Hot cocoa charcuterie boards – what could be a more decadent offering for movie night, games night, slumber parties…? It’s like chocolate fondue had a glow-up makeover! Your pavlova boards are already a hit dessert at dinner parties, now it’s time to get on board the latest recipe trend and serve up hot chocolate charcuterie!
Ingredients for your hot chocolate charcuterie board
The quickest and easiest hot cocoa charcuterie boards require the least input, but you can go as fancy as you like, especially at Christmas time when so many sweet delights are available. Here are some tasty ideas for inspiration:
The main event
- Best quality drinking chocolate
- Flavoured hot chocolate powder (mint, caramel, orange, white etc.)
- Homemade hot chocolate
Basic toppings
- Whipped cream
- Squirty cream
- Scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce, or raspberry sauce, or all three!
Stirring sticks
- Candy canes
- Wafer sticks
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cadbury Flake or Twirl (these will melt in to create a deliciously chocolatey high!)
- Brandy Snaps
Add some flavour, texture, and side serves
- Fresh cherries
- Glace cherries
- Marshmallows – big or mini
- Fresh honeycomb
- Hokey pokey (candy honeycomb)
- Pretzels (chocolate coated ones are also available!)
- Biscotti biscuits, or Biscoff
- Sponge fingers (like the ones you use to make trifle)
- Fruit and nut bliss balls
- Sweet, salty, and caramel popcorn
- Macarons
- Star Anaise
- Edible Flowers
- Cinnamon sugar
- Chocolate bark (try this Halloween version!)
If kids are involved, add shredded coconut or colourful sprinkles from the cake decorating aisle, or mini smarties too.
Presenting your hot cocoa charcuterie board
You will need a large serving board or serving tray on which to present your hot chocolate charcuterie board, plus pretty serving dishes and spoons.
If you are serving mugs of warm milk, start your board with a big bowl of powdered drinking chocolate, or measured serves of cocoa powder in novelty test tubes. Alternatively, pour ready made hot chocolate straight from a pretty chocolate pot or jug.
Display your toppings in groups and serving dishes on your large wooden board or serving tray. Present each of the toppings in whatever little dishes you have to hand – ramekins or little jars look great – then invite your guests to dig in and get creative!
Hot cocoa charcuterie board inspiration
Your charcuterie board can be as sweet and creative as your imagination allows. Keep it simple with a few shop-bought dippers and toppers, or show off your culinary skills with an artfully presented masterpiece. Try these ideas for inspiration…
Candy bar
This candy bar hot chocolate charcuterie board is loaded with sweet treats.
Choc meringue
Doesn’t this board just make you want to cosy up in front of a real fire and indulge! You can make homemade stirring sticks by layering melted chocolate in a toffee case or silicon ice cube tray, standing a paddle pop stick in it, and popping it in the fridge to set. We love the chocolate coated biscuit stirring sticks and crisp meringue, too. Mmmmm, that crisp meringue will be a delight when it melts into the cocoa!
Festive fun
Make a fun festive Christmas themed hot cocoa board with filled with peppermint flavours and squishy marshmallows. I think Santa would love this as an alternative to cookies and milk!
Pink party
Colour coordinate your hot chocolate board to match your party theme. Pink is always going to be easy, but a stroll through your local supermarket’s cake decorating and lolly ailses will inspire you with coloured chocolate beans, Mint Aero chocolate bars, and themed decorations.
Sugar high
Every kids favourite – pure lolly heaven on a platter! Serve this up when you don’t need to get the kids into bed for an early night.
