Santas Sack Candy Avalanche

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This colorful holiday board features a delightful mix of chocolates, festive cookies, gummies, and candy canes arranged on a large platter. Layer crunchy treats like gingerbread and shortbread cookies alongside chocolate-covered pretzels and peppermint bark. Add pops of color and texture with red and green M&Ms, marshmallows, and gummies. For contrast, sprinkle roasted nuts or caramel popcorn. Finish with festive decorations such as edible glitter and gold-foil coins to create a striking centerpiece perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:29:00 GMT
A vibrant Santa's Sack Candy Avalanche bursting with colorful candies perfect for a festive snack. Save to Pinterest
A vibrant Santa's Sack Candy Avalanche bursting with colorful candies perfect for a festive snack. | basilhollow.com

A festive, eye-catching candy board overflowing with holiday treats—perfect for parties or as a whimsical Christmas centerpiece. Sweet, salty, and colorful, this board appeals to all ages and can be customized with your favorite candies.

Personalize with your favorite candies or themed treats. Substitute gluten-free cookies if needed.

Ingredients

  • Chocolates & Candies: 1 cup red and green M&Ms, 1 cup assorted holiday chocolate truffles, 1 cup peppermint bark pieces, 1 cup candy canes (mini or crushed), 1 cup gummy bears or holiday gummies, 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzels, 1 cup marshmallows (mini or shaped)
  • Cookies & Crunchy Treats: 1 cup holiday sugar cookies (mini or cut-out shapes), 1 cup gingerbread men cookies (mini size), 1 cup shortbread cookies
  • Savory & Salty Additions (optional for contrast): ½ cup roasted, salted nuts (e.g., almonds, cashews, or pecans), ½ cup popcorn (plain or caramel)
  • Decorations: Red and green sprinkles, edible glitter, or gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins (as desired)

Instructions

Step 1:
Select a large wooden board, platter, or tray.
Step 2:
Arrange the largest items (cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels) as the base layer, creating a sack overflowing effect in one section of the board.
Step 3:
Add clusters of chocolates, truffles, and peppermint bark in and around the cookies, letting them spill out from the sack area.
Step 4:
Fill gaps with M&Ms, gummies, and marshmallows for color and texture variation.
Step 5:
Add savory or salty items like nuts and popcorn to balance the sweetness, if desired.
Step 6:
Finish with candy canes and decorative touches such as sprinkles or gold-foil coins.
Step 7:
Serve immediately, or cover loosely and store in a cool, dry place until serving.
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| basilhollow.com

This candy board is a holiday tradition that brings smiles and joy to all my family gatherings.

Notes

Personalize with your favorite candies or themed treats. Substitute gluten-free cookies if needed. Add dried fruits for a healthier touch. Pair with hot cocoa or festive cocktails.

Required Tools

Large board or platter. Small bowls (optional, for loose candies). Tongs or small serving spoons.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 320. Total Fat: 12 g. Carbohydrates: 48 g. Protein: 3 g (per serving estimate).

Close-up of a Santa's Sack Candy Avalanche board, overflowing with holiday cookies, chocolate, and tempting treats. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of a Santa's Sack Candy Avalanche board, overflowing with holiday cookies, chocolate, and tempting treats. | basilhollow.com

Create your own festive centerpiece and enjoy the smiles it brings to your holiday gatherings.

Recipe FAQs

What types of candies work best for a holiday board?

Choose a mix of chocolates, peppermint bark, candy canes, gummies, and holiday-themed candies to create variety in flavor and color.

How can I add a crunchy texture to the board?

Include cookies such as gingerbread, shortbread, and sugar cookies as well as chocolate-covered pretzels to add satisfying crunch.

Are there savory options to balance the sweetness?

Yes, roasted salted nuts and popcorn provide a nice salty contrast to the sweet elements on the board.

How should I arrange the items for best presentation?

Start with larger items as a base on one side, then cluster chocolates and smaller candies around them, filling gaps with colorful pieces and marshmallows.

Can I customize the board for dietary needs?

Absolutely. Swap in gluten-free cookies or add dried fruits to adjust for dietary preferences and add variety.

Santas Sack Candy Avalanche

A vibrant holiday board filled with chocolates, gummies, cookies, and festive decorations.

Prep Time
20 minutes
0
Overall Time
20 minutes
Recipe by Charlotte Adams


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 8 Number of Servings

Diet Considerations Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Chocolates & Candies

01 1 cup red and green M&Ms
02 1 cup assorted holiday chocolate truffles
03 1 cup peppermint bark pieces
04 1 cup candy canes, mini or crushed
05 1 cup gummy bears or holiday gummies
06 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzels
07 1 cup mini or shaped marshmallows

Cookies & Crunchy Treats

01 1 cup holiday sugar cookies, mini or cut-out shapes
02 1 cup mini gingerbread men cookies
03 1 cup shortbread cookies

Savory & Salty Additions (optional)

01 ½ cup roasted salted nuts (almonds, cashews, or pecans)
02 ½ cup popcorn, plain or caramel

Decorations

01 Red and green sprinkles, edible glitter, or gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins as desired

Directions

Step 01

Prepare base: Select a large wooden board, platter, or tray to assemble the arrangement.

Step 02

Arrange base items: Place the largest items such as cookies and chocolate-covered pretzels in a cluster forming a ‘sack overflowing’ visual in one section of the board.

Step 03

Add chocolates and truffles: Distribute clusters of assorted chocolates, truffles, and peppermint bark in and around the base layer to create depth.

Step 04

Fill gaps with smaller candies: Scatter M&Ms, gummies, and marshmallows into empty spaces for color and texture contrast.

Step 05

Incorporate savory elements: Add optional savory or salty items such as roasted nuts and popcorn to balance sweetness, if desired.

Step 06

Add finishing decorations: Top the board with candy canes and decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or gold-foil chocolate coins for festive flair.

Step 07

Serve or store: Serve immediately or cover loosely and keep in a cool, dry location until ready to serve.

Equipment Needed

  • Large board or platter
  • Small bowls for loose candies (optional)
  • Tongs or small serving spoons

Allergy Notice

Review the ingredient list for possible allergy risks. If needed, check with a medical expert.
  • Contains milk, soy, wheat (gluten), tree nuts, and possibly peanuts depending on candy selection; always verify individual ingredient labels.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This data is for reference—always check with your doctor for health matters.
  • Calorie Count: 320
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 3 g