Pin it A whimsical, festive dessert board featuring homemade gingerbread cookies, spiced dips, candies, and decorative treats arranged to resemble a charming holiday village.
This dessert board brings a magical holiday spirit to any gathering with charming gingerbread creations and tasty accompaniments.
Ingredients
- Gingerbread Cookies: 3 cups (375 g) all purpose flour 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter softened 1/2 cup (125 ml) molasses 1 large egg 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt
- Royal Icing: 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar 1 large egg white (or 2 tbsp aquafaba for egg free) 1/2 tsp lemon juice Food coloring (optional)
- Dips & Spreads: 1 cup (240 g) vanilla yogurt 2 tbsp honey 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup (120 g) chocolate hazelnut spread
- Assorted Sweets & Decorations: 1 cup (100 g) mini marshmallows 1/2 cup (50 g) assorted gumdrops 1/2 cup (50 g) chocolate buttons or coins 1/2 cup (50 g) peppermint candies 1/2 cup (50 g) pretzel sticks 1/2 cup (50 g) candy canes broken into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the gingerbread dough:
- In a large bowl cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. In a separate bowl whisk flour spices baking soda and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture mixing until combined. Divide dough in half wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into house tree star or village shapes using cookie cutters. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment.
- Bake cookies:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Make the royal icing:
- Beat powdered sugar egg white (or aquafaba) and lemon juice until smooth. Divide and tint with food coloring if desired. Transfer to piping bags.
- Decorate cookies:
- Decorate cooled cookies as village houses and trees using icing and candies. Let icing set.
- Prepare yogurt dip:
- Mix yogurt honey and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Assemble dessert board:
- Arrange gingerbread cookies dips and assorted sweets on a large board or platter building a festive village scene. Use pretzel sticks and marshmallows for fencing and snow and candies for decorations.
Pin it This dessert board has become a holiday tradition my family loves gathering around to decorate and enjoy together.
Required Tools
Electric mixer Mixing bowls Rolling pin Cookie cutters (village shapes) Baking sheets Cooling rack Parchment paper Piping bags
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (wheat) eggs dairy and nuts (if using chocolate hazelnut spread) For egg free use aquafaba in royal icing For nut free choose chocolate spread without nuts Always check labels on candies for allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories 390 Total Fat 11 g Carbohydrates 68 g Protein 5 g
Pin it This gingerbread village board adds joy and warmth to holiday festivities in just under an hour.
Recipe FAQs
- → How long does it take to prepare the gingerbread dough?
It takes about 15 minutes to mix the dough plus 30 minutes for chilling before rolling and shaping.
- → What spices are used in the gingerbread cookies?
The cookies feature ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a warm, aromatic profile.
- → Can I decorate the cookies ahead of time?
Yes, cookies can be baked and decorated a day in advance to allow icing to set fully.
- → What alternatives are available for egg-free icing?
Aquafaba can replace egg whites when making royal icing for an egg-free option.
- → What are good pairings with this dessert spread?
Hot chocolate and spiced tea complement the spicy cookies and creamy dips perfectly.