Hey friends! Darian here from County Mama Cooking. When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing I love more than warming up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. But why not take it up a notch by turning this classic drink into a fun, festive charcuterie board? Keep reading for tips on putting together the ultimate Hot Chocolate Charcuterie.
Elevating a Childhood Favorite
Rich, chocolatey Hot Chocolate Charcuterie really takes me back to childhood. As a kid, I looked forward to snow days when my mom would let me stir up mugs of Swiss Miss topped with a heap of marshmallows.
While boxed cocoa is nostalgic, from-scratch hot chocolate is so much more decadent! Making it myself allows me to play with flavors, like adding a splash of coffee or peppermint extract. Topping it off with homemade whipped cream and marshmallows takes it over the top.
But as a mom of three, I’m always looking for ways to make snack time more fun for my kids. So I decided to get creative and turn hot chocolate into an interactive charcuterie board! Building a spread of dippable treats to swirl into their mugs kept the kids engaged while satisfying their sweet tooths.
Hot Chocolate Charcuterie
Equipment
- 1 serving tray
- 1 small bowl
Ingredients
- hot chocolate powder
- how water
- milk
- chocolate chips/chocolates
- peppermints/candy canes
- cookies
- marshmallows
Instructions
- Grab a serving tray of any size, and how ever many mugs you will need. Don’t worry, the mugs don’t have to match!
- Place your mugs onto the tray somewhere in the middle.
- In a small bowl add the hot chocolate powder and add the bowl to the tray. Do the same for the chocolate chips (if your adding them).
- If your using milk or cream, pour it into a small cream dish (or any small container with a pour spout), and add it to the tray.
- Then just fill in the tray with all the goodies you want.
- I suggest adding marshmallows last, as they make a good filler.
Video
Notes
- Get creative, use your favorite cookies or even rice krispie treats!
- Have different marshmallow sizes available
- Have a spoon for each mug on the tray
- Just have fun with it!
- Try adding some holiday themed sprinkles
Helpful Hints for Assembling Your Board
If you’re new to the concept, Hot Chocolate Charcuterie boards feature an array of meats, cheeses, fruits and nuts for grazing. But the possibilities are endless! You can theme them around nearly any food or flavor.
For hot cocoa charcuterie, here are some of my tips:
- Display mugs of homemade hot chocolate made with milk or dark chocolate.
- Flank them with plates of marshmallows and whipped cream for topping.
- Include chocolatey dippables like brownies, chocolate chip cookies, fudge.
- Add fruit that pairs nicely with chocolate like strawberries and bananas.
- Incorporate crunchy toppings like crushed peppermint candies, biscotti, pretzels.
- Use decorative touches like sprinkles, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, cinnamon sticks.
- Arrange it all on a festive board or platter, in front of your coziest blankets!
Creative Ways to Sip and Dip
The fun of Hot Chocolate Charcuterie is sampling different flavor combinations with each bite. Here are some of my favorite ways to sip and dip when enjoying hot chocolate boards:
- Dip a brownie chunk into your hot chocolate before each bite.
- Skewer pieces of banana and marshmallow, dip into the hot cocoa.
- Scoop whipped cream onto a peppermint stick and swirl into the mug.
- Sprinkle crushed biscotti or pretzels on top for a crunchy finish.
- Frost the rim of your mug with chocolate hazelnut spread for a mocha vibe.
- Pile whipped cream high and drizzle with chocolate syrup.
- Garnish your marshmallows with colorful sprinkles.
- Dunk strawberries for a sweet and tart contrast.
FAQs About Hot Chocolate Charcuterie
This unique twist on Hot Chocolate Charcuterie does spur some questions! Here are answers to some common FAQs:
What type of chocolate should I use?
I prefer dark chocolate for rich flavor, but milk chocolate works too.
Should ingredients be kept warm?
The hot cocoa should stay hot. But room temp dippables are fine.
Can adults enjoy this too?
Absolutely! Use liquors like peppermint schnapps or Kahlua to spike the cocoa.
What’s the best hot chocolate recipe?
I love using melted chocolate, warm milk and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Can I theme it for other holidays?
Yes! Try peppermint for Christmas or pastels for Easter.
How long will this stay fresh?
The board is best enjoyed within 2 hours while the hot chocolate is still warm.
I don’t know about you, but I’m obsessed with this fun mashup of charcuterie grazing and hot chocolate sipping! It keeps the kids entertained while satisfying chocolate cravings. Customize your own Hot Chocolate Charcuterie board with your favorite sweet treats and mugs full of warm, creamy, chocolatey goodness. Just be careful not to burn your tongue! Let me know if you have questions. And stay cozy, friends.