Transform Leftover Bags Of Candy Into An Extra Sweet Charcuterie Board

Whether you've found yourself in possession of an excess amount of candy after a holiday party or simply gave in to an impulse buy during your last visit to the grocery store, we have a great idea to help you unleash your inner culinary artist while making the most of those treats at the same time. An aesthetically-pleasing candy charcuterie board is a fun alternative to trying to eat it all yourself while winning the hearts of friends and family at first glance. 

Trays and cutting boards filled with carefully-placed candy will instantly bring a touch of whimsy to any gathering. Set candies out in partitioned sections or build more detailed designs using the colors, shapes, and textures of various candies to create a more comprehensive image. Smaller candies like sprinkles and chocolate chips can be spread out across a tray to serve as an even foundation for layers of Twizzlers, fun-sized candy bars, and your favorite gummies. 

Consider themes as you place your rows of candies too. Seasonal motifs and colors can guide creative efforts, like forming the image of a turkey during autumnal months, creating a spooky look for Halloween, or building flowers that look good enough to eat for springtime dinner parties. Cutting boards filled with balloon shapes made out of candies can offer a visual surprise for birthday party attendees. Truly, the only limit to this hack is your own imagination.

If you can't be bothered taking the time to painstakingly create recognizable images of boats or animals, organized displays of sweets on trays can be equally aesthetically pleasing. Just as you would consider textures and colors when making a traditional charcuterie board, pile candies in small groupings to create visual contrasts. The shapes and sizes of the sweets can be varied for added interest, and you can use smaller dishes and serving spoons to keep the pieces tidy throughout your party. 

Instead of offering a dessert charcuterie board at the end of the evening, set out your tray of colorful candies before the first guest arrives. This is sure to help establish a festive atmosphere. In addition to offering easy access to sweet snacks, candy pieces like Jolly Ranchers and sour candies can be plopped into drinks as fun garnishes or be used to top dishes of ice cream and slices of cake. With so many customizable options, your candy charcuterie board is guaranteed to be the talk of the party.