Contents
- 1 Welcome the Holidays with a Sugar Cookie Fudge Dessert Board
- 2 Why Sugar Cookie Fudge Is the Star of the Board
- 3 Easy Sugar Cookie Fudge Recipe
- 4 Building the Perfect Holiday Dessert Board
- 5 Add Complementary Desserts
- 6 Color Scheme Ideas for Your Dessert Board
- 7 Elevate Your Presentation with These Tips
- 8 Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- 9 Serving Suggestions for Gatherings
- 10 Creative Gifting Idea: Mini Dessert Boards
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions
- 12 Final Touches: Add a Little Magic
The holiday season is the perfect time to go all-out with treats, and nothing delivers more impact (and flavor!) than a well-arranged dessert board. Imagine an entire platter overflowing with color, texture, and sweetness — featuring melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie fudge, festive cookies, truffles, candies, and more. It’s a show-stopping centerpiece that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas gathering, bringing something special to a potluck, or creating an edible gift that wows, this sugar cookie fudge dessert board is an unforgettable way to celebrate.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
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Make a foolproof batch of sugar cookie fudge
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Design a balanced dessert grazing board
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Choose the best mix-ins and pairings
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Store, serve, and gift your board beautifully
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Get answers to common questions for success
Let’s build the ultimate sweet holiday experience — one square of creamy fudge at a time.
Sugar cookie fudge is the perfect hero ingredient for any dessert board. Here’s why:
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Visually Stunning: Its white base sprinkled with colorful holiday accents pops on any tray.
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Versatile: Cut into squares, circles, or even festive shapes.
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Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Loved by adults and children alike.
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Easy to Make Ahead: Keeps well in the fridge or freezer, perfect for prepping in advance.
This no-bake sugar cookie fudge recipe creates the creamiest, most festive fudge that’s ideal for a grazing platter.
Ingredients:
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3 cups white chocolate chips
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1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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½ tsp almond extract (optional but enhances the sugar cookie flavor)
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¾ cup crushed baked sugar cookies
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Holiday sprinkles (red, green, gold, or themed to your board colors)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Pan:
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides. -
Melt Chocolate & Milk:
In a saucepan over low heat, stir white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and fully melted. Don’t overheat. -
Add Flavor:
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and almond extracts. -
Mix in Cookies:
Gently fold in the crushed sugar cookies. -
Pour & Decorate:
Spread evenly in the pan. Top with sprinkles. Press them lightly so they set into the fudge. -
Chill:
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm. -
Cut & Serve:
Lift out using parchment paper and cut into 1-inch squares or use cookie cutters for shapes.
Building the Perfect Holiday Dessert Board
Creating a visually striking and well-balanced dessert board is easier than it looks. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Choose Your Base
Pick a serving board or tray that suits your style and gathering size:
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Wooden charcuterie boards
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Slate or marble platters
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Ceramic or festive holiday trays
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Disposable cardboard dessert boards for gifting
Tip: The bigger the board, the more elements you can include — but even a small tray can look luxurious if arranged thoughtfully.
Step 2: Arrange the Sugar Cookie Fudge First
Place your sugar cookie fudge in the center or evenly spaced in sections across the board. Use paper liners or place them on a raised section to add dimension.
You can:
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Stack fudge pieces in mini pyramids
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Line them up in neat rows
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Use mini cupcake liners for a clean presentation
Add Complementary Desserts
Variety makes a dessert board fun and exciting. Pair your sugar cookie fudge with 5–7 other sweets that contrast in texture and flavor.
Great Pairings:
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Cookies: Gingerbread men, snickerdoodles, thumbprint cookies, shortbread
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Chocolate Candies: Truffles, chocolate-dipped pretzels, peanut butter cups
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Seasonal Treats: Peppermint bark, chocolate-covered marshmallows, toffee squares
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Fruits: Sugared cranberries, dried oranges, grapes
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Crunchy Snacks: Biscotti, candy-coated almonds, chocolate wafers
Balance is key — aim for a mix of soft, crunchy, chewy, rich, and light.
Color Scheme Ideas for Your Dessert Board
Use sprinkles, fruits, wrappers, and candies to match a festive theme.
Holiday Color Combos:
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Classic Christmas: Red, green, and white
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Winter Wonderland: Silver, white, pale blue
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Rustic Warmth: Gold, brown, and cranberry
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Modern Minimalist: White, gold, and black accents
Elevate Your Presentation with These Tips
Want your dessert board to look Pinterest-worthy? Try these tricks:
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Use height: Stack some elements, use bowls or ramekins for smaller items.
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Add greenery: Pine sprigs, rosemary, or mini ornaments add festive vibes.
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Include tongs or toothpicks: Keeps things tidy, especially in larger groups.
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Label treats: Small chalkboard signs or tags help guests with allergies or preferences.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Prep Timeline:
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Sugar cookie fudge: Make up to 2 weeks ahead and store in the fridge
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Cookies & truffles: Can be made 3–7 days ahead depending on the type
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Assembly: Build the board the day of the event, ideally 1–3 hours before serving
Storage:
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Refrigerate assembled board if needed, then let sit at room temp for 20–30 minutes before serving.
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Store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions for Gatherings
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Serve with a pot of hot chocolate, coffee, or herbal tea
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Place your dessert board in the center of the table for grazing-style enjoyment
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Use for cookie exchanges, church gatherings, holiday potlucks, or office parties
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Pair with a savory cheese board for the ultimate sweet + salty combo
Creative Gifting Idea: Mini Dessert Boards
Turn this dessert board into multiple gifts by creating mini versions in small bakery boxes or reusable tins.
What to Include:
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2–3 pieces of sugar cookie fudge
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2 cookies
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A few candies or truffles
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A note with “Merry Christmas” or “Sweet Holidays” and storage instructions
Great for:
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Teachers
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Neighbors
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Co-workers
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Delivery drivers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade or store-bought sugar cookies in the fudge?
Yes, either works! Just make sure they’re fully baked and cooled before crushing and mixing in.
How long does sugar cookie fudge last on a dessert board?
At room temperature, it stays fresh for 3–5 hours. For best results, refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving.
What can I substitute for white chocolate chips?
You can use white candy melts or white baking bars. Avoid using white chocolate with low cocoa butter content — it won’t melt properly.
Can I make this dessert board dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free white chocolate and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Be sure all added treats are also dairy-free.
How many servings does one dessert board provide?
Depends on size and content. A medium board typically serves 10–15 people, while a large board can serve up to 30.
Final Touches: Add a Little Magic
Don’t forget to have fun with the little details:
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Dust your dessert board with powdered sugar for a “snowy” look
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Tie ribbon around the board for gifting
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Play soft holiday music while serving to create a full sensory experience
The beauty of this dessert board is that it’s customizable, approachable, and guaranteed to impress your guests with minimal effort.
