Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A Santa Cheese Platter is the perfect centrepiece for holiday gatherings—whimsical, festive, and surprisingly easy to assemble. With a clever arrangement of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and crackers, you can transform simple ingredients into a charming Santa face that brings instant cheer to any Christmas celebration. Not only does it make a beautiful presentation, but it also offers a wonderful mix of flavours, from creamy cheeses to sweet fruit and savoury meats. I once substituted the usual brie for a round goat cheese wheel, and the tangy flavour paired beautifully with fresh berries while still creating the perfect round “Santa face.” Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or looking for a fun appetiser to bring to a party, this platter is guaranteed to spark smiles and warm holiday spirit.
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Santa Cheese Platter: A Fun, Festive Appetiser That Delights Every Holiday Table
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun and festive Santa-shaped cheese platter made with cheeses, fruits, and meats—perfect as a holiday appetizer that’s both eye-catching and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 round Brie cheese (for Santa’s face)
- 1 wedge of red cheddar or cranberry cheese (for Santa’s hat)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack (for Santa’s beard)
- 1 small black olive (for eyes)
- 1 cherry tomato or strawberry (for nose)
- Crackers or breadsticks (for serving)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional, for garnish)
- Optional extras: salami slices, grapes, nuts
Instructions
- Place the round Brie in the center of a large platter to form Santa’s face.
- Position the red cheese wedge on top of the Brie to resemble Santa’s hat.
- Arrange shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack below the Brie to create a fluffy beard.
- Use two small pieces of black olive to form the eyes.
- Place a cherry tomato or strawberry in the center for Santa’s nose.
- Arrange crackers, breadsticks, and optional meats or fruits around the platter.
- Garnish with rosemary sprigs for a festive touch.
Notes
- Let cheeses sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
- Swap Brie for cream cheese if preferred.
- Use whipped cream cheese for a softer beard texture.
- Great centerpiece for Christmas parties.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Round wheel of brie
Forms Santa’s face—smooth, creamy, and easy to shape as the central element of the platter.
Sliced strawberries
These create Santa’s red hat and add vibrant colour and fresh sweetness to the presentation.
Mini mozzarella balls
Used to form the trim of Santa’s hat and beard, their mild flavour and soft texture work beautifully.
Black olives
Perfect for Santa’s eyes and buttons, offering a savoury flavour and rich colour contrast.
Cherry tomatoes
These can serve as Santa’s red nose or add extra brightness to the board.
Crackers
Provide texture and serve as edible scoops for cheese; choose a mix of shapes for visual variety.
Fresh rosemary
Adds a festive evergreen touch and enhances the presentation with aromatic greenery.
Sliced salami
Optional, but great for forming Santa’s hat brim or adding savoury flavour to the board.
Directions
Begin by placing the wheel of brie in the centre of your serving board—this will become Santa’s face. Arrange sliced strawberries above the brie, fanning them like overlapping shingles to create Santa’s hat. Add a row of mini mozzarella balls at the base of the strawberry layer to form the hat’s fluffy trim.
Create Santa’s beard by placing more mozzarella balls beneath the brie, allowing them to cascade outward in a rounded shape. For Santa’s eyes, position two black olive slices near the upper half of the brie. Add a cherry tomato or olive half for Santa’s nose. If desired, place slices of salami around the strawberries to form deeper red tones in the hat.
Surround Santa with an assortment of crackers, fruit, rosemary sprigs, and additional cheese or charcuterie. Adjust the facial features as needed to ensure a friendly, balanced expression. Serve immediately or refrigerate lightly until guests arrive.
Equipment needed :
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
Serves 6–10 people as an appetiser.
Preparation time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: 15–20 minutes
Storage/reheating
Refrigerate the assembled platter for up to two hours before serving. Leftover cheese and fruit can be stored separately in airtight containers for two to three days. Crackers should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain crispness. The platter does not require reheating.
Variations and Customizations
Dessert Santa Platter
Replace cheeses with chocolate, marshmallows, and fruit for a sweet holiday treat.
Santa Veggie Platter
Use cauliflower for the beard, red peppers for the hat, and olives for the face.
Spicy Santa Board
Add spicy salami, pepper jack cheese, and hot honey drizzle for grown-up flair.
Kids’ Santa Snack Board
Use mild cheeses, pretzels, berries, and fun shapes for a kid-friendly version.
Santa with Smoked Cheese
Incorporate smoked gouda or cheddar for deeper flavours and colour contrasts.
Mediterranean Santa Board
Use hummus, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and feta for a brighter flavour profile.
High-Protein Santa Platter
Add nuts, cured meats, and hard cheeses to make the board more filling.
Colourful Fruit Santa
Use raspberries and pomegranate seeds for the hat and beard accents.
Mini Santa Boards
Build smaller, personal-size boards for individual servings at parties.
Herb-Forward Santa
Scatter rosemary, thyme, or sage around the edges for an aromatic, festive frame.
FAQs
Can I prepare the Santa Cheese Platter ahead of time?
Yes, assemble up to two hours in advance and refrigerate lightly.
What cheese works best for Santa’s face?
A round brie wheel is ideal, but goat cheese or camembert also work well.
Can I make this without strawberries?
Yes, use raspberries, red grapes, or cherry tomatoes.
Do mozzarella balls have to be used for the beard?
No, cauliflower florets or cubed cheese also work.
Can I make this platter nut-free?
Absolutely—just omit nuts entirely.
What crackers pair best with this board?
Butter crackers, seeded crisps, and baguette slices all complement soft cheeses.
How do I keep the strawberries fresh?
Slice just before assembling and pat dry to prevent moisture.
Can I add dips?
Yes, include small bowls of hummus, jam, or spinach dip around the board.
How can I transport this platter?
Assemble tightly and cover with plastic wrap; add delicate items on arrival.
Can this be served as a meal?
Yes, add charcuterie, nuts, and extra cheeses for a more substantial board.
Conclusion
A Santa Cheese Platter is a fun, festive, and incredibly charming way to celebrate the holiday season. With its playful design, fresh ingredients, and balanced flavours, it becomes both a decorative centrepiece and a delicious appetiser. Whether crafted for family gatherings, Christmas parties, or a cosy evening at home, this platter brings cheer, flavour, and creativity to your holiday table.
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