on Oct 14, 2022, Updated Dec 06, 2023 You’ve probably seen a variety of butter boards trending on social media, so I decided to make my own version with this Santa gnome dessert board using fruit dip! Not only is it completely simple and easy to make, you can make it your own using your favorite fruits, cookies, and crackers. I know what will be on our table on Christmas Eve! Everyone loves snacking on these goodies. And you know I have a special place in my heart for gnomes!
What I Love About This Recipe
Simple Ingredients Cute for a holiday party Easy to customize Great for kids
Ingredients
There’s not much to this ingredients list because we are just making a simple fruit dip. That said, I will list what we used to give you some ideas so you can make it your own!
For the fruit dip:
Marshmallow Fluff Full fat cream cheese Strawberries (quartered) – for the hat Vanilla wafer cookie – for the nose
For the Snack Board:
Banana Chips Vanilla wafer cookies Sugar wafers Mini marshmallows M&Ms (red and green)
Variations
Other snack ideas include animal crackers, apple slices, graham crackers, Chessman cookies, yogurt-dipped pretzels, grapes, and nuts. You could also add some Bugles Santa hats for more color and a salty kick. The idea is to use items your family will love and enjoy!
How to Make it
To get started, we’ll make a classic fruit dip. This one will take you back to your childhood! Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature for about an hour. Then add it to a mixing bowl with the marshmallow fluff. Using a spoon or electric hand mixer, stir until well combined. Once you have your dip, take your dessert board and start to spread on a beard shape with the dip using an offset spatula. Use as much or as little as you want depending on the size of your board.
For reference, my board is about 13.5×11.5 inches and I only used half a package each of the cream cheese and marshmallow fluff. Once your gnome beard is done, wash and quarter fresh strawberries. Then pat dry with a paper towel. Arrange the strawberries in the shape of a gnome hat. I like to place them so the outside of the strawberry is visible. Take one vanilla wafer cookie and gently press it into the fruit dip for the nose. Leave a little space of white above the nose.
Add Your Snacks
Once you have your gnome Santa as the center of your dessert board, it’s time to fill it in. I like to stack in pairs on the diagonal but you don’t have to. If you have more snacks than I did, you may just want to add one pile of each. You can always refill it! I started with the larger items and worked my way around. When the board was full, I sprinkled in a few mini marshmallows and M&Ms for added color. You could do this with candied nuts, or dried fruits too! I just love how this gnome dessert board turned out and boy was he delicious! My son was so happy to see it waiting for him after school.
Storage Tips
If you have any leftover fruit dip, scoop it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Uneaten fruit should also be refrigerated. Snack foods can be stored in a zipper bag on the counter.
Print the Recipe Card
This no-bake dessert board is sure to be a hit. Be sure to save this idea and enjoy! For more Christmas ideas, try these pecan pie truffles or a delightfully festive Christmas dessert lasagna. Like this post? Share it with friends!
