Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board: all the fixings for making the perfect hot chocolate, great for holiday or winter entertaining.

Jump to:

• Is It Really Charcuterie?
• Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Cocoa
• What To Include On A Hot Chocolate Board
• Serving Pieces
• Recipe
• More Inspiration

This hot chocolate charcuterie board is perfect for sharing with friends over the holiday season or anytime during the winter. It's full of all the treats you need to make the most delicious cup hot chocolate and is a really fun way to share with a crowd. Your guests will love it and it will take your cup of hot chocolate to the next level! This is perfect for any hot chocolate lovers.

Is It Really Charcuterie?

No, it isn't really charcuterie, in the traditional sense. The word charcuterie really means a cured meat products board, but in recent years this term has been used not just for a traditional charcuterie board filled with an assortment of meats, but also cheese boards, and even sweets boards. It seems to have a become a term that's interchangeable for any snack or dessert board, and here we're even using it for drink items. Strictly speaking this is not really charcuterie, but a dessert board, but we're taking our cue from popular culture here. With dessert charcuterie boards becoming more and more popular, we think you'll love our classic hot chocolate version.

Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Cocoa

Many people use these terms interchangeably, especially in North America. Cocoa is a powdered substance produced from cocoa beans, and doesn't have any cocoa butter present like chocolate does. Technically, a drink made from the powder instead of actual chocolate is hot cocoa. And hot chocolate would be made from hot milk and melted chocolate. It would tend be richer and thicker than hot cocoa. Although that is the technical difference, most people are more affected by where they live, as to which term they use. Some regions use hot chocolate, and others typically say hot cocoa and would call this a hot cocoa board. Since this board has both actual chocolate, and powdered mix, either term would be technically correct here.

What To Include On A Hot Chocolate Board

We has so much fun putting our hot chocolate charcuterie board together. Here are the yummy hot chocolate toppings we included on ours:

• Hot Chocolate Mix
• Whipped Cream
• Candy Canes
• Belgium Chocolate Wafers
• White Chocolate Wafers
• Chocolate Chips
• Rolo Chocolate and Caramel Candies
• Chocolate Spoons
• Marshmallows -Mini Marshmallows, Regular, Homemade Marshmallow Mug Toppers
• Wafer Cookies -Vanilla, and Chocolate

More Fun Ideas:

• white chocolate chips
• milk chocolate chips
• chocolate syrup
• hot chocolate bombs
• hershey kisses
• peanut butter cups

Hot Chocolate Mix

We used our homemade hot chocolate mix on our board -see our recipe here in the center of the board. This is a great option for guests to serve themselves. Another option would be to make a large batch of hot chocolate in a pot, slow cooker, or tea pot. For individuals to make their own, don't forget to boil some hot water, or warm some milk for making the actual hot chocolate.

Chocolates and Caramel

We included lots of additional chocolate options to add in, like Belgian milk chocolate wafers, white chocolate wafers, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chocolate spoons in milk and dark chocolate and arranged them all over and to the edge of the board. We also added in the rolos for any caramel lovers. You could also try caramel sauce, caramel syrup, or caramel candies as a different option for the caramel lover. You might also include some sea salt, for the salted caramel lover.

Mint

We added candy canes to our board for the mint lover, another great option would be some chocolate mint candies, or crushed peppermint candies, or peppermint sticks.

Marshmallows

We wanted lots of marshmallow options, because they really are the best hot chocolate toppers. On our board there are regular mini and regular marshmallows. We also added our homemade marshmallow mug toppers for lots of different options. These are actually not too hard to make, and the best thing about homemade marshmallows taste is they are much lighter and fluffier, and more delicate than store bought ones. We used cookie cutters to cut the snowflakes and hearts, but you could do any shape you liked. We drizzled some with melted chocolate and added sprinkles too. You can get our homemade marshmallow mug toppers recipe here.

Whipped Cream and Cookies

Another favourite topper for hot chocolate here is whipped cream, and it's always nice to include a bowl of it. 

Lastly we added some wafer cookies in vanilla and chocolate. These are a great accompaniment, and great for dipping. On the side there's also some mini cupcakes to enjoy with the hot chocolate.

Serving Pieces

It's best to start out with a large cutting board to create any charcuterie board. We used a lazy Susan one, which is perfect for a party, because guests can spin the board and reach things from all sides. A large wooden tray, or large platter would be a great choice too.

I used lots of small bowls, and cups for this board made of cream coloured pottery. The texture they add to the board is a really nice addition, and they're helpful for adding the ingredients that require a container. I paired these with some pretty wood spoons, that again add some texture to the board. We also added two of the tumblers. These are perfect for sipping, but any mug would do.

You should be able to pick up most of the ingredients for your board at the grocery store. We also found some of our favorite toppings at the bulk store, which is always great when you want lots of options in small quantities.

Keep these hot chocolate charcuterie board ideas in mind for your next holiday party, Christmas eve, or as a great addition to movie night. It's sure to be a hit at any holiday gatherings.

Recipe

With a hot chocolate charcuterie board to enjoy, life really is a party!

More Inspiration

You might also like our homemade hot chocolate mix here.

Also check out our homemade marshmallow mug toppers here.

You might also like our chocolate charcuterie board here.

Also check out our s'more charcuterie board here.