CUPID'S SWEET TREATS BOARD

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

Love-inspired and heart-shaped goodies galore can be found on Cupid's Sweet Treats Board. Filled with heart-shaped cookies, colorful red and pink candies, fresh fruit, and all things sweet, nothing is more easy, fun and relaxing than a sweet treat with your Valentines!  

​Holiday dessert boards are my favorite - and what's not to love?  Easy to create, pretty to look at, and tasty for everyone - Cupid's Sweet Treats Board will make it a sweet day for both big and small Valentine celebrations.  ​

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

SIMPLE & EASY ENTERTAINING:

When I think of Valentine celebrations, I think of sweets and treats that are old-fashioned favorites - unfussy, colorful, and maybe something new and even a little bit quirky!  Charcuterie or grazing boards are the perfect fit, because you can choose tasty Valentine-themed foods and serve them in a way that people can help themselves and come back for more.  The absolute easiest way to entertain!

Whether you're putting together a party for a school classroom or to share at the office, a gaggle of kids or grandchildren, or a fun family gathering, Cupid's Sweet Treats Board is the perfect thing to serve along with a Valentine Charcuterie Board!  

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF A GREAT VALENTINE CHARCUTERIE BOARD?

The secret of a great Valentine sweets board is to find your favorite treats - and to have a few surprises!  The goal is to assemble a board filled with texture and color that fits with your theme - be it something old-fashioned, something simple and new, something for young and old alike. 

​For Valentine's Day that means lots of fresh fruit and heart-shaped treats in red and pink hues.  It's easy to add Valentine chocolates, decorated sugar cookies and cupcakes, and chocolate-covered strawberries.  There are no rules - just have fun!
​
​For my Cupid's Sweet Treats Board I used a loving mix of some of our favorite store-bought treats and some homemade items too.  Mix and match your favorites for something wonderful and unique every time!

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

HOW TO MAKE A VALENTINE'S SWEET TREAT BOARD:

Step 1:  Start by gathering the perfect sweet treats for Valentine's Day:  

• A color pallet of red, pink, white and every kind of chocolate are the perfect colors for Valentine's Day.
• Valentine themed and novelty sweets typically start appearing in stores in early January, and as with most holidays, you'll need to shop early and tuck away treats for Valentine's Day for the best selection.  Heart-shaped chocolates, marshmallows, lip gummies, fruit jellies and love-themed treats are always wonderful!
• If you'll be serving this to little ones, heart-shaped cereals, fruit treats, miniature cupcakes, muffins, little cookies and fresh fruits are always perfect.  Valentine jello jigglers are always a big hit and disappear fast!  Little ones just LOVE finger foods and serving themselves!
• I usually start baking heart-shaped cookies a few weeks before Valentine's Day and then individually wrap and freeze them until it's time to serve.  Heart-shaped cupcakes, cakes and brownies can be made the day before.
• Trader Joes and Target always have wonderful Valentine sweets and bakery items if you are looking for easy shortcuts.  Trader Joes is especially wonderful if you are looking for gluten-free options and dye-free candies.  
• Gather everything together and lay it out so that you can see exactly what you're going to be working with - you don't want to run out of space and have to squish things to fit them on your board, or worse, run out of room and have to leave something off!

Step 2: Select a sturdy tray or board and place your ramekins:

• You may have a special Valentine-themed tray or wooden heart-shaped board that you want to use, but it isn't necessary.  Once you load up your treats, it won't even matter!  Your guests will be serving directly from the board, so be sure to use something sturdy.  You can always add additional platters if you are preparing this for a crowd.
• Similar to how we make charcuterie boards, I like to place ramekins or small glass or wooden bowls first to create a symmetrical foundation.   
• For a Valentine board, themed heart-shaped ramekins are perfect!

Step 3: Add large scale items next:  

• I like to line up larger items on the edges of the board next to create a barrier for the smaller items so they don’t fall off.  This includes cookies, cupcakes and brownies.  
• After you have your corners set up, arrange items in flowing patterns or groupings around the small ramekins you already have in place, to create visual interest and textures throughout the board.  

​Step 4: Pay attention to color distribution and items that need to be "segregated":  

• Be careful to keep moist items away from other food items that need to be kept dry - for example, you will want to keep fresh fruit away from cookies or candies that will "melt" if near something moist.
• Spread out similar colors, food items and textures to create visual interest and balance. 

​Step 5: Fill ramekins and any empty spots:  

• Add fresh fruits and place smaller Valentine candies in gaps to make the board look full and abundant - but be careful not to over-fill.  Start with small amounts of each item - you can easily add additional items to your board as time goes by.

​Step 6:  It's time to serve!

• Make sure that  you have small tongs or spoons next to the board along with appetizer plates and napkins. 
• Provide small party bags or boxes for guests to take home extras, or to share with someone that can't be there to share in the fun!

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

FOR MY CUPID'S SWEET TREATS BOARD I USED:

• Cinnamon Jelly Hearts
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
• Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses
• Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Chocolate Fudge Cookies
• Valentine Chocolate Peanut M&M’s
• Jolly Rancher Valentine Hearts
• Conversation Hearts
• Dove Dark Chocolate Hearts
• Vanilla Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
• Valentine Chocolate M&M’s
• Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Raspberries
• Gummi Lips
• Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

CHARCUTERIE BOARDS OR SWEET TREATS FOR VEGANS OR ALLERGIES?

• It’s important to consider your guests – if you will be serving vegetarians or vegans, someone with food allergies, or children, it’s nice to include a selection of food items that they can enjoy.  If you don’t have room on your platter, you can prepare and serve them on a separate board.

• If you are hosting vegetarians/vegans, you should try to keep meats, seafood and cheeses separate from the other food.
• Food allergies and food sensitivities are so common, it’s helpful to identify anything that you know a guest may be allergic to, including “hidden” ingredients that may cause a problem.

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

CUPID'S SWEET TREATS BOARD

Love-inspired and heart-shaped goodies galore can be found on Cupid's Sweet Treats Board, Filled with heart-shaped cookies, colorful red and pink candies, fresh fruit, and all things sweet, nothing is more easy, fun and relaxing than a sweet treat with your Valentines!  ​

Cupid's Sweet Treats Board

INGREDIENTS:
 
FOR MY CUPID’S SWEET TREATS BOARD I USED:

• Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Heart Shaped Gourmet Jelly Beans
• Cinnamon Jelly Hearts
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
• Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses
• Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Chocolate Fudge Cookies
• Valentine Chocolate Peanut M&M’s
• Jolly Rancher Valentine Hearts
• Conversation Hearts
• Dove Dark Chocolate Hearts
• Vanilla Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
• Valentine Chocolate M&M’s
• Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Raspberries
• Gummi Lips
• Valentine Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

 
OTHER  IDEAS:

BAKERY:  a selection of homemade or store-bought treats:

• Valentine Sugar Cookies – some simple, some decorated
• Valentine Cupcakes - mini and regular cupcakes 
• Fruit Muffins – regular sized or mini 
• Jam-Filled Almond Shortbread Cookies dipped in Chocolate
• Ultimate Valentine Rice Krispies Bars
• Valentine Brownies
• Brownie Bites
• Heart Shaped Macarons
• Cheesecake Slices

 
NUTS & CHOCOLATES:  you can’t go wrong here at all with a selection of something simple and sweet – there are so many to choose from for Valentine’s Day!

• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Dark Chocolate Covered Raspberries
• Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate & Caramel Hearts
• Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Heart Shaped Gourmet Jelly Beans
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Valentine Squares
• Lindt Valentine Truffles
• Cashews
• Honey Roasted Peanuts
• Chocolate Covered Cherries
• Chocolate Covered Grapes

 
FRUITS:  a selection of seasonal fresh fruit gives you a nice balance and a burst of color.  A sweet dipping sauce (chocolate or caramel) is wonderful for dipping fresh fruit!

• Red Seedless Grapes
• Fresh Strawberries, Raspberries & Blackberries
• Fresh Apples & Pears (sliced – and you can fan into heart shapes for fun)
• Fresh Raspberries

 
DIPS:  a selection of silky, creamy and fluffy dips are perfect for dipping fresh fruit or cookies:

• Chocolate or Caramel Dessert Sauces
• Nutella
• Fresh Whipped Cream
• Marshmallow Crème Fruit Dip

 
SWEET TREATS:  Something sweet, something classic, something new!

• Conversation Hearts
• Valentine Gummies & Heart-Shaped Fruit Snacks
• Sugared Valentine Hearts or Fruit Slices
• Sour Valentine Jellies
• Hershey Valentine Kisses & Hugs
• Valentine M&M’s (your favorite plain, peanut, pretzel, etc.)
• Cinnamon Lips
• Heart-Shaped Marshmallows (a kid favorite!)

• Heart-shaped Jello jigglers
• Valentine’s Muddy Buddy Mix

 
HOW I MADE THIS:
Step 1:  Start by gathering the perfect sweet treats for Valentine's Day:  

• A color pallet of red, pink, white and every kind of chocolate are the perfect colors for Valentine's Day.
• Valentine themed and novelty sweets typically start appearing in stores in early January, and as with most holidays, you'll need to shop early and tuck away treats for Valentine's Day for the best selection.  Heart-shaped chocolates, marshmallows, lip gummies, fruit jellies and love-themed treats are always wonderful!
• If you'll be serving this to little ones, heart-shaped cereals, fruit treats, miniature cupcakes, muffins, little cookies and fresh fruits are always perfect.  Valentine jello jigglers are always a big hit and disappear fast!  Little ones just LOVE finger foods and serving themselves!
• I usually start baking heart-shaped cookies a few weeks before Valentine's Day and then individually wrap and freeze them until it's time to serve.  Heart-shaped cupcakes, cakes and brownies can be made the day before.
• Trader Joes and Target always have wonderful Valentine sweets and bakery items if you are looking for easy shortcuts.  Trader Joes is especially wonderful if you are looking for gluten-free options and dye-free candies.  
• Gather everything together and lay it out so that you can see exactly what you're going to be working with - you don't want to run out of space and have to squish things to fit them on your board, or worse, run out of room and have to leave something off!

Step 2: Select a sturdy tray or board and place your ramekins:

• You may have a special Valentine-themed tray or wooden heart-shaped board that you want to use, but it isn't necessary.  Once you load up your treats, it won't even matter!  Your guests will be serving directly from the board, so be sure to use something sturdy.  You can always add additional platters if you are preparing this for a crowd.
• Similar to how we make charcuterie boards, I like to place ramekins or small glass or wooden bowls first to create a symmetrical foundation.   
• For a Valentine board, themed heart-shaped ramekins are perfect!

Step 3: Add large scale items next:  

• I like to line up larger items on the edges of the board next to create a barrier for the smaller items so they don’t fall off.  This includes cookies, cupcakes and brownies.  
• After you have your corners set up, arrange items in flowing patterns or groupings around the small ramekins you already have in place, to create visual interest and textures throughout the board.  

Step 4: Pay attention to color distribution and items that need to be "segregated":  

• Be careful to keep moist items away from other food items that need to be kept dry - for example, you will want to keep fresh fruit away from cookies or candies that will "melt" if near something moist.
• Spread out similar colors, food items and textures to create visual interest and balance. 

​Step 5: Fill ramekins and any empty spots:  

• Add fresh fruits and place smaller Valentine candies in gaps to make the board look full and abundant - but be careful not to over-fill.  Start with small amounts of each item - you can easily add additional items to your board as time goes by.

Step 6:  It's time to serve!

• Make sure that you have small tongs or spoons next to the board along with appetizer plates and napkins. 
• Provide small party bags or boxes for guests to take home extras, or to share with someone that can't be there to share in the fun.

​YIELD:  This is the perfect board for 8 – but it serves a crowd!

Original recipe created and published February 2022 by Snowflakes & Coffeecakes
 
© SnowflakesandCoffeecakes.  All images, attachments & content are copyright protected. All rights reserved. Please do not use my images without prior permission.  If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to www.snowflakesandcoffeecakes.com for the recipe. ​

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