There’s nothing like the comforting warmth and taste of a steaming mug of hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Take your hot chocolate game to the next level with a Hot Chocolate Grazing Board, also known as a Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board!
It’s filled with all the sweets, chocolate, and everything you need to put in your hot cocoa!
Hot Chocolate Grazing Board | Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
Let it snow. Let it snow. LET IT SNOW! For real, for real. Snow is no joke; as I get older, I enjoy it less and less each year.
In my humble opinion, snow can arrive the week of Christmas for a perfect Norman Rockwell snowcapped postcard and then disappear shortly thereafter.
For me, the day after Christmas should be Spring.
Can I get an amen? But there are those moments when I wake up to a freshly snow-covered landscape, and the beauty of the snow-blanketed scenery makes me forget about the drawbacks of living in the Great Lake state.
It’s a double-edged sword because I know sooner or later I’ll have to pull on my boots, bundle up as best I can, grab the snow shovel, and get to work removing the white stuff and hating every moment of my one-man snow removal crew.
After a few hours spent shoveling snow, thawing out, and warming up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate sounds pretty good to me.
Be sure to check out our other grazing boards:
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Board
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe + Peppermint Board
Hot Cocoa Board
Although we are big entertainers, there are those times when I love creating something just for the two of us.
I put together this fun and tasty Holiday Hot Chocolate Dessert Board loaded with lots of my lover girl’s favorite treats (and a few of mine).
We love nibbling on sweet and delicious goodies while enjoying some homemade hot chocolate and quality downtime together.
I actually made this for our couple’s movie night. How “sweet” of me, right?
We both love chocolate, so having lots of chocolate-drenched sweets is a must!
And if you’ve never had gingersnaps (they’re perfect for dipping in your hot chocolate), then let me be the first to tell it you are missing out.
The same goes for the yogurt-covered pretzels. Too good!
What You Will Need
Milk. Here you can use whatever kind of milk you like. Cow’s milk, Coconut, Cashew, or Almond. Grab whatever makes you feel good. I used equal parts whole cow’s milk and heavy cream for this recipe.
Cocoa Powder. I love using Ghirardelli’s Chocolate & Cocoa – Sweet Ground Powder. It’s an all-around great blend for making just about anything that calls for cocoa powder better. But use whatever you happen to have on hand.
Sugar. Granulated sugar works for this recipe. I also love using superfine sugar because it dissolves faster. I also use light brown sugar from time to time, and it gives the hot chocolate a richer flavor profile.
Ground Cinnamon. A little bit of ground cinnamon adds a touch of spice that screams fall and winter.
Pure Vanilla Extract. Adding a bit of pure vanilla extract ups the ante when it comes to making hot chocolate, but be wary; once you try it, it’ll be hard to go back. You’ve been warned.
Making hot chocolate
Is it me, or does the ritualistic process of making homemade hot chocolate hold a special place in one’s heart?
As a kid, I watched my mom make hot chocolate using shaved chocolate, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and whole vitamin D cow’s milk, and it was like some kind of delicious magic taking place right before my eyes.
And then when she sat that big mug of hot chocolate in front of me, it was the best thing ever! The steam rising up to meet my nose smelled like a kind of heaven, and it was even better when she added a couple of big marshmallows.
Now, I love doing the same for my own family because carrying on the hot chocolate tradition is, quite honestly, the best thing about winter! So, go ahead, Mother Nature, bring on the snow. As long as I have lots of hot chocolate to warm me up, I think I’ll be alright.
You Will Love This Holiday Hot Chocolate Board Because:
- Fun
- Whimsical
- Indulgent
- Easy To Put Together
- Has Lots Of Chocolate Goodies
- Is Perfect For A Date Night In Or For Larger Crowds
Homemade Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3-4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa (milk chocolate or dark)
- 1/3 cup superfine or granulated sugar (or light brown sugar for a richer taste)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toppings
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate Syrup
- Gingerbread Man Sprinkles
Directions:
- Place a stockpot with the milk and heavy cream over med-high heat. When the milk begins to steam, don’t let the milk come to a boil, whisk in the unsweetened cocoa, sugar, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
- Continue to whisk until the ingredients are completely dissolved into the milk and heavy cream mixture.
- Remove the stockpot from the heat. Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows as you want and drape with drizzles of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate syrup.
- Add the gingerbread man sprinkles.
- Serve.
You can also check out our other hot chocolate recipes:
Rye + RumChata Hot Chocolate Cocktail with Snicker Marshmallows {adult version}
Hot Chocolate Recipe | The Han Coco + Meteor Meringue
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Hot Chocolate
What You Need To Make a Hot Chocolate Grazing Board
We shopped at Home Goods for all these sweet treats, but you can find them at your grocery this time of the year. You can also shop online with the links listed below.
- Your Favorite Hot Chocolate (or grab this mix here)
- White Chocolate Pretzel Rods
- Marshmallow Toppers Fancy Candy Sprinkles
- Marshmallow Toppers Magical Snowman
- Holiday Ginger Snaps
- Hamlet Belgian Chocolates 3 Pieces
- White Chocolate Snowflake Pretzels
- Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies
- Gift Box Christmas Chocolates
- White & Dark Chocolate Swirl Gourmet Popcorn
- Gingerbread Men Sprinkles
Find more Christmas ideas below:
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe + Peppermint Board
Cheese Board Idea | Cheese + Charcuterie Board
Chocolate Snowman Winter Board + Snowman Shots Made With White Chocolate Liqueur
Peppermint Drink For Kids + Adults
Our 10 Tried + True Last-Minute Entertaining Tips
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3-4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa milk chocolate or dark
- 1/3 cup superfine or granulated sugar or light brown sugar for a richer taste
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Hot Chocolate Toppings
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate Syrup
- Gingerbread Man Sprinkles
Instructions
- Place a stockpot with the milk and heavy cream over med-high heat. When the milk begins to steam, don't let the milk come to a boil, whisk in the unsweetened cocoa, sugar, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
- Continue to whisk until the ingredients are completely dissolved into the milk and heavy cream mixture.
- Remove the stockpot from the heat. Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows as you want and drape with drizzles of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate syrup.
- Add the gingerbread man sprinkles.
- Serve.
Southern Home Express says
Wow! This is such a beautiful, festive charcuterie board overflowing with yumminess! It’s totally party-worthy.
T Worthey says
Thank you, so much, Debby!!
Debbie says
I totally am going to do this for this Christmas! I’ve been looking for a good hot chocolate recipe and I think i just found it! The Charcuterie Board is darling. Thanks so much for sharing!