Save on Pinterest I'll never forget the year my niece came running into the kitchen, eyes wide with wonder, asking if we could make Santa himself out of food. That moment sparked the creation of this Santa's Beard and Hat Board—a playful, elegant centerpiece that transforms a simple charcuterie board into pure holiday magic. Now, every December, I find myself arranging creamy white cheeses and vibrant cured meats with the same childlike joy, watching guests' faces light up when they realize they're not just eating appetizers, they're celebrating with Santa himself.
I remember standing in my kitchen two years ago, board in hand, as my partner burst out laughing seeing the finished Santa staring back at us. His genuine delight reminded me that the holidays aren't about perfection—they're about creating moments of pure joy. Since then, this board has become our signature, the one thing people ask us to bring to every gathering.
Ingredients
- Brie cheese, sliced (200 g): The foundation of Santa's fluffy beard—its creamy texture mimics real whiskers beautifully. Let it sit out for ten minutes before slicing so it cuts cleanly without crumbling.
- Goat cheese, crumbled (200 g): Adds a tangy note and textural contrast that keeps each bite interesting. The slight acidity brightens the richness of the other cheeses.
- White cheddar, cubed (150 g): Firm and slightly sharp, these little golden-white cubes nestle perfectly between softer cheeses, creating a beard with real substance.
- Mozzarella balls, halved (150 g): These mild, stretchy gems add playful visual interest and a creamy mouthfeel. Their round shape naturally suggests a fluffy beard.
- Cream cheese, shaped into small balls (100 g): A sneaky touch that adds creaminess and acts like the hidden treasure in Santa's beard—people always ask what that extra cheese is.
- Assorted white crackers (200 g): The structural backbone of your beard. Mix rice crackers, water crackers, and any delicate white varieties you find—they should frame the cheeses like a border.
- Sliced Genoa salami (150 g): Deep, peppery, and the workhorse of the red hat. Layer these in overlapping waves for that rich red foundation.
- Prosciutto, rolled (100 g): Delicate and salty, these rolled ribbons add elegance to the hat. They're worth the slightly higher price because they drape beautifully.
- Pepperoni slices (100 g): Bring the bold red color and that savory, slightly spicy kick that makes people keep reaching for more hat pieces.
- Roasted red bell peppers, sliced into strips (2 large): If you don't have jarred ones, roast them yourself—they add brightness and a vegetarian-friendly pop of color that balances the meats.
- Cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers (1 cup): These cluster at the hat's tip like little ornaments, and they're the detail that makes guests say 'oh, how clever.'
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: Not just decoration—they're edible, fragrant, and they outline Santa with an herbal charm that sparkling wines love to pair with.
- Black olive (1): The pom-pom. One single olive, placed with intention, transforms the whole board into unmistakable Santa.
Instructions
- Imagine Santa on Your Board:
- Before you place a single ingredient, take a moment to envision where Santa will sit. Use a piece of chalk or a small template to lightly outline a triangle at the top for his jolly red hat, and a rounded, generous bottom for his magnificent snowy beard. This roadmap keeps you confident and playful as you build.
- Create the Magnificent Beard:
- Start filling that bottom section like you're crafting something precious. Arrange the brie slices in soft waves, let goat cheese crumbles fill the gaps like powder snow, scatter cheddar cubes for texture, and tuck mozzarella halves where they catch the light. These cheeses should look abundant and inviting—this is Santa's most distinguished feature, after all. Nestle those cream cheese balls throughout like hidden gems.
- Frame the Beard with Crackers:
- Now comes the architectural moment. Lay down rows of white crackers at the base and edges of your beard, creating a natural border that both contains and celebrates the cheeses. This is where the board gets its structure and where guests know exactly where to start building their bites.
- Build Santa's Red Hat with Drama:
- This is your moment to layer and overlap with abandon. Arrange salami and pepperoni slices in the triangle, letting them cascade over each other like felt on a holiday stocking. Add rolled prosciutto for elegance and strips of roasted red pepper for brightness. The overlapping matters—it creates depth and richness that makes the hat look absolutely real.
- Crown It with Joy:
- Place cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers along the hat's tip and edges, like ornaments adorning Santa's finest accessory. These jewel-toned rounds are the finishing touch that catches every eye.
- Add the Herbal Details and Pom-Pom:
- Tuck rosemary sprigs around the perimeter of both the hat and beard—they frame the board with festive fragrance and look like holly garnish from a Christmas postcard. Finally, place that single black olive at the very tip of the hat. This tiny detail transforms everything into unmistakable Santa, and guests will delight in spotting it.
- Serve with Presence:
- Step back and admire what you've created before presenting it to your gathering. Serve immediately while everything is fresh and chilled, and replenish as needed. Watch people's faces—that's the real reward.
Save on Pinterest Last year, I watched my grandmother—who's seen eighty-some holiday seasons—pick up a photo of this board and smile in a way that made my heart full. She said it reminded her of the simple magic she always tried to create in the kitchen. In that moment, I understood that this isn't really about cheese and crackers. It's about creating edible memories that say, 'I cared enough to be playful with you.'
Building Flavor Balance
The genius of this board lives in its balance of opposing elements. Creamy against crispy, tangy against salty, soft against firm. Every bite should tell a story—goat cheese meeting pepperoni, brie cushioning a cracker, a tomato adding brightness. Think of it less as a collection of ingredients and more as a conversation between flavors that have been waiting to meet on the same board.
Making It Yours
This is where your kitchen intuition matters most. If you love blue cheese, swap some goat cheese for a crumbly blue (it still works in the beard). Prefer different cured meats? Your local charcuterie shop has gems waiting to be discovered. This board is a template, not a rulebook. The magic happens when you choose ingredients that make you excited to arrange them.
Vegetarian & Dietary Variations
The beard is naturally vegetarian—that creamy, abundant white section is your strength. For the hat, lean into roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, red Leicester cheese, and bright red radish slices layered for drama. Add pomegranate arils if you can find them in winter—they add jewel-like color and a burst of tartness that surprises in the best way. Your vegetarian guests will see this as a celebration created just for their preferences, not an afterthought.
- Consider adding marcona almonds or candied walnuts to add crunch and keep everyone satisfied at the table.
- A spread of red pepper hummus or roasted garlic spread tucked to the side gives crackers an extra flavor dimension without disrupting Santa's appearance.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties—any mild, creamy cheese works for the beard, so this is your chance to support local creameries.
Save on Pinterest Every time you build this board, you're not just preparing food—you're crafting a moment that people will remember long after the last cracker is gone. That's the real recipe here.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I make this board vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the cured meats and replace them with roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, and red cheeses like Red Leicester for similar color and texture.
- → What cheeses are used for the beard?
The beard features brie, goat cheese, white cheddar, mozzarella balls, and optionally cream cheese for added texture and creaminess.
- → How should the board be arranged?
Outline a triangular section for the hat with cured meats and peppers, and a rounded bottom for the beard using white cheeses and crackers, garnished with rosemary sprigs and a black olive pom-pom.
- → Are there suggestions for pairing beverages?
Light sparkling wines or cranberry spritzers complement the flavors and festive feel of the board well.
- → Can I use gluten-free crackers?
Yes, swapping in your favorite gluten-free crackers is a great option to accommodate dietary needs.