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This hot cocoa charcuterie board is perfect for the holidays and beyond! It’s a festive platter filled with your favorite hot chocolate mix-ins and toppings.
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This hot cocoa charcuterie board is a mouthwatering array of everyone’s favorite toppings and mix-ins for hot chocolate.
From marshmallows and meringues you can float on top of the hot cocoa to pretzels and cookies you can dunk in your cup, this platter has it all! 😋
You don’t even need to cook anything for this hot chocolate charcuterie board, and you can go all out with the treats you’ll put on it. Make the most festive display worthy of being your Christmas table centerpiece.
And even after the holidays, you can still make this easy hot cocoa board.
What’s stopping you from enjoying this feast of sweets and hot cocoa on your next movie night?
What Is a Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board?
Hot cocoa charcuterie board is a mouthwatering spread of treats we love with a cup of hot chocolate.
There are no meats and cheese on this charcuterie board. Instead, it’s a platter of assorted marshmallows, pretzels, chocolates, and cookies.
Hot chocolate charcuterie board is perfect for holiday gatherings because who can refuse a rich and creamy mug of the cozy chocolate drink? And with this hot cocoa board, guests can dress up their hot cocoa however they like!
Maybe you like your hot cocoa with white chocolate chips and whipped cream, or you prefer dipping cookies in the creamy drink. 😋
Every cup at the gathering will truly be one of a kind!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board Idea
- Keep It Simple or Go Over the Top: Customize your hot cocoa charcuterie board to your heart (and sweet tooth’s) content! You can keep it simple with classics like marshmallows and cookies or go over the top with unique mix-ins (more on this later.)
- Make it a Tradition: Make this hot cocoa platter a tradition for your holiday gatherings, and watch everyone have fun making their own hot chocolate. But even if you’re just craving hot cocoa, having the toppings and mix-ins arranged festively really elevates the experience.
- Fun to Build: This hot cocoa board is great for family bonding. Since it doesn’t require any cooking, even young kids can join in building this dessert charcuterie board. It’s also not as intimidating as setting up a hot chocolate bar, and you can scale it down to suit your party’s size.
What Does a Hot Cocoa Platter Taste Like?
This hot chocolate charcuterie board tastes luscious, sweet, and rich. Every component of this platter will hit the spot for every hot cocoa lover.
A hot cocoa charcuterie board is incomplete without fluffy marshmallows. After all, we can’t deny the dreamy chemistry between their vanilla-like flavor and hot chocolate’s rich, deep taste. 🤤
You can also upgrade your cup of hot chocolate by stirring in chocolate chips or topping it with whipped cream and sprinkles. The pretzel rods can even become an edible stirrer, haha!
But what if you like your hot chocolate simple? No problem!
This hot cocoa board also has chocolate caramel candies, cookies, and pretzels that you can snack on in between sips.
What Do You Put on a Hot Cocoa Board?
- Whipped cream – Load your hot cocoa board with classic hot chocolate toppings like whipped cream!
- Dark chocolate chips – You can also chop chocolate bars, but chocolate chips melt beautifully in the hot cocoa along with other mix-ins. 🤤
- White chocolate chips – Trust me, a cup of hot chocolate with white chocolate is just divine!Â
- Candy sprinkles – Display different colors and shapes on your hot chocolate platter! Whipped cream with rainbow sprinkles? My inner child is obsessed!
- Meringues – Floating melt-in-the-mouth meringues in hot cocoa, anyone?
- Marshmallow twists – Is it really a hot chocolate board without marshmallows? You can have different marshmallow shapes, flavors, and colors to make your hot cocoa charcuterie board really stand out.
- Assorted marshmallows – Use your favorite marshmallows, or for something fun, check out themed ones like the Christmas marshmallows on this hot chocolate charcuterie board.
- Rolled wafers – Besides assorted colors and shapes, this hot cocoa platter is also more enjoyable with different textures, so crunchy wafer sticks are perfect. Plus, rolled wafers can work as edible stirrers for hot cocoa! 😉
- Caramel chocolates – Hot cocoa is also delicious with caramel, so feel free to add your favorite caramel treats to this platter.
- Chocolate-covered pretzel twists – More delicious toppings/dippers for hot cocoa!
- Chocolate-coated pretzel sticks – You can also opt for plain pretzel rods.Â
- Chocolate-dipped cookies – Even homemade cookies will be perfect for this hot chocolate charcuterie board!
Tools Needed To Prepare a Hot Chocolate Board
- Charcuterie board for serving the hot cocoa platter
More Hot Chocolate Platter Ideas
Boozy hot chocolate board
Make your hot chocolate charcuterie board for an adult-only party!
Add Bailey’s Irish cream, black rum, and creme de menthe to this platter for spiked hot cocoa. Yum!
Hot cocoa board with dunkables
Your hot cocoa board is not just for hot chocolate toppings. I bet guests will love dunking treats like shortbread cookies, waffles, and graham crackers into the creamy cup of hot cocoa.Â
Ultimate hot cocoa charcuterie board
Want to have the best hot cocoa charcuterie board? Satisfy all kinds of hot chocolate cravings with hot chocolate variations to enjoy with the treats on this board!
You can have hot white chocolate (Just swap the dark/milk chocolate with white chocolate in the hot chocolate recipe), caramel hot cocoa (Whisk caramel sauce and milk, then add the mixture to the hot chocolate), and chai hot chocolate (Stir chai concentrate into the milk used for the hot cocoa.) 😋
How to Make the Ultimate Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup candy sprinkles
- 1 cup meringues
- 2 cups marshmallow twists
- 2 cups assorted marshmallows
- 15 pcs rolled wafers
- 10 pcs caramel chocolates
- 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzel twists
- 5 pcs chocolate-coated pretzel sticks
- 5 pcs chocolate-dipped cookies
Tools you need:
Instructions:
STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your hot cocoa charcuterie board.
STEP 2: Place the whipped cream, chocolate chips, and candy sprinkles in the center of the board.
STEP 3: Add the marshmallows and meringues.
STEP 4: Continue filling the gaps in the board with rolled wafers, caramel chocolates, and pretzels.
STEP 5: Finish the board with the remaining chocolate-covered pretzels and cookies. Serve with hot chocolate!
What To Serve With Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
Serve this hot cocoa charcuterie board with your favorite add-ins and toppings for hot chocolate! You can prepare bottles of syrups and sauces like chocolate and caramel.
Here’s a fun idea: Decorate the syrup bottles with festive papers and ribbons to match the theme of your dessert table! This hot cocoa platter is perfect for the holidays, after all. 🎄
Speaking of which, you can also create a holiday hot chocolate board and load it with seasonal treats like peppermint cookies, gingerbread men, and Christmas-themed pretzels.
Another idea is to tweak this hot cocoa board for grown-ups and serve the platter with peppermint schnapps and assorted alcoholic mixers.
But if you ask me, this hot chocolate platter is best served with other dessert boards.
Gone are the days when charcuterie boards are only for savory treats. Check out our s’more charcuterie board and caramel apple charcuterie board, both perfect for entertaining!
Tips About Making a Hot Cocoa Board
- Instead of store-bought hot chocolate powder and hot chocolate bombs, serve this hot cocoa charcuterie board with the best homemade hot chocolate mix! Pour this hot cocoa mix into a fancy jar or container, place it in the center of the hot chocolate board, and let everyone prepare their hot cocoa however they like.
- Need a tip for putting together a gorgeous hot chocolate charcuterie board? Start with the items in bowls, then fill the gaps around them with assorted treats. Play with different colors and textures!
- Don’t forget to place small plates and serving spoons beside the hot cocoa board so guests won’t put their hands directly on the platter. As for the cups, opt for 12-ounce cups. With this size, guests will have plenty of space for the toppings and dippers of their hot chocolate.
How To Store Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
This hot cocoa charcuterie board is best done within a few hours of serving.
Chocolate can bloom in the fridge, and the textures of the soft and chewy marshmallows and crunchy pretzels and cookies can also change when stored in the fridge/freezer.
- Fridge: Group similar items in your hot cocoa platter in separate containers and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Leftover hot chocolate (cooled first, of course) can also last in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Technically, you can freeze the items in this hot chocolate charcuterie board, but the temperature change from being frozen to getting thawed can change their flavors and textures. Freezing hot chocolate might also alter its taste and texture.
- Reheating: You can reheat your refrigerated leftover hot cocoa over the stovetop, stirring occasionally until it’s steaming.
This is why I highly recommend our homemade hot chocolate mix because it stores much easier than hot chocolate in its liquid form. You also don’t need to worry about leftovers because…
a.) It’s super rich and creamy that leftovers are unlikely 😅
b.) It’s stirred with your hot liquid of choice, so portions for the party are easy to control versus making a big batch of hot chocolate
How Do You Serve Hot Chocolate at a Party?
How do you set up a hot chocolate station for a party?
Serve the hot cocoa in something that will keep it nice and warm.
The easiest option is to pour the hot cocoa into a large pot and keep it on the stove or use a slow cooker in the lowest setting.Â
You can also have multiple carafes (depending on the size of your crowd), or for a smaller gathering, serve your hot chocolate in a pretty pot.
What Food Goes with Hot Chocolate?
You can’t go wrong with the classics we picked for this hot cocoa charcuterie board. Mini marshmallows and crunchy treats like chocolate pretzels and cookies will always be delicious with rich hot cocoa.Â
You can also take inspiration from the season, your party’s theme, or consider what you think your guests will like best.
How about some soft and chewy apple butter cookies for a cozy cup of hot chocolate? (This pairing is perfect for fall!)
Or, for a delicious contrast of temperatures, our salted caramel ice cream sandwiches will taste divine with warm hot cocoa. 😋
FAQ About Serving a Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
How do you keep hot chocolate hot for a group?
Keep hot chocolate warm with a Crock Pot or insulated carafes. These are great options for serving hot chocolate at a party.Â
How do you serve hot chocolate at an outdoor event?
For an outdoor event, serve hot chocolate mess-free using an insulated dispenser and ripple wall cups with lids!
Is it better to use water or milk for hot cocoa?
You can use either, as it’s a matter of preference. Milk for hot cocoa is perfect for a creamy cup of hot chocolate, while some prefer plain hot water for their hot cocoa for a thinner consistency.
How do you make hot cocoa better?
Add salt to really bring out the chocolate flavor of the drink, or toast the marshmallows first for a s’more-like taste on your hot cocoa. You can also make your hot chocolate with espresso powder and vanilla ice cream like an affogato.
Does chocolate belong on a charcuterie board?
Of course! Everyone does their charcuterie board differently. The platter is no longer limited to cheese and cured meat; some even make dessert charcuterie boards with chocolates.
Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
This hot cocoa charcuterie board is perfect for the holidays and beyond! It's a festive platter filled with your favorite hot chocolate mix-ins and toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup candy sprinkles
- 1 cup meringues
- 2 cups marshmallow twists
- 2 cups assorted marshmallows
- 15 pcs rolled wafers
- 10 pcs caramel chocolates
- 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzel twists
- 5 pcs chocolate-coated pretzel sticks
- 5 pcs chocolate-dipped cookies
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients for your hot cocoa charcuterie board.
- Place the whipped cream, chocolate chips, and candy sprinkles in the center of the board.
- Add the marshmallows and meringues.
- Continue filling the gaps in the board with rolled wafers, caramel chocolates, and pretzels.
- Finish the board with the remaining chocolate-covered pretzels and cookies. Serve with hot chocolate!
Notes
- Enjoy this hot cocoa charcuterie board with the best homemade hot chocolate mix! Stir this easy hot chocolate mix in milk or water for a rich, creamy cup of hot cocoa.Â
- How do you put together a gorgeous hot chocolate charcuterie board? Start with the food items that need to be in small bowls, then just fill the gaps around them with treats of assorted colors and shapes.Â
- Don't forget to prepare small plates and serving spoons so guests won't put their hands directly on the hot cocoa platter. I also suggest using 12-ounce cups for the hot cocoa. This way, guests will have plenty of space for the toppings and dippers of their hot chocolate.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 908Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 391mgCarbohydrates: 143gFiber: 5gSugar: 100gProtein: 8g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
PSA for hot chocolate lovers: you all have to make this hot cocoa charcuterie board!
Whether for a holiday party or a simple movie night, this delicious display of hot chocolate mix-ins and toppings is guaranteed to help you make the ultimate hot chocolate.
Choose from meringues, marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, pretzels, and cookies. It’s possible to make a unique cup of hot cocoa every single time.
You don’t even need to wait for the winter months! This hot chocolate charcuterie board comes together so quickly and easily that you can make it whenever the hot cocoa cravings strike.Â
For more creative ideas, check out our unique charcuterie boards. They prove that entertaining can be effortless without sacrificing the wow factor.
Here are some of my favorite snack boards: