Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to plan a get-together with family or friends and have some fun with charcuterie! This Christmas Dessert Charcuterie board is not only super easy to put together, but it’s also fun and festive and the perfect Christmas dessert board for any Christmas celebration! 

Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board

This isn’t your average charcuterie board – it’s shaped like everyone’s favorite reindeer, Rudolph! In this post, I’m sharing a creative Christmas charcuterie board idea that will make your holiday celebrations even more merry and bright. Get ready to wow your guests with this adorable and delicious Rudolph-themed holiday dessert board!

Looking for a savory Christmas Charcuterie board? Click here.

Why you’ll love this Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board

‘Tis the season for sweet treats and festive gatherings! There are so many ways you could go with a charcuterie board Christmas theme but I chose something really fun – Rudolph!

This adorable and delicious Rudolph-themed board is guaranteed to be the star of any Christmas party or gathering. And it can be as easy (store-bought) or as homemade as you’d like. 

The fun Rudolph theme is a great way to display Christmas cookies, candies, fruits, and other delightful sweets that are not only yummy but cute.

Not only is this Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board visually appealing, but it also offers a wide variety of flavors and textures to satisfy every sweet tooth.

From rich brownies to crispy cookies to spicy candies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. For the board I made, I used mostly store-bought cookies from the grocery store, but you could also use homemade cookies and treats (keep reading for recipes)! I’m including all the details below!

How to pronounce ‘charcuterie’?

Just for fun (and because everybody struggles with this, right?), let’s talk about how to pronounce charcuterie. The word “charcuterie” is pronounced “shahr-koo-tuh-ree.” 

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the delicious world of charcuterie!

What is charcuterie?

A classic charuterie board has been associated with savory cured meats and cheeses. But recently, charcuterie boards have evolved to encompass so much more. In recent years, people have strayed from the savory charcuterie board to dessert charcuterie boards.

Dessert boards have gained rapid popularity, offering a sweet twist on this beloved culinary trend. And since we’re making dessert charcuterie boards, we may as well make a holiday dessert charcuterie board for this festive season.

To create a Christmas-themed dessert charcuterie board, the sky is the limit for which favorite desserts you can use.

You can incorporate festive elements like gingerbread cookies, peppermints, and holiday-themed cookies or go back to the basics of chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and strawberries, These can be homemade desserts or treats from the seasonal aisle.

Either way, the possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor the board to your taste and style that screams “Merry Christmas!”

Dessert Charcuterie Board Ingredients

To create a festive and delicious Christmas dessert charcuterie board, you’ll need a variety of sweets that will make Rudolph come to life. 

Here are the specific items I used to create Rudolph:

• Brownies (baked from a box mix or you can use this scratch recipe) – cut into squares. This is the only baking I did for this dessert platter.
• Pretzel Sticks
• Large Marshmallows (for his eyes)
• Chocolate Chips (or brown M&Ms) for his eyes
• Red Candies (such as Red Hots, Cinnamon Imperials or even red M&Ms) for his nose
• Chocolate frosting (for attaching features), canned frosting or homemade chocolate buttercream would work or even chocolate ganache.

Optional and flexible ingredients to surround Rudolph. I took the easy way and used mostly store-bought treats so I could put this board together quickly. But homemade goodies would be even more amazing! For the Dessert Charcuterie board surrounding Rudolph, here’s what I used:

• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Iced Oatmeal Cookies
• Thumbprint Cookies
• Strawberries
• Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls, cut-up
• Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, cut-up
• Peppermints and Almonds in small bowls

More Dessert Charcuterie Board Possibilities

There are so many ways to change up this holiday charcuterie board idea to brighten up your get-togethers or holiday parties. Here’s a list of ideas and recipes that you can choose from:

Christmas cookies and treats:

Include a variety of your favorite Christmas cookies. Whether they’re homemade or store-bought, you can use Christmas cookies in different shapes, different sizes, and flavors. 

• Gingerbread cookies
• Sugar cookies
• Pecan Praline Cookies
• Butter cookies
• Mini cupcakes
• Rice Krispie treats
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

You could even make your board more specific as a Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board when you surround Rudolph with only cookies – making your favorite homemade cookies or using a cookie platter from the store.

Chocolates:

Add some holiday-themed chocolates to your board. Look for reindeer-shaped chocolates, mini chocolate bars (unwrapped), or chocolate-covered strawberries for a touch of elegance. Add a little sweet & salty twist if you want by using chocolate-covered pretzels or chocolate-covered nuts.

Candies:

Fill your board with a mix of colorful candies. Peppermint bark, candy canes, gumdrops, Christmas M&M’s and chocolate-covered marshmallows are sure to delight both kids and adults. Any kind of Christmas candy would be great!

Nuts:

Include a variety of nuts like almonds, pecans, and walnuts for some added crunch and texture. You can even spice them up by coating them in cinnamon and sugar or drizzling them with melted chocolate.

Fresh fruit:

Don’t forget to add some fresh fruit to balance out the sweetness. Consider using strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, grapes, and slices of apple or pear for a pop of color.

Holiday-themed sprinkles:

Sprinkle some holiday-themed sprinkles over your board for a festive touch. Choose sprinkles in red and green or go for a mix of gold and silver for a touch of elegance.

​As you’ll see, I even used Little Debbie treats (Swiss Rolls & Strawberry Shortcake Rolls) on this board so you could take it further and use Christmas Tree Cakes if you like!

Love Christmas Tree Cakes? Check out these recipes:

• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream
• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
• The Perfect Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake

How to Make a Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board

Putting together a Christmas dessert charcuterie board can be so much fun! 

1. First, place two large marshmallows in the center of a large wooden board or glass platter for Rudolph’s eyes. You can also use a cutting board if you want.
2. Stack two more marshmallows on top of the first two for height.
3. Arrange the brownies into the shape of Rudolph’s head, stacking them two layers thick to hold the marshmallows.
4. Press one chocolate candy into each marshmallow for the pupils. You can also fill in the spaces around the marshmallows with chocolate chips to help them stay standing.
5. Next, fill a small shallow bowl with red candies for the nose. 

6. Surround Rudolph’s face with assorted larger items like cookies and strawberries, then fill in spaces with smaller items like candies, and nuts. Be sure to leave space for rows of pretzel sticks as the antlers.

Display your Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dessert Charcuterie Board at your holiday gathering and watch the delight on everyone’s faces as they indulge in this sweet and creative treat.

This simple dessert charcuterie board is just plain fun when it’s made up of your favorite Christmas desserts! 

Pro Tips

Are you ready to take your Christmas dessert charcuterie board to the next level? Here are some pro tips to ensure your creation is a showstopper at your holiday gathering. 

1. Mix flavors and textures: Include a variety of flavors and textures on your board to cater to different tastes. Mix rich chocolates with crunchy cookies, chewy candies, and fresh fruit for a well-rounded experience.

2. Use festive decorations: Incorporate holiday-themed decorations to enhance the festive spirit of your charcuterie board. A bright red platter, colored bowls, foil-wrapped candies, etc.

3. Balance the colors: Choose sweets and treats in different colors to make your board visually appealing. Incorporate pops of red, green, and gold to create a vibrant and eye-catching display.

Serving Suggestions

This dessert charcuterie board is perfect for a family gathering, office party or get-together with friends.

Storage Instructions

After all the festivities, you may find yourself with leftovers from your Christmas dessert charcuterie board. So, how do you store the leftovers? Here are some storage instructions to keep your charcuterie board goodies fresh and ready for another round of enjoyment.

1. Separate and store: If you have different types of treats on your charcuterie board, it’s best to separate them before storing them. Place cookies in an airtight container or zip-top bag to maintain their freshness. Chocolates can be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Candies can be stored in airtight containers or resealable bags to prevent them from getting stale.
2. Keep refrigerated if necessary: If your charcuterie board includes fresh fruit or any perishable items, be sure to store them in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness. Place sliced fruits in airtight containers or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.
3. Avoid mixing flavors: When storing different types of treats, make sure they are not stored together as their flavors can transfer and affect the taste. Use separate containers or bags for each treat to preserve their individual flavors.
4. Label and date: To keep track of the storage time, it’s a good idea to label and date your containers or bags. This will help you know when to enjoy them and prevent any confusion later.
5. Enjoy within a few days: While you can store your charcuterie board treats for a few days, it’s best to enjoy them as soon as possible to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. This way, you can savor every delicious bite without worrying about the treats losing their quality.

FAQ

Are you ready to create your own Christmas dessert charcuterie board but have a few questions before you get started? We’ve got you covered with some frequently asked questions that will help you navigate the world of dessert charcuterie boards this holiday season.

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