Whimsical festive candy platter

Featured in: Sweet Heat Treats

This vibrant candy centerpiece features a large round sugar cookie or rice cake base adorned with vanilla or cream cheese frosting, and optionally peanut butter for extra flavor. Brightly colored elements like tinted shredded coconut mimic straw hair, and mini chocolate cookies form a hat. Candy corn, jelly beans, licorice, marshmallows, and gummy candies create lively facial features and decorations, bringing a cheerful scarecrow to your table in about 25 minutes. Ideal for easy, festive gatherings with a playful autumn touch.

Updated on Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:10:00 GMT
Vibrant Scarecrow Candy Platter featuring a smiling face made with colorful candies and a cookie base. Save
Vibrant Scarecrow Candy Platter featuring a smiling face made with colorful candies and a cookie base. | grilto.com

A whimsical and festive candy platter arranged to resemble a cheerful scarecrow—perfect for autumn gatherings, Halloween parties, or a fun edible centerpiece.

This candy platter has become a hit at all my fall parties; everyone loves the creative look and delightful mix of sweets.

Ingredients

  • Base & Face: 1 round sugar cookie (8–10 inches diameter) or large round rice cake, 1/3 cup vanilla or cream cheese frosting, 2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional for flavor)
  • Decorations: 1/4 cup candy corn, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/4 cup orange jelly beans or orange M&Ms, 1/4 cup pretzel sticks, 1/4 cup red licorice strings, 2 large marshmallows, 6–8 mini chocolate cookies (e.g. mini Oreos) for hat, 1/4 cup shredded coconut tinted yellow with food coloring (for straw hair), 1/4 cup chocolate sprinkles, 1/4 cup assorted gummy candies (for cheeks and bow tie)

Instructions

Step 1:
Place the large sugar cookie or rice cake on a serving platter to form the scarecrows face.
Step 2:
Spread an even layer of frosting over the surface. Swirl in peanut butter if using.
Step 3:
Arrange the tinted shredded coconut along the top and sides of the cookie to resemble straw hair.
Step 4:
Create the hat by lining mini chocolate cookies above the hair, using a marshmallow for the hats tip if desired.
Step 5:
Use chocolate chips or candies for the eyes. Slice a marshmallow in half for extra large eyes, if you like, and place a chocolate chip in the center of each.
Step 6:
Form a triangle nose with orange jelly beans or M&Ms.
Step 7:
Make a smiling mouth using red licorice strings.
Step 8:
Add cheeks with round gummy candies.
Step 9:
Decorate around the base with candy corn and additional gummies for a festive look.
Step 10:
Use pretzel sticks to create a bow tie beneath the face.
Step 11:
Scatter chocolate sprinkles for extra detail. Serve immediately or cover until ready to present.
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This recipe always brings smiles when shared with family during seasonal gatherings.

Required Tools

Large serving platter, spatula or offset knife, small bowls for sorting candies, kitchen scissors (for cutting licorice)

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (in cookies and some candies), dairy (in frosting), peanuts (if using peanut butter), soy, and possible tree nuts (depending on candy and cookie brands). Some candies may contain gelatin not vegetarian. Always check ingredient labels for allergens and cross-contamination.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories 230, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 39 g, Protein 2 g

This whimsical Scarecrow Candy Platter is artfully decorated with candy corn, pretzels, and sprinkles for a fun treat. Save
This whimsical Scarecrow Candy Platter is artfully decorated with candy corn, pretzels, and sprinkles for a fun treat. | grilto.com

The scarecrow candy platter is a simple but impressive centerpiece that adds festive charm to any party table.

Recipe Help & Answers

What base can I use for the candy platter?

Use a large round sugar cookie or a rice cake as the base; both provide a sturdy foundation for decorating.

How can I create the scarecrow’s straw hair effect?

Tint shredded coconut yellow using food coloring, then arrange it along the top and sides to resemble straw hair.

Are there nut-free options available?

Yes, simply omit the peanut butter to make the platter nut-free without sacrificing flavor.

Can I swap the frosting for different flavors?

Absolutely, variations like chocolate or maple frosting can add unique taste dimensions.

How do I assemble the facial features on the platter?

Use mini chocolate chips or candies for eyes, orange jelly beans for the nose, red licorice strings for the mouth, and gummy candies for cheeks and a bow tie.

What tools are recommended for assembling the platter?

A large serving platter, spatula or offset knife, small bowls for candy sorting, and kitchen scissors for cutting licorice help streamline assembly.

Whimsical festive candy platter

A vibrant candy arrangement styled as a scarecrow, perfect for festive autumn celebrations.

Prep Time
25 min
0
Complete Time
25 min
From grilto Jake Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Serves 8 Portions

Diet Details Meatless

What You Need

Base & Face

01 1 round sugar cookie (8–10 inches diameter) or large round rice cake
02 5 tablespoons vanilla or cream cheese frosting
03 2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional)

Decorations

01 1/4 cup candy corn
02 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
03 1/4 cup orange jelly beans or orange M&Ms
04 1/4 cup pretzel sticks
05 1/4 cup red licorice strings
06 2 large marshmallows
07 6 to 8 mini chocolate cookies (e.g., mini Oreos) for hat
08 1/4 cup shredded coconut tinted yellow with food coloring
09 1/4 cup chocolate sprinkles
10 1/4 cup assorted gummy candies for cheeks and bow tie

How-To

Step 01

Prepare Base: Place the sugar cookie or rice cake on a serving platter as the scarecrow's face.

Step 02

Apply Frosting: Spread an even layer of frosting over the surface; swirl in peanut butter if using.

Step 03

Create Straw Hair: Arrange the tinted shredded coconut along the top and sides to simulate straw hair.

Step 04

Form Hat: Line mini chocolate cookies above the hair for the hat, placing a marshmallow at the tip if desired.

Step 05

Add Eyes: Use chocolate chips or candies for eyes; optionally slice marshmallows in half and place a chocolate chip in each for larger eyes.

Step 06

Shape Nose: Form a triangle nose using orange jelly beans or M&Ms.

Step 07

Craft Mouth: Make a smiling mouth with red licorice strings.

Step 08

Apply Cheeks: Add cheeks using round gummy candies.

Step 09

Decorate Base: Surround the base with candy corn and additional gummies to enhance festivity.

Step 10

Construct Bow Tie: Use pretzel sticks beneath the face to form a bow tie.

Step 11

Add Finishing Touches: Scatter chocolate sprinkles for extra detail; serve immediately or cover until ready.

Essentials

  • Large serving platter
  • Spatula or offset knife
  • Small bowls for sorting candies
  • Kitchen scissors for cutting licorice

Allergy Advisory

Review every component for allergens. Reach out to a health pro if you’re concerned.
  • Contains wheat, dairy, peanuts (if used), soy, and possibly tree nuts.
  • Some candies may contain gelatin and are not vegetarian.
  • Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and cross-contamination.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Facts listed here are for your info, not medical advice. Always double-check if needed.
  • Energy: 230
  • Lipids: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Proteins: 2 g