Polar Express Snack Board

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

This delightful holiday snack board presents an imaginative Polar Express theme, featuring a blend of sweet treats like mini marshmallows, peppermint bark, and chocolate truffles alongside savory elements such as cheddar cubes, pretzels, and fresh cucumber slices. Arranged on a wooden platter to resemble a train with chocolate wafer wheels and festive candy cane smoke, it’s perfect for seasonal gatherings and family movie nights. Quick to assemble, it offers vegetarian options and can be customized with gluten-free or dairy-free swaps.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:09:00 GMT
Close-up Polar Express Train Treat Board showcasing vibrant sweet and savory holiday snacks, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Close-up Polar Express Train Treat Board showcasing vibrant sweet and savory holiday snacks, ready to enjoy. | citrushearth.com

A whimsical, holiday-inspired snack board featuring sweet and savory treats arranged to resemble a magical Polar Express train journey. Perfect for festive gatherings and family movie nights.

This treat board is always a hit at our holiday parties and brings everyone together for a wonderful movie night.

Ingredients

  • Sweet Treats: 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzels, 1 cup peppermint bark pieces, 12 chocolate wafer cookies (for train wheels), 8 mini candy canes, 8 chocolate truffles, 1 cup red and green M&Ms
  • Savory Snacks: 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes, 1 cup mini pretzel rods, 1 cup popcorn, 8 mini sandwich rolls or croissants (for train cars), 1/2 cup baby carrots, 1/2 cup cucumber slices
  • Decorative & Assembly Elements: 1 rectangular wooden board or platter, Assorted festive sprinkles (optional), Edible gold stars (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Arrange the mini sandwich rolls or croissants in a line on the board to create the train cars.
Step 2:
Use chocolate wafer cookies to represent train wheels, placing two under each roll.
Step 3:
Position mini pretzel rods or baby carrots as the train tracks beneath the rolls.
Step 4:
Fill each train car with a different snack: cheddar cheese cubes, popcorn, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, chocolate truffles, and peppermint bark.
Step 5:
Place chocolate-covered pretzels and cucumber slices around the board for extra color and crunch.
Step 6:
Use candy canes as festive smoke coming out of the lead engine roll.
Step 7:
Sprinkle edible gold stars and festive sprinkles for decoration, if desired.
Step 8:
Serve immediately and encourage guests to board the train by picking their favorite snacks.
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| citrushearth.com

Our family loves gathering around this treat board while watching the Polar Express movie every holiday season.

Notes

Pair with hot cocoa or spiced apple cider for the full Polar Express experience.

Required Tools

Large wooden board or platter and small serving bowls (optional, for loose candies); tongs or small serving spoons.

Allergen Information

Contains: Milk, wheat (gluten), soy, possible tree nuts (in chocolates), eggs (in baked goods). Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Festive Polar Express Train Treat Board featuring sweet marshmallows, pretzels, and cheese, ideal for sharing. Save to Pinterest
Festive Polar Express Train Treat Board featuring sweet marshmallows, pretzels, and cheese, ideal for sharing. | citrushearth.com

This Polar Express treat board brings holiday magic to your table with minimal effort and maximum joy.

Recipe FAQs

What snacks make up the sweet section?

The sweet section includes mini marshmallows, chocolate-covered pretzels, peppermint bark pieces, chocolate truffles, red and green M&Ms, and chocolate wafer cookies used as train wheels.

How are the savory items arranged?

Savory snacks like cheddar cheese cubes, mini pretzel rods, popcorn, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and mini sandwich rolls or croissants are arranged to represent the train cars and tracks.

Can this board accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, it offers vegetarian options and can be adapted with gluten-free pretzels or dairy-free chocolates to meet various dietary needs.

What is the total preparation time?

This snack board takes approximately 25 minutes to prepare with no cooking involved.

How is the Polar Express theme created visually?

The theme is achieved by arranging mini sandwich rolls or croissants as train cars with chocolate wafer cookies as wheels, mini pretzel rods or baby carrots as the tracks, and candy canes representing festive smoke.

What are some optional garnishes?

Festive sprinkles and edible gold stars can be added for extra seasonal decoration and sparkle.

Polar Express Snack Board

A festive board combining sweet and savory bites arranged to mimic a magical holiday train journey.

Prep duration
25 minutes
0
Overall time
25 minutes
Created by Elise Porter


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Type American, Holiday

Makes 8 Number of servings

Dietary details Meat-Free

What Goes In

Sweet Treats

01 1 cup mini marshmallows
02 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzels
03 1 cup peppermint bark pieces
04 12 chocolate wafer cookies
05 8 mini candy canes
06 8 chocolate truffles
07 1 cup red and green M&Ms

Savory Snacks

01 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes
02 1 cup mini pretzel rods
03 1 cup popcorn
04 8 mini sandwich rolls or croissants
05 1/2 cup baby carrots
06 1/2 cup cucumber slices

Decorative & Assembly Elements

01 1 rectangular wooden board or platter
02 Assorted festive sprinkles (optional)
03 Edible gold stars (optional)

How to Make It

Step 01

Form train cars with rolls: Arrange the mini sandwich rolls or croissants in a line on the wooden board to mimic train cars.

Step 02

Add train wheels: Position two chocolate wafer cookies beneath each roll to represent train wheels.

Step 03

Create train tracks: Place mini pretzel rods or baby carrots underneath the rolls to resemble train tracks.

Step 04

Fill train cars with snacks: Fill each train car with assorted snacks such as cheddar cheese cubes, popcorn, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, chocolate truffles, and peppermint bark pieces.

Step 05

Decorate the board: Disperse chocolate-covered pretzels and cucumber slices around the board to add variety and texture.

Step 06

Add festive touches: Use mini candy canes as festive 'smoke' emerging from the lead engine roll and garnish the board with edible gold stars and sprinkles if desired.

Step 07

Serve: Present immediately and invite guests to enjoy the assortment by selecting their preferred treats.

What You’ll Need

  • Large wooden board or platter
  • Small serving bowls (optional)
  • Tongs or small serving spoons

Allergy details

Double-check ingredients for allergens; talk with your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains milk, wheat (gluten), soy, possible tree nuts (in chocolates), eggs (in baked goods). Always verify ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition info (for each serving)

Nutrition data is for reference and isn’t meant as health advice.
  • Calorie count: 320
  • Fat content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 40 grams
  • Protein amount: 6 grams