How to Create The Best Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board

Sharing a delicious and easy to set up hot chocolate charcuterie board idea full of holiday treats and essentials for the ultimate hot cocoa!

It is the season of hot drinks and especially in our home we love hot chocolate. If you don’t have a dedicated space in your home for a hot cocoa station then creating a hot chocolate charcuterie board is the next best thing. Or you can have both!

Hot cocoa is so much fun and you can get really creative on how you make one. So it is essential to have everything you need ahead of time so you can make it on a whim. I typically stock my pantry with a lot of these items so when I want to make a hot chocolate charcuterie board it is simple, fast, and fun!

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board Tips:

But before you get started there are some tips and ideas that I think will help you make the ultimate charcuterie board. I have been making these for a while now and you can check out all the other charcuterie board ideas I’ve shared HERE.

What is a hot cocoa charcuterie board?

You may be asking what even is a hot cocoa charcuterie board. It is a relatively newer idea from the last few years and is a spin on the traditional hot cocoa bar. A lot of people don’t have counter space or a bar cart to create a designated hot chocolate station and this is the next best thing.

Really all you need is a large cutting board and all the hot cocoa fixings.

When do you serve a hot chocolate charcuterie board?

You really can serve a hot chocolate board at any time of the year but mine is a holiday-themed one. If you want to make one for a winter theme, then select white coffee mugs and desserts, and treats that are not in a red and white color scheme. I love the idea of switching it all up and making one for the different seasons.

I also think these would be fun to go along with breakfast or any time in the evening next to the fire. Dare I even say you could take an assortment camping for a fun and hard-earned treat after a hike.

Can you make a hot chocolate charcuterie board in advance?

There are parts of a hot chocolate charcuterie board you can put together in advance. Really gathering the ingredients and just having them on hand is the ultimate first step to take. 

Then once you have your pantry stocked you can quickly layer your board with everything you need. The actual making of the drink is part of the charcuterie board experience so your drinks will stay nice and hot. 

Who is a hot chocolate charcuterie board for?

Okay really in my book a hot cocoa board is for everyone and not just the kids. If you love desserts then this is for YOU!

If you have more sophisticated guests then you can offer them a plain white mug rather than these cute Santa mugs but I have a feeling those will be the top choice. LOL. I have had these mugs for the last couple of years and even my husband likes to drink out of them to get into the holiday spirit.

What ingredients do you need to make a hot cocoa charcuterie board?

So you may be asking what you should include on your hot chocolate charcuterie board. Here is my general list and you can add and subtract any items to customize it just for you.

• Santa Mugs or White Coffee Mugs
• Hershey Kisses
• Peppermint Spoons
• Candy Canes
• Mini Marshmallows
• Peanut Butter Wafers
• Pretzels
• Hot Cocoa Mix
• Crushed Peppermints
• Powdered Donuts
• Biscotti
• Mini Cinnamon Rolls
• Meringues
• Popcorn
• Chocolate Biscuit Sticks
• Mini Strawberry Cupcakes
• Small Bowls
• Large Cutting Board

How to Create a Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board:

Once you have all your ingredients, the next step is to create your hot chocolate charcuterie board. This is so so simple and fun to do.

Step 1: Add bottle brush trees and coffee mugs

Place some holiday decor like bottle brush trees near the top in the center. Then place the santa mugs around the edges near the trees.

Step 2: Add bowl of hot cocoa mix and crushed peppermints

Next place the bowl of hot cocoa mix and crushed peppermints in the center of the board. I used gold measuring spoons as little servers. 

Step 3: Add cupcakes and cinnamon rolls

Place the mini cupcakes and cinnamon rolls next to the outside of the board near the coffee mugs. These can be easier to get messed up if they are placed in the center of a board so I tend to place them next to the edges.

Step 4: Add wafers and biscotti 

Fan out the biscotti cookies on the lower portion of the board and then stack the chocolate peanut butter wafers next to the cupcakes. 

Step 5: Layer in donuts and meringues

Add in donuts and meringues to break up all the brown on the board and give it a snowy effect.

Step 6: Cluster chocolate biscuit sticks and peppermint spoons

Group together with the chocolate biscuit sticks and peppermint sticks and place them near the bottom of the board. You can stack them on top of each other to make it look fuller.

Step 7: Fill in holes with pretzels, mini marshmallows, and Hershey kisses. 

Next fill in any blank spots on your board with the pretzels, marshmallows, and Hershey kisses. This is when more is more to give it that really full look.

Step 8: Add candy canes and marshmallow skews to mugs

Lastly, decorate the mugs with a candy cane and a skewer of mini marshmallows laid across the top of the mugs.

So there you have it, my friends! Who is making a hot cocoa charcuterie board ASAP??

More holiday Ideas + Inspiration

• 10 Amazing Hot Cocoa Recipes To Try
• The Ultimate Hot Cocoa Bar Idea
• 20 Delicious Christmas Cookies to Make
• Free Christmas Printables to Download Now!