Pin This Santa Charcuterie Cookie Platter turns dessert into a showstopper centerpiece. Designed to look just like Santa Claus himself, this platter brings instant holiday cheer to any gathering, making it just as fun to assemble as it is to eat. Think of it as an edible craft project for grown-ups and kids alike. With no baking required and endless room for customization, it is my go-to for cookie swaps and Christmas Eve treats.
Any time I bring this platter to a holiday party, it disappears in minutes. Kids love picking out their favorite treats and adults are always wowed by how adorable it looks.
Ingredients
- Vanilla wafer cookies: add that classic buttery crunch for the base and are easy to layer in a face shape look for ones that are fresh and golden without cracks
- Chocolate sandwich cookies: these become Santa’s eyes and add rich chocolate flavor use a crunchy premium brand for the best texture
- Mini gingerbread men cookies: bring that classic spice and quaint charm look for well-spiced cookies with crisp edges
- Small sugar cookies iced: the color and icing details make the platter truly festive seek out cookies with bright designs
- Red velvet cookies: these make Santa’s hat stand out with bold red color and soft cake texture choose moist ones for best results
- Mini marshmallows: useful for Santa’s beard and hat trim pick plush, fresh ones for maximum fluffiness
- Red candy-coated chocolates: these become part of Santa’s hat and nose best if you use ones with a glossy finish for eye-catching color
- White chocolate chips: form the mustache and provide creamy sweetness look for pure white chips with a vanilla scent
- Chocolate chips: you need these for Santa’s eyes and edible decoration choose semi-sweet for balance
- Strawberry licorice ropes: perfect for building Santa’s mouth and adding some chewy texture pick soft, flexible ropes for easy shaping
- Black licorice bites: these make a big smile or define features find fresh, chewy bites for best effect
- Fresh strawberries halved: these become Santa’s rosy cheeks or more hat color choose ripe but firm berries for easy slicing
- Raspberries: add burst of sweet tart flavor and extra holiday red use gently to avoid squishing
- Shredded coconut: creates a fluffy beard and hat trim use unsweetened for a less sugary plate
- Whipped cream optional: adds extra dimensional fluff for last-minute popping on trim or hat use stabilized if platter is sitting out
Instructions
- Select Your Platter:
- Pick a large round or oval platter with a rim so all your treats stay in place. Wipe it clean and dry to keep cookies crisp
- Outline Santa’s Face:
- Using a ring of vanilla wafer cookies, make the base of Santa’s face. Slightly overlap the cookies for an even shape
- Make Santa’s Hat:
- Arrange red velvet cookies and a loose pile of red candy-coated chocolates in a gentle triangle up top. Cap the hat with a mound of marshmallows or a swoosh of whipped cream as Santa’s pom-pom
- Build Beard and Hat Trim:
- Line mini marshmallows and sprinkle shredded coconut to fill out Santa’s beard area and the plush edge of his hat. Fluff the marshmallows and coconut with your hands so the beard really pops
- Add Santa’s Eyes and Nose:
- Position two chocolate sandwich cookies or dense piles of chocolate chips as eyes in the center of the face. Use a halved fresh strawberry or a red candy-coated chocolate right in the middle for the nose
- Shape Mustache and Smile:
- Arrange white chocolate chips in a swoop on each side below the nose for a mustache. You can also pipe or dab whipped cream if you want more curl Add a wide smile beneath using strawberry licorice ropes. Curve into a grin or use black licorice bites for playful detail
- Decorate With Extra Treats:
- Fill in all gaps with mini gingerbread men, sugar cookies, raspberries, and remaining treats. Alternate colors and shapes for a lively patchwork look
- Serve and Store:
- Serve immediately to keep everything fresh. You can loosely cover and refrigerate the platter for an hour or so if prepping ahead
Pin One year my niece covered Santa’s beard entirely with marshmallows and insisted on adding rainbow sprinkles because she said Santa needed more glitter. That creative touch started a family tradition every year, someone adds their own new twist to the Santa face.
Storage Tips
Wrap the finished platter loosely with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to four hours to keep cookies from getting too soft. Any leftovers will hold for one to two days in an airtight container in the fridge but the best texture and crunch is on the day it is made. If your platter includes whipped cream, serve as soon as possible since it can deflate quickly.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use gluten free or allergy friendly cookies if needed to match any dietary restrictions among your guests. For the beard, swap mini pretzel twists or popcorn instead of coconut if you want a nut free or coconut free option. Out of red velvet cookies. Use chocolate chip or brownie cookies and tuck extra red candies along the edge for color.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this platter with hot chocolate, mulled cider, or strong coffee to balance all the sweets. Add a festive cheese or fruit platter nearby to give guests a savory option. For a super playful table, offer kid sized tongs so little hands can self serve with less mess.
Cultural and Holiday Background
Cookie platters at Christmas are a classic American tradition handed down through generations. This playful spin started catching on a few years ago with the rise of themed ‘charcuterie boards’ for every occasion. I love how this version makes the Santa cookie tradition front and center and lets everyone get creative together.
Seasonal Adaptations
Swap strawberries for pomegranate seeds if they look better at your market Switch in chocolate mint cookies for a wintergreen touch Add candied orange peel or mini candy canes for color and crunch
Success Stories
A neighbor brought her version using shortbread rounds and dried cranberries for the nose and she said her holiday guests still talk about how fun and delicious it was. Last December we made mini platters for the classroom each kid got to build their own Santa face and not a single cookie went uneaten.
Freezer Meal Conversion
Most cookies freeze well so you can prep a batch of cookies and candies a week ahead and thaw the day of your gathering. Prepare fruit and assemble just before serving for maximum freshness and no soggy bits.
Pin This platter is all about sharing and creativity. Let everyone add their own flair and watch your edible Santa centerpieces become the hit of the holiday table.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I achieve a Santa Claus design?
Place vanilla wafers for the face, use red treats for the hat, coconut and marshmallows for the beard, and arrange candies for facial features.
- → Can this platter be made nut-free?
Double-check ingredient labels for nuts and select nut-free cookies and candies to make it suitable for those with allergies.
- → What types of cookies work best?
Use variety like vanilla wafers, chocolate cookies, gingerbread men, and iced sugar cookies for texture and color contrast.
- → Can I prepare the platter in advance?
Yes, arrange the platter and store covered in the refrigerator. Add whipped cream and delicate items just before serving.
- → How can I customize the platter?
Switch cookie and candy types, add fruits, or modify shapes to fit your own holiday colors and preferences.
- → What drinks pair well with this dish?
Warm drinks such as hot chocolate, coffee, or mulled wine complement the sweet treats nicely.