How to Make Strawberries and Cream Dessert Charcuterie Board (Platter)
So good and indulgent, learn how to make an easy dessert charcuterie board (platter) piled up with fresh strawberries and cream!
Let’s do this: how to make this simple strawberries and cream dessert charcuterie board!
On the weekends, there’s so much I love to try to fit in, and one of those things happens to be visiting the farmer’s market. So much many gorgeous farm-fresh foods, eggs, and plants to peruse, it all makes me happy.
May and June in Georgia mean that farm-fresh strawberries are abundant and ready to enjoy.
Without fail, I find myself trying to figure out all of the delicious things I can make with these sweet and juicy strawberries. There are so many ways to enjoy them, from drinks to jams, and salads to straight out of the fridge.
This time, I went the simple, quick, and easy approach. The only baking or cooking I did was to make the chocolate dip which only takes a few minutes, plus make a batch of mini meringues, both of which can be done the day before. The day of, I made the fresh whipped cream, which only takes a few minutes.
I love spring and summer, and there’s nothing like enjoying fresh produce!
Even though strawberries are best in my area during May and June, with the abundance of options to source them throughout the year, you can most definitely build this strawberries and cream dessert board any time of year. Enjoy this dessert platter not only during the peak of harvest in spring, but it’s gorgeous for your summer BBQs, as a special Valentine’s Day dessert, the Holidays, and as a wonderful addition to birthday or dinner parties.
Dessert Boards are easy to make and everyone will love them!
The beauty of a dessert board is how adaptable it can be with seasonal fruits. You can use any of your favorite berries if you prefer, or even skip the fruit and create a smores themed dessert board with chocolates, marshmallows, graham crackers, and don’t forget to get that fire pit or personal portable fire bowl set up to go with it.
What is Charcuterie?
Traditionally, the French word charcuterie refers to the preparation or the type of cooking of meat products. Before there was refrigeration, our ancestors had to use different means to keep or preserve it, and charcuterie was a way of preserving meats so that they could be enjoyed for a longer period of time.
Today, we have taken an artistic license with the word charcuterie to include a board with a spread of foods, from meats and cheeses to fruits and desserts. Albeit an inaccurate use of the word, it has become more of a description of the presentation rather than the types of foods served on the board or platter.
Ideas of What You’ll Need:
- Fresh strawberries
- Shortbread cookies or your favorite cookies
- Mini meringues, fresh-made or store-bought
- Dried strawberries
- Chocolate candies, such as Bumbles honeycomb chocolate-covered candies
- Demerara or pure cane sugar
- Semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- Heavy cream (enough for both the chocolate dip and fresh whipped cream)
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut spread, if not making your own chocolate dip
- Store-bought whipped topping, if not making your own whipped cream
- Serving board
- Pinch bowls or small bowls
- Toothpicks or cocktails sticks
How To Create A Dessert Charcuterie Board:
Step One:
- If making your own mini meringue kisses, you can follow the recipe here. They can be made the day before. You can also opt to buy store-bought mini meringues at specialty stores, such as Cost Plus World Market.
- Prepare the chocolate dip either heating over low heat on the stove or popping it into the microwave for a few seconds at a time until melted. You can do this step the day before to save on time.
- Make the whipped cream with heavy cream, vanilla (optional), and a bit of sugar, using a hand or stand mixer. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Step Two:
- Use your favorite board, tray, or platter and start placing cleaned strawberries in groups around the board. Add other items, such as chocolate-covered honeycomb candies, meringues, dried strawberries, and whatever you fancy.
Step Three:
- If using demerara sugar, chocolate spread, honey, or other items that might get lost on the board, simply put those ingredients in small bowls such as pinch bowls to keep them together.
- Don’t forget to add toothpicks or cocktail sticks for convenience as well.
Step Four:
- When arranging your dessert charcuterie board, feel free to lay it out however you wish. I like to create it with the guests in mind, how easily they can reach the foods they wish to nibble on, and then add on the creative swirl of color, and then place items in groups around the board.
Tips and Tricks for an indulgent Dessert Charcuterie Board
This dessert charcuterie board filled with strawberries and cream, chocolates, and shortbread cookies are perfect for sharing with family or friends. With these tips and tricks, it will be even easier to create!
- Choose quality ingredients. I’m a budget-conscious mom, but I also know that if the flavor isn’t there, the food might easily get wasted and that’s not an option. So according to my budget, I try to get the highest quality ingredients and foods that will be enjoyed.
- Chocolates! Nothing pairs as perfectly with strawberries and cream as luxurious chocolates. I’m all for using dark chocolates, but if you have your favorites, then go for it. Try to use the best quality you can find since this is more of a tasting board.
- Make the chocolate dip and mini meringues ahead of time, they can be made up to a week ahead and will keep well until needed.
- Be picky when selecting your berries. This I know is a given, but really think of your presentation and know that this is time to spoil your guests with gorgeous produce.
- Make the whipped cream the day of serving. Again, I know this is a given, but try to make the whipped cream within an hour of serving. It only takes a few minutes and is best made with well-chilled cream. Remember to keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
OTHER TASTY RECIPES TO TRY:
- Chocolate Malt Ice Cream, oh my yes, please!
- Eton Mess, a creamy and delicious British-inspired dessert.
- Mini Meringue Kisses (Cookies), so easy to make and can be kept for up to a week.
- Tres Leches Cake, absolutely easy to make and so good!
How to Build a Dessert Charcuterie Board:
How to Make Strawberries and Cream Dessert Charcuterie Board (Platter)
Easy to make dessert platter, Strawberries and Cream dessert charcuterie board, perfect for sharing with friends and family any time of year!
Ingredients
- 2 - 3 quarts fresh strawberries, half left whole, remaining halved if desired
- A selection of shortbread cookies or your favorite cookies, I used Walkers Shortbread
- Mini meringues, fresh-made or store-bought
- 1/2 - 1 cup dried strawberries, optional
- A selection of chocolate candies, such as Bumbles honeycomb chocolate-covered candies
- 1/2 cup course demerara sugar
For the Chocolate Dip:
- 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy or whipping cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Instructions
Make-ahead Choclate Dip:
- In a saucepan filled with about 1 inch of water, bring to a simmer over low heat. Set a glass or metal bowl over the sauepan to wear it sits or hovers over the simmering water but not touching or submerged.
- Add the chocolate, cream, butter, and a pinch of salt and allow to melt, stir using a whisk or spoon , mixing until well combined and glossy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- At this point, once cooled, you can place in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 5 - 7 days ahead. When ready to serve, allow to come to room temperature, stir, and place in serving bowl.
For the Whipped Cream:
- Using a stand or hand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, mix together the chilled heavy or whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla on medium high speed until medium stiff peaks form, 3 - 5 minutes. Be careful and keep your eye out so that the cream doesn't turn chuncky and become butter.
- Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and chill. Can be made up to 1 day ahead, but best if made the day of serving.
Build the Dessert Charcuterie Board:
- Using your favorite board or platter, gather the prepared ingredients and goodies. Start by placing the different bowls or vessels of chocolate dip, whipped cream, honey if using, and course sugar on the board with space in between.
- Now add the remaining goodies in groups around the board in a way that each of your guests will be able to easily reach and grab their desired yummies.
- Don't forget to include toothpicks or cocktails sticks, small plates, and napkins as well.
- Try to make your board no more than 2 hours ahead of serving. Keep loosly covered with plastic wrap until ready to serve, and also make sure to keep in a cool room so that the chocolates melt or whipped cream looses consistency.
Notes
The chocolate dip and mini mergingues (if making homemade) can be made the day before. You can make the whipped cream up to a day ahead, but it is much better to make the day of serving.
Running out of time? You can substitute the chocolate dip with Nutella, the homemade whipped cream for store-bought whipped topping, and the homemade mini meringues for store-bought.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 541Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 92mgCarbohydrates: 64gFiber: 8gSugar: 50gProtein: 5g
Stacey is a Southern girl with a taste for travel, thriving on the discovery of the world through food. After spending many years traveling and living overseas, she’s now back home in her beloved deep south enjoying life with her three little ones and loving the adventure. She’s a food stylist and food photographer, as well as, the creative behind Little Figgy Food, where she loves to inspire others to try new flavors and foodie techniques.
