Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board: An Ultimate Dessert Treat

This post shows you the best hot cocoa board ideas from the main list of cheap catering board ideas.

If you love sweet treats, a chocolate charcuterie board can be a wonderful addition.

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in all things warm, cozy, and sweet, and nothing says comfort like a hot chocolate cheeseboard.

This festive board is an inviting spread of chocolates, cookies, candies, dips, and dippers that pair beautifully with your favorite hot cocoa charcuterie board ideas.

Are you hosting a Christmas hot chocolate charcuterie board for your friends and family or preparing a Valentine’s Day treat? This is a fun, interactive way to elevate any occasion.

Today, I’m going to walk you through how to create a chocolate dessert charcuterie board that’ll be the highlight of your next party, perfect for special occasions or just a cozy night in.

What Ingredients Did I Use to Make It?

When putting together a hot chocolate dessert board, it’s important to include a variety of flavors and textures that will complement your hot cocoa. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients I used.

• Hot Chocolate: Hot cocoa mix and mugs

• Salami & Cheese like Chocolate salami, aged cheeses (e.g., Vermont, blue cheese)

• Chocolate Treats. For example: Dark chocolate bars, white chocolate, chocolate truffles

• Savory Snacks like Pretzel rods, cookies, caramel sauce, peanut butter

• Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, berries, banana slices

• Toppings: Marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate-covered cherries, sea salt caramels

• Fun Additions: Chocolate spoons, chili peppers, raw honey

• Serving: Wooden board, small bowls

How Do I Make the Perfect Hot Chocolate to Go with the Board?

Now that the board is ready, it’s time to focus on the star of the show—the hot chocolate! To create the best, fluffiest hot cocoa that perfectly pairs with all the toppings, follow this simple recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of milk (you can use non-dairy milk if preferred)

• 2 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix

• 2 tablespoons of chocolate ganache (for extra richness)

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

METHOD

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm, but not boiling.

2. Add the hot cocoa mix, chocolate ganache, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is melted and the cocoa is smooth and creamy.

3. Pour into mugs or a large thermos to keep warm throughout your event.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of sea salt, or a chocolate spoon for stirring!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Base:

Start with a large wooden board or cheese platter to serve as the base of your charcuterie board. The size of the board will depend on how many guests you’re serving, but make sure it’s large enough to fit all your goodies!

2. Arrange Your Hot Chocolate:

Pour your hot cocoa into mugs or a large thermos. If you’re serving a group, consider using a thermos or a small slow cooker to keep the hot chocolate warm throughout the event. Place the mugs on one side of the board for easy access.

3. Add Your Salami and Cheese:

For a savory touch, include sliceable saucisson-style ganache logs or chocolate salami alongside aged cheeses like Vermont cheeses. You can also add some blue cheese for variety. Arrange these items in small sections around the board to create a balance with the sweet treats. Make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.

4. Add chocolate bars & truffles:

Place an assortment of rich dark chocolate and white chocolate bars on the board. Break them into pieces for easy grabbing. Add some chocolate truffles for a more luxurious touch—these can be placed near the cheeses or interspersed throughout the board.

5. Incorporate Sweet Toppings:

Now it’s time to add the sweet toppings! Scatter marshmallows, sea salt caramels, chocolate-covered cherries, and candy canes across the board. These add a variety of textures and flavors, perfect for dunking in your hot chocolate.

6. Savory Snacks and Dips

To balance out the sweetness, include a few savory snacks like pretzel rods and cookies. Arrange bowls of caramel sauce, peanut butter, or chocolate ganache for dipping. These rich dips pair wonderfully with everything on the board, including the chocolate salami and cheeses.

7. Add Fresh Fruit:

Fresh fruit helps balance the richness of the chocolate and cheeses. Place fresh strawberries, fresh berries, and banana slices around the board. These not only provide a fresh, juicy contrast but also brighten up the visual appeal of the board.

8. Finishing Touches:

To really elevate your board, add chocolate spoons (perfect for stirring into hot cocoa) and chili peppers for a fun, unexpected kick. You can also place a small jar of raw honey or tree syrups for a drizzle over the cheese or chocolate truffles.

9. Arrange Everything for Visual Appeal:

Start placing the larger items like salami and cheese first, and then work your way to the smaller items like chocolate bars and candy canes. Be sure to leave some gaps for people to grab their favorite treats, ensuring the board remains accessible and visually inviting. Mix in both sweet and savory elements for a balanced look.

10. Serve & Enjoy:

Now that everything is arranged, it’s time to serve! Let your guests enjoy the hot chocolate cuisine board by pairing different chocolates, cheeses, fruits, and dips with their hot cocoa. You can even encourage them to get creative by dipping, stirring, and mixing up different combinations.

RECIPE CARD

Conclusion

Creating a hot chocolate charcuterie board is a fun and delicious way to enjoy a cozy night in or celebrate a special occasion.

Which part of the hot chocolate charcuterie board stood out to you the most?

If you want more food inspiration and fun recipe ideas, make sure to follow me on Pinterest for plenty of tasty boards that’ll keep you entertained and inspired. I can’t wait to see what you create!

I hope this inspires you to create your own indulgent hot chocolate charcuterie board! Let me know how it turns out!

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