This Christmas Snack Board Recipe is the ultimate festive treat that combines sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy elements all in one joyful platter. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or just craving a merry munch, this snack board offers vibrant colors and a variety of textures that will delight every taste bud. From peppermint Hershey Kisses to mini pretzel rods and colorful candies, each ingredient adds a special touch that brings the Christmas spirit right to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the essentials for your Christmas Snack Board Recipe is straightforward, with a balance of classic sweets and savory bites that create both visual appeal and flavor harmony. Each ingredient plays a key role, whether adding crunch, sweetness, or festive color to your board.
- 20 sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses: These add a sweet base with seasonal peppermint flavor or buttery cookie goodness.
- 20 square pretzels: Their salty crunch is perfect for balancing sweets and adding heartiness.
- 20 red and green M&Ms: These festive candies bring vibrant pops of color and chocolatey sweetness.
- 30 straight mini pretzel rods: Great for dipping and snacking, with a satisfying crunch.
- 30 candy eyeballs: Quirky and fun, they add an unexpected playful touch to your board.
- 15 mini red M&Ms: Smaller morsels to sprinkle across board sections for extra color and texture.
- â…“ cup brown chocolate melting wafers: Perfect for melting and drizzling, giving luscious chocolate accents.
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal: Adds light, crispy texture and balances heavier treats.
- 2 cups mini marshmallows: These soft, sweet bites add fluffiness and whimsy.
- 2 cups square pretzels: Another layer of salty crunch to fill out the selection.
- ¾ cup white chocolate melting wafers: For drizzling white chocolate sweetness and contrast.
- Red sanding sugar: Adds sparkling color and subtle crunch.
- Green sanding sugar: Complements red sugar with festive hues and texture.
- â…“ cup powdered sugar: A light dusting can enhance cookies or marshmallows visually and flavor-wise.
- ¼ cup red and green M&Ms: Additional candies for garnish or sprinkling.
- Mini marshmallows: Extra soft pieces for piling or decorating clusters.
- Raspberries: Fresh, tart berries give a juicy pop and color contrast.
- Strawberries: Their natural sweetness and red color fit perfectly on a Christmas board.
- Green grapes: Provide a crisp, refreshing bite that refreshes the palate.
- Cheese slices (Cheddar or Mozzarella): Offer creamy, savory balance to the sweeter elements.
How to Make Christmas Snack Board Recipe
Step 1: Arrange Your Base
Start with a large wooden or marble board that will accommodate a generous spread. Lay down clusters of different types of pretzels and Rice Chex cereal as the salty, crunchy foundation. These bite-sized pieces will give your board life and texture to invite digging in.
Step 2: Add Sweet Treats
Place the sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses evenly across the board. These sweet stars will catch the eye and create a rhythm for the other candies and chocolates. Scatter red and green M&Ms and mini red M&Ms to bring festive bursts of color throughout the board.
Step 3: Incorporate Marshmallows and Candy Eyeballs
Fill in the gaps with mini and regular marshmallows, softening the overall texture profile. Add candy eyeballs sporadically; they bring a quirky, playful surprise that guests will love.
Step 4: Melt and Drizzle Chocolates
Gently melt the brown and white chocolate wafers in separate bowls, then use a fork or spoon to drizzle over cookie clusters, pretzel rods, and marshmallow mounds. This not only adds delicious flavors but also creates beautiful streaks and patterns that feel extra special.
Step 5: Garnish with Sugar and Fresh Fruit
Sprinkle red and green sanding sugar on select spots to add sparkle. Fresh raspberries, strawberries, and green grapes should be nestled thoughtfully, offering refreshing fruity notes that balance the sweetness and saltiness of the snacks.
How to Serve Christmas Snack Board Recipe
Garnishes
A great Christmas Snack Board Recipe shines with thoughtful garnishes. Consider adding a light dusting of powdered sugar to the cookies to mimic snowy magic. Fresh mint leaves can add a pop of green and an aromatic touch. Little cinnamon sticks or sprigs of rosemary bring in a cozy holiday scent that enhances the experience.
Side Dishes
This snack board is fantastic as a stand-alone centerpiece, but pairing it with warm cider or a hot chocolate station ups the comfort factor. You might also offer small bowls of mixed nuts or a selection of holiday-themed dips such as peppermint cream cheese or cranberry salsa to keep the spread dynamic.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation matters for the Christmas Snack Board Recipe! Use different sized bowls and ramekins to hold marshmallows or candies. For a rustic feel, serve on a wooden plank with miniature chalkboard signs labeling each item. Tie festive ribbons around jars or bowls to coordinate with your holiday décor, inviting guests to a truly special treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3 days to preserve freshness and crispness. Keep moist ingredients like strawberries and grapes separate until ready to serve to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
While not ideal for freezing assembled boards, you can freeze individual items like the cookie or pretzel components. Wrap well and freeze for up to a month, thawing fully before adding fresh garnishes and assembling your snack board anew.
Reheating
Reheating is generally not necessary or recommended for this snack board since it’s a chilled and room temperature spread. If you want to melt chocolate again, do so gently in a microwave or double boiler and drizzle fresh before serving.
FAQs
Can I make the Christmas Snack Board Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Swap out non-vegan candies and chocolates for plant-based alternatives, and ensure marshmallows are vegan as well. Using dairy-free cheeses will also make the board fully vegan-friendly without losing flavor or texture.
How far in advance can I prepare the board?
You can assemble most of the board a few hours ahead of your event, but hold off on fresh fruit and garnishes until close to serving time to keep everything fresh and vibrant.
What if I don’t like peppermint?
You can easily substitute peppermint Hershey Kisses with other favorite chocolates or increase the quantity of cookies. The key is keeping a good balance of crunch and sweetness to maintain the festive feel.
Can I customize this for other holidays?
Definitely! Simply swap red and green candies for colors that match your holiday or theme, and choose ornaments or garnishes accordingly to create a personalized snack board experience.
What drinks pair best with this snack board?
Warm beverages like holiday spiced cider, hot chocolate, or even festive cocktails complement the sweet and salty flavors exquisitely. For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water with citrus or cranberry gives a refreshing contrast.
Final Thoughts
Creating and sharing this Christmas Snack Board Recipe is a joyful way to celebrate the season with loved ones. The mix of colors, textures, and flavors is guaranteed to brighten any gathering and spark smiles. Give it a go, and watch it become your go-to holiday treat that everyone asks for year after year!
Print
Christmas Snack Board Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the festive season with this colorful and fun Christmas Snack Board, featuring a delightful assortment of sweet and salty treats perfect for sharing. This easy-to-assemble snack platter combines sugar cookies, pretzels, M&Ms, chocolate, marshmallows, and fresh fruits to create an inviting holiday centerpiece that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Cookies & Candy
- 20 sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses
- 20 red and green M&Ms
- 15 mini red M&Ms
- ¼ cup red and green M&Ms
- 30 candy eyeballs
Pretzels
- 20 square pretzels
- 30 straight mini pretzel rods
- 2 cups square pretzels
Cereals & Marshmallows
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- Extra mini marshmallows for garnish
Chocolate Wafers & Sugars
- â…“ cup brown chocolate melting wafers
- ¾ cup white chocolate melting wafers
- Red sanding sugar
- Green sanding sugar
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
Fresh Fruits & Cheese
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Green grapes
- Cheese slices (Cheddar or Mozzarella preferred)
Instructions
- Prepare Chocolate Melts: Melt the brown and white chocolate wafers separately in microwave-safe bowls, heating in 20-second intervals and stirring until smooth. Use these for dipping and drizzling onto snacks.
- Decorate Pretzels: Dip mini pretzel rods into the melted brown or white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with red or green sanding sugar for a festive touch. Let them set on parchment paper.
- Assemble Sweet and Salty Mix: In a large bowl, gently combine Rice Chex cereal, 2 cups mini marshmallows, and 2 cups square pretzels. Drizzle with some melted white chocolate and toss lightly to coat.
- Build the Snack Board: Arrange sugar cookies or peppermint Hershey Kisses, decorated pretzels, candy eyeballs, M&Ms, the cereal mix, and fresh fruits like raspberries, strawberries, and green grapes artistically on a large serving board.
- Add Cheese and Final Touches: Place slices of cheddar or mozzarella cheese around the board. Scatter extra mini marshmallows and powdered sugar lightly over the fruits and snacks for a snow-like effect.
- Serve and Enjoy: Present your Christmas Snack Board at room temperature, ensuring chocolates are set but soft enough to enjoy. Perfect for holiday gatherings of around 12 people.
Notes
- Use peppermint Hershey Kisses as a tasty alternative to sugar cookies for a minty flavor.
- Adjust the quantity of fresh fruits based on availability and personal preference.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute pretzels with gluten-free varieties or include additional fruits and cheeses.
- Prepare the chocolate melts carefully to avoid burning; stirring frequently ensures smoothness.
- This snack board can be assembled a few hours in advance; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate if preparing early.
