How to Make a Dessert Charcuterie Board for Christmas
A dessert charcuterie board is an easy, no-bake party platter filled with cookies, chocolates, candies, and fresh fruit. To make this festive Christmas version, arrange your favorite sweets in a wreath shape on a round serving board, grouping treats by color, size, and texture. Finish with a handmade string licorice bow for a fun, edible centerpiece that's perfect for holiday entertaining.
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If you're looking for a fun and festive way to serve sweets this Christmas, this dessert charcuterie board is guaranteed to make an impression! Filled with cookies, chocolates, candies, and fresh fruit, it's an easy, no-bake holiday centerpiece that's just as much fun to assemble as it is to enjoy.
I had an absolute blast putting this one together! Inspired by the wreath-shaped charcuterie boards I'd seen everywhere, I decided to create my own sweet version. Instead of traditional meats and cheeses, I filled my wreath with colorful holiday treats and finished it with an oversized bow made entirely from string licorice. Because really, can a Christmas wreath even be a wreath without a bow?
In this post, I'll show you how to make a dessert charcuterie board from start to finish, including what sweets to choose, how to arrange them beautifully, and how to create that adorable licorice bow. And don't worry if you don't have a wreath-shaped serving board. I'll show you how to get the same festive look using a regular round platter!
At a Glance: Dessert Charcuterie Board
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- Project: Christmas dessert charcuterie board wreath
- Difficulty: Easy, beginner-friendly
- Prep time: Approximately 20-30 minutes
- Cooking required: None! This is a no-bake holiday dessert.
- What to include: Cookies, chocolates, Christmas candies, fresh fruit, and other bite-sized sweets
- Serving board: Wreath-shaped charcuterie board or a large round serving platter
- Assembly: Arrange sweets in small groupings, balancing colors, shapes, and textures to create a festive wreath
- Special touch: A handmade bow made from red string licorice
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the licorice bow and gather your sweets ahead of time, adding fresh fruit just before serving
- Perfect for: Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, dessert tables, and festive entertaining
- Result: A colorful, customizable dessert charcuterie board that's both a delicious treat and a beautiful holiday centerpiece
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Why you'll love this dessert charcuterie board
- A festive holiday centerpiece: The wreath shape and oversized licorice bow make this dessert board a beautiful addition to your Christmas table.
- Easy and no-bake: No cooking required! Simply gather your favorite sweets and arrange them for an impressive holiday dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Completely customizable: Mix store-bought favorites with homemade treats like my rosemary lavender butter cookies or these adorable candy cane hearts.
- Perfect for sharing: With a variety of cookies, chocolates, candies, and fruit, there's something for everyone to enjoy. It's an easy, crowd-friendly option for Christmas parties and holiday gatherings.
Choosing a board for your dessert charcuterie wreath
I originally made this Christmas dessert charcuterie board using a wreath-shaped wooden serving board I found at Target. I loved how the shape instantly transformed a collection of cookies and candies into a festive holiday centerpiece!
But here's the good news: You don't need a specialty wreath-shaped board to recreate this look.
A large round wooden board or serving platter works beautifully, too. Simply arrange your cookies, chocolates, candies, and fresh fruit in a circle, leaving an open space in the center to create the wreath shape. Finish with the oversized string licorice bow, and you'll have the same charming Christmas dessert wreath!
If you love the look of specialty serving boards, I've gathered a few beautiful options below, along with some versatile round boards you can use for entertaining throughout the year.
Shop Holiday Charcuterie Boards:
What to put on a dessert charcuterie board
One of the best things about making a dessert charcuterie board is choosing all the delicious treats! For my Christmas wreath, I used a colorful assortment of cookies, chocolates, candies, and fresh raspberries. Most of these goodies came from Aldi, one of my favorite places to find affordable holiday treats.
The key is choosing a variety of sweets in different shapes, colors, and textures. Here's what I recommend including:
- Cookies: Choose a variety of shapes and sizes, including snowflakes, stars, and round cookies that resemble Christmas ornaments. A mix of store-bought and homemade cookies works beautifully.
- Chocolates: Add chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels, or individually wrapped holiday chocolates for a little richness.
- Christmas candies: Candy canes, gumdrops, peppermint treats, and other festive sweets add color and whimsy. I especially love including my DIY candy cane hearts for a playful holiday touch.
- Fresh fruit: Raspberries, strawberries, and grapes bring fresh flavor and beautiful color to balance the richer sweets.
- Homemade treats: Include a few special additions like my raspberry crumb bars or stuffed dates to make the board feel a little more personal.
My tip: Choose several pieces of each treat rather than buying too many different varieties. This makes it easier to create attractive groupings around your dessert wreath.
How to make a dessert charcuterie board for Christmas
Once you've gathered your favorite cookies, candies, chocolates, and fresh fruit, it's time for the fun part: putting everything together! Think of your dessert board as an edible centerpiece, arranging the treats in a way that's colorful, balanced, and inviting.
- Start with your serving board. Use a wreath-shaped board like mine, or arrange your treats in a circle on a large round platter, leaving the center open to create the wreath shape.
- Position your decorative accents. I started with my handmade string licorice bow at the top of the wreath, along with a few heart-shaped candy cane treats. These larger details help establish the overall design before filling in the sweets.
- Arrange cookies and candies in small groupings. Rather than scattering everything randomly, cluster similar treats together. This creates a more organized, visually appealing dessert charcuterie board and makes it easy for guests to grab their favorites.
- Balance colors, shapes, and sizes. Mix round cookies with stars, snowflakes, chocolates, and colorful candies. Distribute different colors around the wreath so one area doesn't feel too crowded or heavy.
- Add fresh fruit last. Tuck raspberries or other fresh fruit into the remaining spaces just before serving. This keeps the fruit looking fresh and prevents moisture from affecting the cookies and candies.
My decorating tip: Don't worry about making everything perfectly symmetrical! A little variation in the placement of treats creates a more natural, inviting look. For an extra festive touch, lightly dust the fruit with confectioners' sugar just before serving to give it a snowy appearance.
Want a different look? If you'd rather skip the edible licorice bow, a simple 1½-inch-wide red ribbon bow makes a pretty decorative alternative. Just be sure to remove any nonedible decorations before serving.
How to make a string licorice bow
To make the oversized bow for this dessert charcuterie board, I simply shaped several strands of red string licorice into loops and tied the center with another piece of licorice. It's such an easy little detail, but it adds the perfect festive finishing touch to the wreath.
You can follow the step-by-step photos below to see exactly how I formed the loops and secured the center.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! You can arrange cookies, chocolates, and candies on your board several hours before serving. Cover it loosely and store it in a cool, dry place. Add fresh fruit and any delicate treats just before your guests arrive to keep everything looking and tasting its best.
Absolutely! Arrange your sweets in a circle on a round serving board or platter, leaving the center open to create the wreath shape. Add a licorice bow at the top for that festive finishing touch. No specialty board required!
For the easiest transport, pack your treats separately and assemble the board when you arrive. If you're bringing it fully assembled, use a tray with raised edges, cover it carefully, and keep it flat during travel to prevent the sweets from shifting.
A wreath-shaped board is surprisingly versatile! Try filling it with traditional meats and cheeses, fresh vegetables and dip, or hot cocoa treats like marshmallows, chocolates, and candy canes. You can even create a festive antipasto wreath with mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
More charcuterie board topics to explore
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!
