What do I put in a Charcuterie Board?

Usually the answer is…whatever you want! For this Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board we’ve included lots of yummy things some of which are seasonal but substitutions can easily be made.

Items we used:

Pirouette cookies, chocolate chips, popcorn, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, white candy melts, M&M’s, marshmallows, caramels, coconut, mini chocolate chips, peppermint Hershey kisses, gingerbread men, Ghiradelli peppermint squares, caramel and chocolate sauce and Andes mints. 

With this many options, there is always something for everyone.

Do you have a good Hot Chocolate recipe?

Glad you asked!  Yes we do.  Our favorite hot cocoa mix can be made ahead and then ready when you want to make hot cocoa fast. 

Hot Cocoa Mix

What else can you make a charcuterie board for?

One of our favorite other ways to make a Charcuterie Board is for snacks for kids.  Whenever we make these boards, we let the grandkids help create them and then they gobble the items down like nothing flat.  Our Christmas Charcuterie Board disappeared in a manner of minutes.  Bonus points that it was healthy for the grandkids too!

But here is our Charcuterie Platter for Kids Snacks:

What can I use for my Charcuterie Board?

We have used a myriad of different items.  A marble slab is always beautiful but we’ve also used wood boards, cutting boards and trays.  Large platters can also work.

We hope that this has opened your eyes to all the possibilities of doing a Charcuterie Board.  They are so fun!

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Historically Charcuterie Boards were created with artfully arranged cured meats and cheeses.  Nowadays you can make pretty much anything into a Charcuterie Board.

Including a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board.

These are extremely easy to make which makes it a fun thing to do with your grandkids.  My sister Tracy’s two little granddaughters helped with this Charcuterie Christmas Tree and then promptly ate almost the whole thing! 

Their mom was surprised because usually the girls only like “orange” cheese but they gobbled up all of the cheese. 

I think that letting kids help with dishes like this really helps them become invested and much more interested and willing to try new foods.

Just watch the cute little hands below as they help to create this beautiful masterpiece!

Items Needed:

Cranberries, seedless red, green and purple grapes, star fruit, kiwi, fresh evergreen sprigs, one large stalk of celery, thyme, rosemary or mint leaves, and a variety of cheeses.  We chose extra sharp white cheddar, a dill havarti and an italian fontal caravaggio cheese.  Really, any white cheese will do.  Or even “orange” cheeses will work!

Instructions:

Cut up your cheeses into cubes and also slice the kiwi and star fruit.

On a charcuterie board, start by laying out your evergreen sprigs.

Starting at the bottom, layer your first row of cubed cheese.

Follow the cheese by a row of grapes.  Whatever color you prefer.

Then continue to the top of the three as shown below:

When your layers are done, garnish with the sliced kiwi and the star fruit.

Sprinkle with fresh cranberries.

Finish with adding some thyme, rosemary or mint leaves.

So put your grandkids to work and then get prepared for a beautiful feast! 

Recipe adapted from Muy Bueno Cookbook

Are you loving the Charcuterie idea?  Here’s another great one that we have for you!

Charcuterie Platter for Kids Snacks

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I don’t know about you but when it comes to eating, my grandkids are so picky. 

My one daughter has three kids.  If two of them like something, the third child does not.

Trying to find something that all three kids will eat is a challenge and that is why I love this Charcuterie Platter for kids.  There is bound to be something that all three kids will eat. One of the great things about this is also, is that little ones can help arrange the board.  (After they wash their hands of course!) I find that if I can get them to help, they are more likely to be interested in eating. 

We found that it was easier to start from outside in. If you have a marble slab that would be beautiful but you can also just use a wood cutting board just like we did. Start lining and layering your items around the edges and then start filling into the middle.  It’s not hard to make it look beautiful and appetizing!

Here are some of the items that we used for this tray. 

White chocolate covered pretzels, strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries, grapes, sugar wafers, chocolate chip cookies, mini marshmallows and rice krispie treats.  Other ideas might be white chocolate chips, chocolate chips, nuts and different kinds of cheeses.  Really the sky is the limit and you can add all sorts of things that your kids would like.

 This is such a great idea for a snack because it is so flexible. Choose things that your kids would like and include items that you already have on hand.

When you are ready for the fruit dip (we forgot to take a picture with our fruit dip.  Ooops!  Our little ones were ready to eat!) there isn’t a quicker or easier one than this:

1 8oz pkg of cream cheese

1 7oz jar of Marshmallow creme.

Mix these two together until well blended and then dip away!

I have to admit, this Charcuterie Platter for Kids Snacks was one of my better ideas and the grandkids loved it!  I know yours will too.  Or at least, MOST of them will!  Oh those picky kids!

Are you needing some more ideas for healthy snacks for kids?  Here’s a couple that we have for you!

Fresh Fruit Frozen Yogurt Bites               

DIY Yogurt To Go

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