We love cheese boards for entertaining. They’re easy to set up, plus they’re both eye-catching and delicious. But cheese is just the beginning of what you can do with boards. You might remember @TheBakerMama, aka Maegan Brown, author of the cookbook Beautiful Boards, from her delightful Christmas snack in the shape of a cheerful snowman. Well, she’s back!
Maegan just created a sweets-filled birthday board that we’re in love with:
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🎂The Birthday Board🎂What a year! Thinking back to this day a year ago when I first created this board, I would have never imagined that 4 days later a publisher would reach out to me about sharing my love for building beautiful boards in a cookbook. It’s been a year of hard work and dreams coming true. A year that I will always remember and cherish as I look forward to all that is yet to come. I’m so thankful for my family, friends and each of you! I feel so grateful for my health and happiness. Life is good and I’m going to continue to give it my best. We only live once! 💗 . All the fun & yummy details for this Birthday Dessert Board are on my blog (link in profile) and in my Beautiful Boards cookbook! I know lots of you have recreated this board over the past year to celebrate a loved one and it makes me so happy to hear about how much joy it brought to the celebration. That is the reason I share! 💕 #boardsbythebakermama #beautifulboardscookbook . https://thebakermama.com/recipes/birthday-dessert-board/
How Do I Create a Birthday Board?
At first glance, this board is a rainbow riot of sprinkles and frosting. We spy some macarons and those sugar cookies with the thick icing we can never pass up during our Walmart runs. But what exactly is in there? Maegan was helpful enough to share her recipe, but feel free to improvise and put your personal stamp on selection of desserts.
Store-Bought + Homemade
You can mix it up with a combination of store-bought treats and homemade goodies. The recipe calls for frosted Circus Animal Cookies like this, Birthday Cake Popcorn from Trader Joe’s and Rice Krispies Marshmallow Birthday Cake Snack Bars, but you can easily make some Rice Krispies treats of your own, chocolate-dipped strawberries and a batch of caramel corn, too.
Making a dessert board can be a group activity. Kids of all ages can help with the assembly, and they might even be able to help out with the baking!
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Miniature Almond Tarts
My family requests these adorable little tarts each holiday season. I always enjoy making them since the almond paste in the filling reflects our Dutch heritage, plus they’re popular at special gatherings.Go to RecipeTaste of Home
Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
These treats are a perfect mouthful of strawberry, sweet cream cheese filling and just a drizzle of chocolate. Easy to fill
and fix ahead, they add tempting variety to brunch or party offerings—and make a delicious homemade gift. —Linda Baldt, Croydon, PennsylvaniaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Sweet Potato Mini Cakes
Whenever I make these cute desserts, I think of my grandmother. She always used extra sweet potatoes from her garden in pies, breads and cakes and added black walnuts from her trees for good measure. —Joyce Larson, New Market, IowaGo to Recipe
Red Velvet Cake Bites
Everyone loves red velvet, but any cake mix can work here. I’ve even rolled chopped macadamia nuts into pineapple cake and dipped them into white chocolate. Whatever you do, have fun! —Anne Powers, Munford, AlabamaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Black Bottom Brandy Bites
The idea for these bite-sized tarts started with little chocolate bottles of brandy. For an extra dash of fabulous, I place chocolate in the bottom of each pastry cup. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, IllinoisGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Mini Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies
I love baking cookies to give as gifts to my family and friends. I created this recipe for my annual holiday cookie platter and it received rave reviews from both children and adults. If the buttercream doesn’t come together after all of the butter has been incorporated, add some shortening one tablespoon at a time until the mixture starts to transform. —Julie Thomas, Saukville, WisconsinGo to Recipe
Orange-Nutella Cookie Cups
These cups are easy to put on a platter for impressive presentation—they’re a true one-bite pleasure! Top them with the fresh fruit of your choice: Half a strawberry or a piece of mandarin orange complements the hazelnut chocolate flavor of the Nutella. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, IndianaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream Puffs
This recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can’t eat just one…hey are so addicting & they’re perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, OhioGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Miniature Peanut Butter Treats
This recipe is one of my family’s favorites, and I make the treats a lot, especially at Christmas. I have three children and eight grandchildren, and every one of them loves those “peanut butter thingies,” as the grandchildren call them! —Jodie McCoy, Tulsa, OklahomaGo to Recipe
Coffee Lover’s Mini Cheesecakes
Everyone in my family knows how much I adore cheesecake. Anyone who wants one made comes to me because they know I have a lot of tried and tested recipes. But I was getting bored with the standard chocolate or cherry. And then I had an idea—mocha cheesecake! After lots of experiments, I came up with this recipe. It’s really good, even if I do say so myself. —Holly Sharp, Warren, OntarioGo to Recipe
Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers
I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, PennsylvaniaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Holiday Meringue Miniatures
My kids love these light melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and have fun making them. These were always on our Christmas cookie plate when I was a kid, and now the tradition continues. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, ColoradoGo to Recipe
Citrus Mini Cakes
These moist, bite-size muffins from Linda Terrell of Palatka, Florida are melt-in-your-mouth good. “With their appealing look, they really dress up a party table,” she notes. The recipe makes a big batch, so there’s plenty to please a crowd.Go to Recipe
Strawberry Cookie Cups
I learned to bake beside my mom and grandmother. When I was on break from college, I knew just how to entertain myself: I made cookies. Sharing this recipe with my mom and grandmother was a proud moment.—Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New YorkGo to Recipe
Miniature Christmas Fruitcakes
I’ve found that people who normally won’t eat fruitcake make an exception when they sample these. Using mini muffin pans for baking creates fun, single-serving cakes. —Libby Over, Phillipsburg, OhioGo to Recipe
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
These little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that’s just right for cooks who don’t have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat a whole mini cheesecake yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, MichiganGo to Recipe
Mini Pumpkin Spice Trifles
These miniature trifles are so fun for fall holiday parties! The assembly takes a little longer than making one big trifle, but it’s worth it to see everyone’s reaction to getting their own! —Rhiannon Brownell, Newport News, VirginiaGo to Recipe
Mini Sweet Potato Pies
My 2-year-old son, Levi, helped me create this delicious recipe one day and it was the first day he told me “I love you”! I will always remember making these with him. —Emily Butler, South Williamsport, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe
Mini Baklava
Baklava has amazing memories for me: My best friend made it for my bridal and baby showers. And then, she taught me how to make it! These delicious little miniatures give you the taste of baklava in a bite-sized package. —Margaret Guillory, Eunice, LouisianaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Chocolate-Mint Cookie Cups
When chocolate and mint get together with a hint of peppermint, mmm…magic happens. If you don’t have mini muffin pans to make these cookies, use disposable foil baking cups.—Pam Correll, Brockport, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe
Jam-Topped Mini Cheesecakes
We turned cheesecake into irresistible bite-sized snacks. Feel free to swap in any favorite flavor of jam. —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to Recipe
Pecan Pie Mini Muffins
While these are delicious year-round, you could easily turn them into an edible Christmas gift. They look festive on a decorative tray wrapped in red or green cellophane or tucked into a giveaway cookie plate. And don’t forget to include the recipe so your recipient can enjoy this treat over and over again! —Pat Schrand, Enterprise, AlabamaGo to Recipe
Mini Maple Cinnamon Rolls
Maple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, OregonGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Caramel Apple Bites
Kids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It’s a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, OregonGo to Recipe
Trail Mix Cookie Cups
My granddaughter helped create these cookie cups for the first time by using ingredients from my pantry and fridge. We used trail mix to jazz them up. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West VirginiaGo to Recipe
Orange Dream Mini Cupcakes
The bright taste of these cute cupcakes reminds me and my friends of orange-and-vanilla frozen treats. —Jen Shepherd, St. Peters, MissouriGo to Recipe
Mini Rum Cakes
My mother and I tried many different types of rum cake to find the best one, and finally hit on this cake that doesn’t dry out and imparts the most flavor. For a really moist cake, brush rum over the individual sponge cakes before topping them with the filling. —Dona M. Hoffman, Addison, IllinoisGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Easy Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South DakotaGo to Recipe
Glazed Doughnut Holes
Here’s a simple recipe to create a colorful and fun breakfast—or snack! For the glaze, use any type of juice you like. —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Truffle-Filled Cookie Tarts
I made chocolate truffles as a Christmas tradition for many years. I created this recipe to incorporate my truffles into the center of fudgy cookies. It was a hit with friends and family.—Patricia Harmon, Baden, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe
Winnie’s Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry Pies
Every spring, we had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie’s baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, CaliforniaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Peanut butter lovers go nuts for these rich little sandwich cookies. On a hot day, sandwich ice cream between the cookies instead of frosting. It cools you right down. —Keri Wolfe, Nappanee, IndianaGo to Recipe
Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
I used to make these brownie bites with a cherry in the center. Then I discovered that my granddaughter Lily is big on peanut butter, so I switched it up. Now she loves to help me make them. —Donna McGinnis, Taylor Ridge, IllinoisGo to Recipe
Bite-Sized Apple Pies
These little bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Mini S’mores
Combine marshmallow creme, chocolate, graham crackers and more for a summery delight at any time of year. —Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, IllinoisGo to Recipe
Salted Caramel Cookie Cups
When I brought these salty sweet cookies to a potluck, I overheard people talking about how wonderful they were. I’m not sure if it was the cookie, the caramel or the chocolate that they loved best.—Priscilla Yee, Concord, CaliforniaGo to RecipeTaste of Home
Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich Minis
My husband absolutely loves ice cream sandwiches and snickerdoodles, so I combined them into one fun treat. Here’s how we build this cool dessert. —Heather Pilon, Winslow, MaineGo to Recipe
Butterscotch-Rum Raisin Treats
I love making rum raisin rice pudding around the holidays. Those flavors inspired this recipe. Crispy rice cereal adds crunch, but nuts, toasted coconut or candied pineapple could do the job, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, ColoradoGo to Recipe
Carrot Cookie Bites
This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking is absolutely irresistible! I’m always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, KentuckyGo to Recipe
Mini Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
Dainty and light, these tartlets feature two of my favorites —lemon and cheesecake —in one yummy morsel. They look lovely topped with fresh raspberries, but sliced strawberries are just as pretty and delicious. —Gwyn Brandt, Hibbing, MinnesotaGo to Recipe ⓘ
