So, picture this: it's three days before Christmas, there's icing sugar basically everywhere (even the cat had a light dusting), and my niece is eyeing the candy canes like they're treasure. That was the scene the first time I pulled together a Santa Sweets Board for our family shindig. I'd seen a version online (I'll just say Pinterest is both inspiration and pure chaos) and thought, why not? Turns out, stacking all your favorite bite-sized goodies on a big ol' platter is shockingly delightful—not to mention people hover near it like moths round a porchlight.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Board
I make this when I'm either pressed for time or just, honestly, can't be bothered to bake. My kids beg for it every year since it's basically all the sweets you snuck from Grandma's tin when you thought no one was watching (confession: she always knew). My brother-in-law says it's like a holiday board game, only you eat it—and half the fun is building chocolate towers that topple, so... fair point. The assembly is dead simple, but man, it can look like you spent hours fussing. Also, when the oven's already doing overtime with the turkey, it's just nice not to fight for space, you know?
Here's What I Usually Toss On
- A couple handfuls of mini candy canes (I've used the fruity ones in a pinch—no complaints!)
- Chocolate-covered pretzels or those yogurt-dipped ones, whichever you find on sale
- Gingerbread men—store-bought or homemade, honestly any shape works if you’re short on time
- Marshmallows—big ones, little ones, whatever's in the cupboard
- Sugar cookies (I sometimes swap in shortbread if I’m channeling my gran, who swears by Walker's)
- Red and green M&Ms—just grab a big bag and hope you don’t eat half while decorating
- Chocolate bark, chopped up (I’ve even broken up a Hershey bar for this!)
- Raspberries or strawberries for a fresh pop—the only thing my toddler actually grabs first, shockingly
- Optional: Fudge chunks, gummy candies, truffles, or some peppermint bark; just grab what you love
How I Throw It All Together
- Pick a big board or tray. When I’m being fancy, I use my slate cheese board. But honestly, a baking sheet lined with parchment does the trick (who's checking?)
- Start with the bigger items—gingerbread folks, cookies, marshmallows—and plonk those down.
- Scatter the candies and little bits rom all directions. This is where I usually sneak a marshmallow. Or three.
- Tuck in the fruits last as little bursts of color; they look prettier (and hey, it covers the "is this healthy?" question... kinda).
- If you're feeling fussy, make a Santa face with marshmallow beard and a strawberry hat. Some years I'm patient; other years, everything just gets dumped on, no shame.
- Step back, beams at your handywork—if it looks like an elf exploded, you're on the right track.
Stuff I've Learned (Sometimes the Hard Way)
- Don’t put the raspberries on top of the chocolate—melty chocolate plus berry juice means sticky fingers for days.
- Actually, I find that letting the kids help isn't always faster, but their "reindeer face" marshmallow is still legendary.
- Trying to match perfect Pinterest photos? Just... don't. Your board will always be prettier because you made it for your lot.
- I tried balancing star-shaped cookies upright... that works about as well as socks on a rooster.
Variations That Sometimes Worked (and Once Didn't)
- Swapped out candy canes for chocolate coins last year, and the kids declared it a "pirate Christmas". Not mad about it.
- Tried a vegan board once with plant-based marshmallows and oat cookies—surprisingly lush, though the coconut truffles were a flop (live and learn, right?)
- You could try a "grown-up" version with espresso chocolate and spiced nuts. My neighbor brings port and suddenly it’s a party for the adults, too.
What If I Don't Have a Fancy Board?
No biggie. I’ve used a wooden chopping board, a big ceramic platter, and once, when things got dire, the lid of a Tupperware (upside down, mind you). It all gets eaten! If you want to see some truly wild ideas, peek at @thesnackboards on Instagram—but don’t go down the rabbit hole or you’ll emerge three hours later with a sudden urge to buy more platters.
Storing the Board (Or, If Anything Even Survives)
Technically, you can cover leftovers with clingfilm and refrigerate up to two days—but honestly, it never makes it past the first night in our house. If you do stash it, check if anything's gone soggy (those fruit bits are sneaky).
How We Actually Serve This
I just plop the board on the coffee table during Christmas movies (Elf, anyone?), let people dig in. My mum likes a side of hot chocolate for dunking, while my sister swears by pairing the sweet board with a salty cheese tray. On Boxing Day, any leftovers get broken up onto ice cream—while mildly battling over the last gingerbread leg.
Little Pro Tips (a.k.a. Oops, Won’t Do That Again)
- I once tried to rush the assembly—ended up with chocolate fingerprints everywhere. Patience, even if you’re hungry.
- Layering is key. If you just dump all the small candies on first, they disappear under a pile of cookies (not that anyone here ever minds extra hunting).
- Tiny pinch bowls help for the really little stuff; or, if you forget, a mug works okay too.
FAQ—Because Folks Always Ask
- Can I make this ahead of time?
- You can build it a few hours in advance (just avoid putting the fruits on until it’s go-time, or you’ll get a mushy mess). On second thought, maybe just assemble it the morning of your party.
- Gluten-free options?
- Loads! Swap the cookies for gluten-free brands (I love Tate's for a crisp crunch), use marshmallows, and stick to the chocolate and candy bits that suit your needs.
- What if I only have boring/plain cookies?
- Decorate 'em with leftover icing or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Honestly, even store-brand shortbread gets jazzed up when surrounded by sweets.
- How big should my board be?
- Totally depends. For four people? A dinner plate works. Feeding a whole crew? The bigger, the messier, the better.
- Why is my candy melting?
- Ah, classic! Warm house plus eager hands equals melty mess. Try to assemble away from radiators and not directly under the hot kitchen lights (learnt that the hard way at Aunt Faye’s).
Honestly, if you give this Santa Sweets Board a whirl, you’ll probably start a new family tradition—or, at the very least, you’ll be the most popular person at the table. And if your board looks like a child decorated it blindfolded, well, that's half the charm. Merry munching!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ½ cup mini chocolate chip cookies
- ½ cup assorted holiday candies (peppermint, gummies, etc.)
- ½ cup white chocolate squares
- ½ cup pretzel sticks
- ½ cup green and red M&Ms
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
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1Arrange the raspberries and sliced strawberries on a large board to form the base of Santa’s hat and face shape.
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2Place mini chocolate chip cookies on one side of the board to create Santa’s beard.
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3Add white chocolate squares along the brim of the hat and use a few as the hat pom-pom.
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4Scatter assorted holiday candies, green and red M&Ms, and pretzel sticks creatively to decorate the board and fill empty spaces.
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5Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a festive touch and serve immediately.
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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