Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that I adore for one main reason – it’s just so cute. Pink and red hearts, rosebuds, colorful candies – what’s not to love? This year, I felt inspired to bring a little fun to our V-Day table for our home celebration and made a Valentine’s Day Dessert Charcuterie (Inspired) Board! I know “charcuterie” technically applies only to meats, so I’m calling this a Charcuterie-Inspired dessert board. Instead of your typical charcuterie appetizer, I filled this spread with delicious treats that my husband and I can enjoy just as much as our boys will.
First thing’s first: start with a great platter or board
- You can’t have a dessert board without the board! I used this one that I picked up for only $20, but you can get a similar one at most home stores or online. You can also think outside the box (or board) and use a colorful platter or tray that you love or fits with your theme.
- I had a bit of a free-for-all at Target and found myself with way too many leftovers (see photo below). So learn from my mistake – plan your treats in advance!
Get yourself set up with snacks and sweets organized in front of you
- You’ll want a variety of different kinds of sweets – and remember you can use anything you like! I aimed for a nice juxtaposition of treats with some bakery items, some candy, and some fruit. Fruit will really help add a nice balance to all of the desserts! It is nature’s candy, right? Make it your own, but aim for a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors.
- Think beyond the board! Separate smaller items by using small bowls like these. Alternatively, cupcake liners can be a great charcuterie board feature. You could even find some adorable Valentine’s Day themed ones!
Start by filling the edges of your dessert charcuterie board and work your way in
- Especially when you’re working with bulkier sweets like cinnamon rolls, the last thing you want is to have an overflowing board without enough room for everyone’s favorite Valentine’s Day desserts. Work your way out-to-in in order to fit everything comfortably.
- If you’re going for a certain aesthetic, play with colors and textures. You know I love my neutrals, so I went for sweets that were white, tan, chocolate brown, or pink (with a few reds mixed in there – it is Valentine’s Day after all).
- Add some bubbly, wine, or your favorite non-alcoholic drink to the spread to bring the whole dessert experience together. When I was pregnant, I loved sipping on Martinelli’s or Fre wine to still get the experience of my favorite adult beverage.
The most important piece of this one – have fun! It’s so easy to overthink a spread like this one (I mean there are whole classes you can take on making traditional charcuterie!) The best part about a dessert charcuterie board is that it’s meant to be whimsical and (no pun intended) sweet. Make it your own, and enjoy every last bite.
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Pin this for later when you’re craving a sweet treat!
