterie wreath is a fun and eye-catching way to do it.
Shop for your Holiday Charcuterie:
Materials and ingredients
The wreath board
I got my hands on the wreath-shaped board from Target but you can also whip up a wreath-shaped board (aka Charcutewreath 😉 ) on a regular round board. In fact, Maegan at The Bakermama did just that in her beautiful Charcuterie Wreath board post! To make a dessert board like the one featured in this post, simply arrange your treats in a circle with the center empty, and that licorice bow will do its thing to give that wreath vibe!
If you love serving on specialty-shaped boards like this one, you might enjoy my guide to the best boards for charcuterie, where I share different shapes, sizes, and when they're worth having.
The sweets
A lot of the candies, cookies, and even those delicious raspberries you see on this dessert board were snagged from Aldi's during the holiday season. I'm a big fan of shopping there - the deals are awesome! Now, for that awesome licorice bow, I turned to Amazon. I'll drop the links down below, along with some of my tips to help you pick out the tastiest treats for your own board regardless of where you shop.
What to buy for your dessert charcuterie board
- Go for Variety: Opt for a mix of smaller treats that will let your guests sample a little bit of everything.
- Create Groupings: Buy several of each item to create groupings. You will want to arrange similar candies and cookies together for a cohesive and visually pleasing display.
- Play with Colors: Incorporate a variety of colors to add vibrancy and excitement to your board.
- Think Shapes: Consider including treats with different shapes like those adorable snowflake, DIY candy cane hearts and star cookies you spot here.
- Chocoholic's Delight: Chocolates are always a crowd-pleaser. Add some chocolatey goodness to your board!
- Fruity Freshness: Don't forget to add some fresh fruit sweets like my Raspberry Crumb Bars or try my stuffed dates for a delightful and refreshing balance to the sweetness.
- Round Cookies for Ornaments: Round cookies and candies can mimic the look of ornaments, adding a fun holiday touch to your board.
String licorice bow
Let's move to that adorable sweet bow made from long-string licorice. I used this licorice which worked out great. Other than the licorice, all you need are kitchen shears. Here are the quick and easy steps for this licorice bow!
Step-by-step instructions
String Licorice Bow
Equipment
- 1 Pair kitchen shears
Materials
- 1 Pkg Long Red String Licorice
Instructions
- Begin by removing the licorice from its packaging.
- Set aside three strings of licorice; these will be used to tie the bow later.
- Take the remaining bundle of licorice and use your hands to separate approximately ½ of the licorice from the bundle. The remaining licorice can be saved for enjoyment later.
- Lay the bundle of licorice in a straight line. Gently take the right end of the licorice bundle and bring the ends down to the center, allowing about 4 to 5 inches to hang.
- Repeat the same process with the left side of the bundle and cross it over the right side.
- Gather the licorice at the center where the two sides crossed.
- Now, take the three licorice strings that you set aside earlier and place them vertically under the gathered center.
- With caution to prevent breakage, tie the licorice strings in a double knot at the center of the bow.
- Carefully flip the bow over to the backside.
- Double knot in the back using the tails from the 3 strings from the front knot. This will reinforce your bow.
- Flip the bow back over, so it's right side up. With Kitchen shears trim the ends so the tails of the bow are even.
- Here is a shot of the finished bow.
- Gently place the licorice bow on top of the charcuterie board. Feel free to "fluff" it a bit by gently pulling on some of the licorice. Arrange candies, cookies, and fruit around and within the bow to your preference.
Quick tips for assembly
With your heart-shaped candy cane treats and the licorice bow already in place on the top of the wreath board, you're set to assemble the board. Here are some tips:
- Cluster and Group: Arrange your candies, cookies, and other treats by clustering or grouping them together. This creates visual interest and makes it easy for guests to select their favorites.
- Around the Bow: Position some treats in and around the licorice bow for an added festive touch. This draws attention to the centerpiece of your board. If you would prefer you can make a simple ribbon bow instead of the licorice bow. I would suggest using a 1 ½" wide red ribbon.
- Size and Color Balance: Pay attention to even distribution of items based on their size and color. This ensures a balanced and appealing display.
- Fruit as Finishing Touch: If you're adding fruit to your board, such as raspberries, place them last, just before serving. This helps to keep the fruit fresh and vibrant.
With these simple tips, your dessert charcuterie wreath board will come together beautifully, creating a delightful and tempting centerpiece for your holiday gathering.
Bonus Tip: Add a touch of whimsy by dusting some confectioners' sugar over the fruit, creating a fun snowy effect.
Frequently asked questions
You can include a wide range of holiday treats such as Christmas candies, chocolates, cookies, mini cupcakes, macarons, marshmallows, dried fruits, nuts, and even small pastries or tarts.
Transporting the delicate dessert charcuterie wreath can be challenging due to its easy shifting. To keep it secure, opt for a tight-fitting container with tissue or parchment paper, or assemble the board at your destination if possible.
If you don't have a wreath-shaped board, you can still craft a delightful Christmas dessert charcuterie display on a large platter. Here are some suggestions:
1. Cut out a wreath-shaped pattern from parchment paper and position it on a round board. Arrange your charcuterie items within the parchment wreath to maintain the desired shape.
2. Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary to give your charcuterie arrangement the appearance of a vibrant wreath.
3. Introduce red and green elements to infuse a festive look into your board.
4. Beginning from the center, organize the treats in a circular arrangement, creating layers and adding textural variety.
5. To add a festive touch, apply holiday-themed decorations around the treats.
Absolutely! You can tailor the treats to accommodate dietary preferences or allergies. Consider including gluten-free cookies, dairy-free chocolates, or nut-free options to ensure everyone can enjoy the festive spread.
It's easy to make a variety of festive charcuterie boards using this wreath charcuterie board. Here are some ideas:
Cheese board: Up your charcuterie game by making an all-cheese board. Be sure to use both hard cheeses and soft cheeses, like pepper jack cheese, brie, small mozzarella balls, etc. Incorporating fresh rosemary sprigs adds both a delightful flavor and an impressive touch to this charcuterie spread.
Hot cocoa board: Get into the holiday spirit with a festive Christmas charcuterie wreath board featuring marshmallows, candy canes, assorted chocolate candy, and a small bowl of whipped cream - perfect for creating a delightful hot cocoa board. This creative treat is bound to be a crowd-pleaser at your family gatherings!
Traditional charcuterie board: Arrange a variety of your favorite meats, cheeses, crackers, bread, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables in a circular pattern. You can even add small dishes of dips, green olives, and nuts to complete the spread.
Caprese salad board: Here's a fantastic holiday charcuterie board suggestion: Craft a Caprese salad board featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Beyond being a delectable appetizer, the red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil create a stunning display of Christmas colors. Arranging it in the shape of a wreath adds an extra touch of festive flair!
Vegetable board:
Elevate your holiday gathering by transforming your holiday wreath charcuterie board into an all-veggie delight. Load it up with cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, red peppers, and an array of other crisp vegetables, and don't forget to include a variety of flavorful dips for a wholesome and colorful feast!
Antipasto style board: Lay out some small plates and serve your guests a gorgeous Christmas charcuterie board filled with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, fresh herbs, sweet cherry peppers or roasted red peppers, roasted eggplant, and savory meats. Add sliced bread toasted and drizzled with olive oil. Yum!
More holiday inspiration
- 30 Years of Firefighter Santas: A Family Christmas Tradition Celebrating a Career and Memories
- DIY Christmas Lanterns: How to Decorate Lanterns for the Holidays
- How to Make a Christmas Tree Basket (Using a Woven Tree Collar)
- How Long Does a Dried Fruit Garland Last? (With My Dried Apple Garland Tutorial)
As we gear up for the holiday season, why not add a dash of creativity to your gatherings? The Dessert Charcuterie Wreath Recipe lets you whip up a visually captivating centerpiece that's sure to charm your guests. Whether you're crafting heart-shaped candy canes, tying the perfect licorice bow, or curating an array of delightful treats, this edible masterpiece promises to steal the spotlight.
Thank you for visiting the blog today I hope you found this Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Wreath Recipe (With Licorice Bow Instructions) inspiring! I promise it will make your celebrations even sweeter. Visit my Charcuterie Board post on LTK to shop holiday charcuterie board items.
Have fun creating your own holiday dessert charcuterie board!
