The date is set, the entertainment is planned, the guests are invited… but what will you feed them?

A dessert charcuterie board has it all! These gorgeous displays don’t just look amazing. They also provide a variety of snacks and treats that guests can conveniently enjoy. 

Other than dicing up some of the treats, dessert charcuterie boards are easy to prepare. You don’t need to follow a recipe or cook something complicated unless you whip together a special dessert sauce. You can design them as simply or as elaborately as you wish.

With Father’s Day, graduation parties, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and any other summer celebrations, it’s the perfect time to test this out at your next party. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for your refreshment table assortment!

Include a Mix of Flavors

Provide your guests with a variety of tastes so they can pick out a treat to match their cravings. Try to hit a variety of flavor profiles, like decadent, sweet, refreshing, and salty. This balances out the flavors on your board.

Decadent treats could include rich flavors like chocolate candies or bite-size Belgian chocolate brownies. For refreshing bites, go with fruit and berries. Sweet treats can include candies like jelly beans, gummies, and marshmallows. For salty, try adding in pretzels, nuts, or popcorn.

Consider a Color Scheme

Is there a theme to the party you’re hosting? When you’re deciding on treats, consider picking the right colors to match!

For a 4th of July party, look for red, white, and blue treats. For example, your board could include strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows. 

Here are some colorful fruits and treats you could consider:

• Red: Strawberries, raspberries
• Orange: Cantaloupe
• Yellow: Pineapple
• Green: Grapes, honeydew
• Blue: Blueberries
• Purple: Grapes
• White: Marshmallows, whipped cream
• Black: Blackberries

Other than fruit, you can find candy in just about any color imaginable. Adding jelly beans or gummies to your board is a fantastic way to add new hues to your board.

Dice Everything into Bite-Size Pieces

Charcuterie boards are all about options and convenience. Not only does the board provide a variety of fruits and treats to choose from, but it also makes it easy for guests to grab a quick snack and go.

Usually, hosts will provide toothpicks or skewers near the board. Guests can pick out a few treats without getting their fingers sticky. Of course, for this to work, the treats need to be bite-size and manageable with a toothpick. Your guests shouldn’t have to hunt down a knife to enjoy their snacks.

Make sure each treat on your board is diced small enough to stab and eat whole. You can also include some single-portion treats, such as cookies. These are easy to grab without touching other food items on the board, and unlike fruit, they won’t make a guest’s fingers sticky.

Provide Tasty Dessert Dips

Along with treats and fruit, provide dessert sauces, dips, and frosting in small bowls nearby. Guests can dip their treats and enjoy unique flavor combinations!

Here are some recipes for our favorite frostings and sauces:

• Raspberry Sauce
• Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
• Mexican Hot Chocolate Fondue
• Caramel Sauce
• Butterscotch Sauce

For some simpler options, you can also provide whipped cream, sprinkles, or melted chocolate.

Serve with Hot or Cold Beverages

No refreshment table is complete without something to drink. Alongside your charcuterie dessert board, set out some cups and drinks for your guests to enjoy.

Not sure what to offer? Think about the time of year! For a summer gathering, set out chilled lemonade, iced tea, or juice. During colder months, opt for a thermos of hot chocolate or tea.

Don’t Forget Supplies

The food might be the most important part, but don’t forget the utensils your guests need to enjoy it! Provide toothpicks, skewers, or forks for guests to stab treats. You can also set out plates to let guests pile up on snacks before leaving the refreshment table to mingle. 

If you’ve decided to make a dessert sauce, create a small sign to label it. This can be as simple as a sticky note or a folded paper tent.

Do you have any guests with allergies or food restrictions? You can also label which treats contain peanuts or other common allergies or mark certain treats as gluten-free or sugar-free.