Save 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 has become a beloved tradition in our family, bringing holiday cheer and creativity to our gatherings.
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 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.
Save Our family enjoys gathering around this gingerbread village, sharing stories and laughs while decorating the festive treats.
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 (per serving)
Calories: 390, Total Fat: 11 g, Carbohydrates: 68 g, Protein: 5 g
Save This gingerbread village dessert board is sure to impress your guests and bring holiday joy to your table.
Recipe Help
- → How do I keep gingerbread cookies soft?
Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness by retaining moisture.
- → Can I make the royal icing egg-free?
Yes, substitute egg whites with aquafaba to create egg-free royal icing that still hardens nicely.
- → What spices are used in the gingerbread dough?
Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg combine to give a warm, aromatic flavor to the dough.
- → How long should the dough chill before baking?
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up and make rolling and cutting easier.
- → What are good decorating options for the village board?
Use royal icing, gumdrops, peppermint candies, mini marshmallows, and pretzel sticks to create festive details and textures.
- → Can I prepare components ahead of time?
Yes, preparing and decorating cookies a day prior allows flavors to develop and assembly to be quicker.