If you’re ready to wow your friends and family this holiday season, nothing does it quite like a Festive Christmas Snack Board with Cookies, Pretzels, Fruit, and Candy Recipe. This vibrant board is bursting with colors, textures, and flavors that scream holiday cheer. From the sweet crunch of sugar cookies and the salty snap of pretzels to the juicy pop of fresh fruit and the playful sweetness of candies, this snack board turns any gathering into an unforgettable festive celebration. It’s easy to assemble yet impressive, making it a perfect centerpiece for your holiday spread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this festive snack board lies in its simplicity and variety. Each ingredient brings its own special touch—whether it’s a sweet, salty, fruity, or creamy note—giving you a well-rounded taste experience.
- 20 sugar cookies (or peppermint Hershey Kisses): Choose your favorite for that sweet base that everyone loves.
- 20 square pretzels: Salty crunch to balance the sweetness perfectly.
- 20 red/green M&Ms: Festive color and a bit of chocolate goodness.
- 30 straight mini pretzel rods: For a fun, dip-worthy crunch.
- 30 candy eyeballs: Add a quirky holiday vibe that’s playful and fun.
- 15 mini red M&Ms: Pops of tiny color to decorate and delight.
- ⅓ cup brown chocolate melting wafers: Great for dipping, drizzling, or adding richness.
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal: Light, crispy, and a nice texture contrast.
- 2 cups mini marshmallows: Soft and sweet, perfect for snacking and decorating.
- 2 cups square pretzels: More salty bites to keep the texture exciting.
- ¾ cup white chocolate melting wafers: Sweet, creamy, and ideal for festive drizzles.
- Red sanding sugar: Sparkling festive sparkle for decorating.
- Green sanding sugar: Adds a sweet crunch and holiday color.
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar: To dust or coat certain goodies for a snowy effect.
- ¼ cup red/green M&Ms: Bonus candy for extra pop of color.
- Mini marshmallows: For soft, gooey bites and decoration.
- Raspberries: Bright, juicy, and tart for freshness.
- Strawberries: Sweet, colorful, and perfect for Christmas red vibes.
- Green grapes: Adds a juicy pop and a nice green accent.
- Cheese slices (Cheddar or Mozzarella): For a creamy, savory balance to all the sweets.
How to Make Festive Christmas Snack Board with Cookies, Pretzels, Fruit, and Candy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Base and Melts
Gather all your ingredients and melt the brown and white chocolate wafers separately according to package directions. These melted chocolates will be your decorative and adhesive tools for drizzling and dipping later on the board.
Step 2: Arrange the Main Elements
Start by placing your sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses in clusters around a large wooden or festive tray. Then scatter the square pretzels and mini pretzel rods in between, ensuring a nice mix of salty crunches throughout.
Step 3: Add Colorful Candies and Marshmallows
Decorate the board by strategically sprinkling red and green M&Ms around the base ingredients. Place mini marshmallows in small mounds for softness, and stick candy eyeballs onto pretzels using melted chocolate as “glue” for a whimsical effect.
Step 4: Incorporate Fresh Fruits
Add raspberries, strawberries, and green grapes grouped in small bunches. These fruits contrast the sweets perfectly and provide a refreshing burst of juiciness that balances the board.
Step 5: Drizzle and Dust
Drizzle melted white and brown chocolate wafers over pretzels and cookies for a festive, elegant look. Dust powdered sugar lightly over berries and marshmallows to mimic a fresh dusting of snow. Add red and green sanding sugars on white chocolate drizzles for sparkle and extra holiday spirit.
Step 6: Final Touches with Cheese
Fold or roll cheddar or mozzarella slices into small bundles. Place them in open spaces on the board for a subtle savory balance that is a delightful surprise amid the sweets and fruits.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Snack Board with Cookies, Pretzels, Fruit, and Candy Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh mint leaves or rosemary sprigs work wonderfully as natural green garnishes that complement the colors and add a light herbal aroma. Tiny edible gold stars or snowflake sprinkles can also make the presentation more magical and festive.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside warm drinks like hot cocoa or spiced cider to extend the cozy feel. A light cheese platter or a selection of nuts can also complement the flavors and provide guests with salty-savory options to balance the sweetness of the board.
Creative Ways to Present
Try assembling the board on a rustic wooden cutting board or a festive ceramic platter to enhance the visual appeal. Use small bowls or jars for marshmallows and candies if you want more structure. Elevate some elements with edible platforms made from stacked cookies or small cake stands to create dimension and interest.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover the board loosely with plastic wrap and store it in a cool place if it will be consumed within the day. For longer storage, separate the components into airtight containers—cookies and pretzels stay crisp best stored in sealed containers at room temperature.
Freezing
While most items on this board do not freeze well (especially fresh fruit and candies that could melt or become soggy), cookies and pretzels can be frozen. Store them in airtight freezer bags to maintain freshness.
Reheating
No reheating necessary for this snack board! Simply bring it to room temperature before serving if stored in a cool place, allowing the flavors and textures to be at their best.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sugar cookies with another type of cookie?
Absolutely! Gingerbread or snickerdoodle cookies also complement the holiday flavors beautifully and add interesting textures to your snack board.
What do I do if I don’t have candy eyeballs?
No worries! You can skip them or replace them with festive candies like mini peppermint rounds or small chocolate chips to keep the fun factor intact.
How far in advance can I prepare this snack board?
Most components can be prepped a day ahead except for fresh fruit, which is best added just before serving to keep everything fresh and juicy.
Can I make this snack board gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap out regular pretzels and cookies with gluten-free versions—there are plenty of tasty options available that work great in this recipe.
What’s the best way to keep the pretzels from getting soggy?
Keep pretzels stored separately until just before assembling the board and avoid placing fresh fruit directly on them to prevent moisture transfer.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try the Festive Christmas Snack Board with Cookies, Pretzels, Fruit, and Candy Recipe because it’s one of those effortless yet show-stopping holiday treats that bring smiles instantly. It’s all about bringing together simple ingredients that taste incredible when shared, so gather your favorite goodies, get creative, and watch this snack board become the star of your celebrations. Happy holidays!
Print
Festive Christmas Snack Board with Cookies, Pretzels, Fruit, and Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A festive and colorful Christmas Snack Board featuring an assortment of sweet and salty treats including sugar cookies, pretzels, candy, chocolates, fruits, and cheese slices, perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to assemble.
Ingredients
Sweet Treats
- 20 sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses
- 20 red/green M&Ms
- 15 mini red M&Ms
- ¼ cup red/green M&Ms
- 30 candy eyeballs
- Mini marshmallows (quantity as desired)
Salty Snacks
- 20 square pretzels
- 30 straight mini pretzel rods
- 2 cups square pretzels
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
Chocolates & Sugars
- ⅓ cup brown chocolate melting wafers
- ¾ cup white chocolate melting wafers
- Red sanding sugar (to taste)
- Green sanding sugar (to taste)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Fruits & Cheese
- Raspberries (quantity as desired)
- Strawberries (quantity as desired)
- Green grapes (quantity as desired)
- Cheese slices, such as Cheddar or Mozzarella (quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Prepare Chocolate Melts: Melt the brown and white chocolate melting wafers separately in microwave-safe bowls, heating in 20-30 second intervals and stirring until smooth.
- Decorate Pretzels: Dip mini pretzel rods and square pretzels into the melted chocolate wafers, then immediately sprinkle with red or green sanding sugar for a festive look. Allow to set on parchment paper.
- Assemble the Snack Board: On a large serving board or platter, arrange sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses, square and mini pretzels, Rice Chex cereal clusters (optional: lightly coated with melted chocolate), candy eyeballs, M&Ms in red and green colors, mini marshmallows, fresh raspberries, strawberries, green grapes, and cheese slices. Use the powdered sugar to dust areas for a snowy effect if desired.
- Final Touches: Add any remaining candies or decorations to fill gaps and create a visually appealing and colorful holiday display.
- Serve: Present the Christmas Snack Board immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute peppermint Hershey Kisses with sugar cookies for a different sweet touch.
- Use good quality melting wafers or chocolate for best results when decorating pretzels.
- Feel free to add other festive candies or nuts based on your preference.
- The cereal can be lightly coated with melted chocolate to create clusters but this step is optional.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
