Picture this: it’s Saturday night, your friends are coming over, and you need something that screams effortlessly impressive but takes less time than picking a movie on Netflix. Enter the Chocolate Charcuterie Board—the sweet cousin of the traditional meat-and-cheese spread. Except this one is all about chocolate treats, decadent dippers, and glossy sauces that make your guests’ eyes go wide.
This recipe isn’t just about piling sweets on a platter (though, let’s be real, that’s part of the fun). It’s about creating a dessert board that feels indulgent and playful all at once. Think chocolate covered strawberries flirting with peanut butter cups, and cookies cozying up to silky caramel sauce.
Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash, girls’ night, or just want to end Sunday dinner on a high note, this chocolate platter will have everyone hovering around the table. And the best part? You don’t even need to turn on the oven. Just a little arranging, a touch of creativity, and voilà—you’re the hostess with the mostess.
So grab your favorite sweets, and let’s build the dessert board of your dreams.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Charcuterie Board
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Effortless Elegance: Zero baking required—just assemble and serve.
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Crowd-Pleasing Variety: From crunchy pretzels to silky truffles, there’s something for everyone.
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Perfect for Parties: Whether it’s a casual get-together or a holiday spread, this chocolate platter fits right in.
Ingredients
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200 g (7 oz) assorted Ghirardelli chocolate squares
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150 g (5 oz) Pirouette cookies
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6 chocolate macarons (approx. 90 g / 3 oz)
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120 g (4 oz) chocolate wafer cookies
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4 small cannoli (approx. 200 g / 7 oz)
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250 g (9 oz) homemade quadruple chocolate chunk cookies
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100 g (3.5 oz) chocolate-covered espresso beans
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120 g (4 oz) turtle candies
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150 g (5 oz) peanut butter cups
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120 g (4 oz) chocolate truffles (rolled in cocoa powder or cacao nibs)
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200 g (7 oz) chocolate ganache (homemade or store-bought)
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150 g (5 oz) salted caramel sauce
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1 chocolate chip cheese ball rolled in 60 g (2 oz) chopped walnuts
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100 g (3.5 oz) graham crackers
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2 medium apples (red & green), sliced (approx. 250 g / 9 oz)
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100 g (3.5 oz) pretzel rods
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80 g (3 oz) whole almonds
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100 g (3.5 oz) fresh cherries
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12 chocolate-covered strawberries (approx. 300 g / 10.5 oz)
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120 g (4 oz) white chocolate-covered pretzels
Steps to Assemble
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Anchor the Big Players: Place the chocolate chip cheese ball on parchment to prevent sticking. Add bowls for ganache and caramel, plus a jar for Pirouette cookies.
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Pair Dippers with Dips: Arrange graham crackers near the cheese ball, then place apples, cherries, almonds, and pretzels close to the sauces. Stick a pretzel rod in the ganache for a “hint” to guests.
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Add the Stars: Spread out cookies, truffles, macarons, and candies. Keep similar items grouped together for visual appeal.
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Chill Out: Add fresh items like strawberries and cannoli right before serving to keep them vibrant.
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Final Touches: Adjust spacing so every bite is easy to grab. Serve immediately and watch it disappear.
Tips for a Perfect Dessert Board
Here’s where the magic happens—because anyone can dump chocolate on a tray, but presentation makes this chocolate spread next-level. A few tricks:
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Play with height: Use jars, bowls, and small stands to add dimension. Pirouette cookies look extra fancy when standing tall.
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Balance flavors: Pair sweet with salty (pretzels, nuts) so no one gets sugar overload.
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Color counts: Dark chocolate looks moody, but toss in strawberries and cherries for a fresh pop.
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Freshness matters: Don’t cut apples until right before serving—nobody likes sad, brown slices. A quick dip in lemon water keeps them bright.
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Keep it neat-ish: A little “organized chaos” looks inviting, but avoid total chocolate avalanche.
A Little Story from My Kitchen
The first time I made a dessert board like this, it was for a family movie night. I’ll be honest—my kids thought I’d lost it when I pulled out a jar of ganache for dipping apples. But five minutes later, they were elbow-deep in chocolate, declaring it the “best movie snack ever.” My husband? He was camped by the peanut butter cups like they were going out of style.
Since then, this has become my go-to for gatherings. It’s fuss-free, makes everyone feel spoiled, and (bonus!) keeps people out of my kitchen because they’re too busy hovering over the board. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is.
What to Serve with a Chocolate Charcuterie Board
This chocolate platter can hold its own, but pairing it with a few extras really takes it up a notch. Sparkling wine or champagne makes the chocolate sing, while a simple pot of coffee or espresso balances all the sweetness. For a family-friendly option, hot cocoa with whipped cream is a guaranteed hit.
If you’re serving this after dinner, keep the meal lighter—think grilled chicken or salad—so dessert doesn’t feel overwhelming. And don’t be afraid to mix in a few fresh fruits beyond apples and cherries: raspberries, blueberries, and sliced pears are fabulous with chocolate.
How to Store Leftovers
If by some miracle you have leftovers (hey, it happens), here’s how to keep them fresh:
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Cookies & Candies: Store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 5 days.
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Ganache & Caramel: Refrigerate in sealed jars for up to a week; reheat gently before serving.
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Fruit: Sadly, fruit doesn’t last—enjoy it the same day.
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Chocolate-Covered Strawberries & Cannoli: Best eaten within 24 hours for freshness.
Pro tip: Store items separately instead of shoving the whole board in the fridge. Trust me, nobody wants soggy cookies.
FAQs
Can I substitute store-bought cookies?
Absolutely! While homemade cookies are amazing, any good-quality cookie will shine on this dessert board.
What if I don’t have ganache?
Swap it with Nutella, hot fudge, or even a thick chocolate spread. Guests won’t complain.
Do I have to use apples?
Not at all. Pears, bananas, or even dried apricots pair beautifully with chocolate.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes—prep the dry items and arrange them on the board. Add fresh fruit and chilled items just before serving.
How big should my board be?
A large wooden cutting board works perfectly, but don’t stress—it can be as simple as a baking sheet lined with parchment.
The Sweet Ending
At the end of the day, a Chocolate Charcuterie Board is more than just dessert—it’s an experience. It invites everyone to gather, nibble, and indulge without the formality of a plated dessert. Whether you’re feeding kids, impressing guests, or just treating yourself (because hey, you deserve it), this dessert board is pure joy on a platter.
So next time you need a foolproof party sweet, skip the fancy soufflé and go for chocolate charcuterie. Your guests will be raving, and you’ll look like a rockstar—with minimal effort.
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Print
Showstopper Chocolate Charcuterie Board
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
Description
This Chocolate Charcuterie Board is the ultimate no-bake dessert platter—loaded with chocolates, cookies, candies, fruits, and decadent dips. Perfect for parties, holidays, or casual get-togethers, it’s effortlessly impressive yet easy to assemble in just 25 minutes. With its mix of flavors, textures, and colors, this board is guaranteed to wow your guests and disappear fast.
Ingredients
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200 g (7 oz) assorted Ghirardelli chocolate squares
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150 g (5 oz) Pirouette cookies
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6 chocolate macarons (90 g / 3 oz)
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120 g (4 oz) chocolate wafer cookies
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4 small cannoli (200 g / 7 oz)
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250 g (9 oz) homemade quadruple chocolate chunk cookies
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100 g (3.5 oz) chocolate covered espresso beans
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120 g (4 oz) turtle candies
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150 g (5 oz) peanut butter cups
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120 g (4 oz) chocolate truffles (rolled in cocoa or cacao nibs)
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200 g (7 oz) chocolate ganache (homemade or store-bought)
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150 g (5 oz) salted caramel sauce
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1 chocolate chip cheese ball rolled in 60 g (2 oz) chopped walnuts
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100 g (3.5 oz) graham crackers
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2 medium apples, sliced (250 g / 9 oz)
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100 g (3.5 oz) pretzel rods
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80 g (3 oz) whole almonds
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100 g (3.5 oz) fresh cherries
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12 chocolate-covered strawberries (300 g / 10.5 oz)
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120 g (4 oz) white chocolate-covered pretzels
Instructions
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Place the chocolate chip cheese ball on parchment to prevent sticking. Add bowls for ganache and caramel; place Pirouette cookies in a jar.
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Arrange dippers near dips: graham crackers by the cheese ball, apples, cherries, almonds, and pretzels by sauces. Stick a pretzel rod in ganache as a “hint.”
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Add cookies, truffles, macarons, and candies. Group similar items for visual appeal.
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Add fresh fruit, strawberries, and cannoli just before serving to keep them vibrant.
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Adjust spacing for easy access and serve immediately.
Notes
Use jars, bowls, or stands to add dimension to your board.
Balance sweet and salty elements with pretzels and nuts.
Cut apples last and dip in lemon water to prevent browning.
Store leftovers separately to keep textures intact.
Swap ganache with Nutella or fudge sauce if needed.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts / Party Platters
- Method: No-Cook Assembly
- Cuisine: American