So Here’s the Story Behind My Favorite Christmas Candy Dessert Board
You know how some recipes just kinda sneak up and become weirdly special? This one’s like that. The first time I threw together an old-fashioned Christmas candy dessert board, it was mostly out of panic — I’d completely forgotten dessert for my in-laws’ visit, and there I was, rummaging through the pantry for anything that looked remotely festive (or edible, honestly). Turns out, lining up a bunch of candies, some homemade, some store bought, on the prettiest board I could find, worked like a dream. Now we make it every December, and, well, somehow everyone thinks I planned it weeks in advance. Spoiler: I definitely don’t. Oh, and Uncle Dave still talks about the jawbreakers incident, but that’s a different saga!
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Board
I make this when I want that classic, cozy holiday vibe without fussing with baking all day (which, by the way, I kinda loathe, especially if the oven's already busy.) My kids go wild for it because they love picking their favorites; I love it because you really can't mess this up. Okay, technically you can if you go overboard with licorice — learned that the hard way — but mostly it's a no-pressure situation. And hey, if you don’t want to wash more dishes, I’ve even built this directly on a big tray; nobody cared.
What You’ll Want For Your Dessert Board
- Old-fashioned hard candies (think peppermint sticks, root beer barrels — I use the Brach’s ones when I can find them, but honestly any dollar store version does the job fine)
- Peanut brittle (my grandma was loyal to See’s, but I just grab whatever’s on the shelf at Aldi most of the time. Or make your own if you’re feeling ambitious!)
- Butterscotch disks — optional, though my dad swore by them
- Chocolate-covered cherries or caramels (or both — everyone wins)
- Ribbon candy — gotta have this for the retro look
- Candy canes, full-size or mini, depending on your crowd
- Homemade fudge, if you’ve got any lurking in the fridge; store bought totally works in a snap
- Assorted nuts (I mix in just a handful of pecans or those salted mixed nut tins. If you’re nut-free, skip ‘em without regrets)
- Seasonal extras: Marshmallow Santas, gumdrops, candied orange slices
Look, you can swap out basically anything for what you love or can get ahold of; it’s more about nostalgia than perfection here. I once threw in yogurt pretzels and it was a hit (still not traditional, but who cares?).
How to Pull the Board Together—With (Slightly) Organized Chaos
- Find the biggest wooden board or platter you’ve got. I use my cutting board, honestly. No shame in paper plates if that's all you've got (been there, once at a family picnic).
- Start with the centerpiece candies: line up ribbon candy and big peppermint sticks smack in the middle. Makes it look fancy; doesn’t take any brains.
- Scatter the other candies around in little mounds. I try to keep things separate so my cousin who hates licorice doesn’t manage to contaminate her caramel. But sometimes I just dump it all in a heap and call it 'rustic.' This is where I usually sneak a few butterscotch disks, and maybe a gumdrop or two. Quality control, right?
- Slot in fudge squares or peanut brittle around the edges — or wherever there’s a gap. No need to measure, just make it look inviting.
- Tuck in a few sprigs of rosemary or holly for a little greenery (totally optional — sometimes I forget, doesn’t change the taste one bit).
- Scatter the nuts, if using, on and around the candies so it doesn’t turn into total sugar overload (not that my family ever complains). Don’t worry if it looks a bit off at this stage — by the time people start picking, it ends up beautiful in that charming, haphazard way.
- Do a final check for stray candy wrappers (trust me, found one after serving once — oops), and you’re good to go.
What I’ve Learned (Sometimes the Hard Way)
- Don’t overthink the layout. I tried making a ‘perfect’ spiral once, and everyone just dove in headfirst anyway. It got destroyed in 2 minutes.
- If you line the board with parchment paper, it saves cleaning sticky caramel out from cracks later. But, eh, I forget half the time and survive.
- The fudge? Tends to dry out if it sits more than a couple days (although, honestly, it barely lasts that long here).
The Variations I’ve “Tested” (and a Flop, For Good Measure)
I once got overly clever, mixing in savory snacks like pretzel sticks and cheese cubes — it didn’t really vibe with the sweets, if I’m honest. However, adding a handful of popcorn brought a fun crunch. Also, swapping chocolates for some dried cranberries gave it a nice tart note. One year I even tried those old-timey jelly fruit slices, and surprisingly, they disappeared quickest.
Handy Tools (And What to Do If You Can’t Find ‘Em)
- A nice big wooden cutting board or a pretty platter (if you don’t have either, a cookie sheet lined with foil works, and nobody will notice after the second round of eggnog)
- Tongs or fancy little candy scoops — but most of the time I just go with fingers and napkins!
- Small bowls are good for separating things like nuts or gumdrops for those picky eaters, but certainly not essential.
How I (Try to) Store Leftovers
In theory: airtight containers, layered with wax paper if things are sticky. In reality: open containers and festive tins, since these candies kinda vanish overnight at my place. I guess if you do have leftovers, fudge can be wrapped up and hidden (sometimes literally) for up to a week, but softer candies like gummies start to turn weird after 2 days. And peppermint sticks get sticky if it’s humid...just so you know.
This Is How We Actually Serve It
It lands smack in the middle of the table, and everyone just helps themselves — usually while arguing about which is better: the caramel-filled chocolates or peanut brittle. Sometimes we add little mugs of hot cocoa (or mulled wine for the grown-ups...cheers!) and light a candle or two. My sister likes to sneak in an extra tray of salted nuts, because apparently there’s never enough salt at Christmas? To each their own.
What I’ve Messed Up and How You Can Avoid It
- I once tried piling the fudges into a mountain. Bad idea: they stuck together and became a fudge boulder. Layer ‘em flat or put parchment between rows.
- If you’re tempted to rush and dump everything at once, don’t — the fragile ribbon candy will shatter everywhere. Go gentle; you’ll thank yourself.
- Don’t leave the board out near a radiator. Ask me how I know.
Wait, Did You Have Questions?
What if I can’t find proper ribbon candy?
Happens to me more often than I’d like (small town problems). Use peppermint twists, or even bright hard candies — the idea is color and texture, not strict tradition.
How far ahead can I make this?
Honestly, I throw it together right before serving, but a couple hours is fine. Just don’t set it out too early or the fudge dries up.
Is this dessert board okay for young kids?
Mostly yes, but I watch for small hard candies with the little ones. Or just set those aside — adults can sneak ‘em later.
Do I have to use nuts?
Not at all! I often skip them if my niece is coming over (she’s allergic), and it’s still festive as anything.
By the way, if you want a deeper dive on vintage candies, OldTimeCandy.com always makes me nostalgic; and for handmade fudge inspiration, I just love King Arthur’s classic fudge guide. Or, you know, just raid your local grocery store and wing it. No judgment here.
So that’s my (chaotically merry) guide — hope you have as much fun eating it as I do pretending I planned it all along. Merry Christmas, y’all!
Ingredients
- 1 cup peppermint candies (red and white hard candies or peppermint rounds)
- 1 cup assorted chocolate truffles
- ½ cup caramel chews
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought fudge squares
- ½ cup gumdrops
- 1 cup peanut brittle pieces
- ½ cup ribbon candy
- Fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
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1Select a large wooden or ceramic serving board or platter for arranging the candies.
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2Place small bowls or ramekins on the board and fill them with gumdrops and caramel chews to prevent them from rolling.
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3Arrange the peppermint candies and ribbon candy in clusters around the board for color and texture contrast.
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4Add chocolate truffles, fudge squares, and peanut brittle in separate sections, ensuring a variety of treats are accessible from all sides.
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5Garnish the board with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a festive holiday touch.
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6Serve immediately and encourage guests to enjoy an assortment of old-fashioned candies.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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