Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Featured in: Cozy Snack Plates

This festive platter features a delightful assortment of mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses artfully arranged to resemble a reindeer's face. Complementary crackers, pretzel twists, and vegetables like red bell pepper rounds and olives bring color and charm to the presentation. Cream cheese acts as an adhesive to hold the decorative elements together, making it an easy, no-cook centerpiece perfect for holiday celebrations. Ideal for sharing at family gatherings or kids' parties, it combines playful design with simple, fresh ingredients.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:44:00 GMT
Festive cheesy reindeer face platter with cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses, a holiday appetizer. Pin This
Festive cheesy reindeer face platter with cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses, a holiday appetizer. | messli.com

A whimsical holiday platter featuring a variety of cheeses and snacks arranged to resemble a reindeers face—a fun festive treat perfect for kids parties or family gatherings.

This platter always brings smiles and joy whenever I prepare it for family celebrations.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 200 g mild cheddar cheese sliced, 150 g mozzarella cheese sliced, 100 g gouda cheese cubed
  • Crackers & Bread: 20 round whole wheat crackers, 8 pretzel twists (for antlers), 6 breadsticks halved
  • Vegetables & Garnishes: 1 small red bell pepper cut into rounds (for nose and cheeks), 8 black olives sliced (for eyes), 1 small cucumber sliced, 1 carrot sliced into rounds and sticks
  • Other: 2 tablespoons cream cheese (for gluing features)

Instructions

Step 1:
Select a large round platter as your base.
Step 2:
Arrange the cheddar cheese slices in an oval shape at the center to form the reindeers face.
Step 3:
Place mozzarella slices on each side of the face for cheeks.
Step 4:
Use gouda cubes around the bottom edge for the chin.
Step 5:
Position two pretzel twists or breadstick halves at the top of the head to create antlers.
Step 6:
Place two round crackers above the face as ears.
Step 7:
Adhere olive slices with a little cream cheese to form eyes.
Step 8:
Add a red bell pepper round for the nose securing with cream cheese if needed.
Step 9:
Use cucumber and carrot slices for added decoration around the face or as a border.
Step 10:
Add any additional veggies or crackers to fill out the platter and serve immediately.
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We always enjoy putting this platter together as a family activity especially during the holidays.

Notes

Serve with hummus or ranch dip on the side. Get kids involved in arranging the platter for extra fun.

Required Tools

Large serving platter, small knife, spreading knife or small spoon

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese), Wheat (crackers breadsticks), Gluten (pretzels breadsticks crackers). May contain Soy (depending on cracker brand). Double-check all packaged ingredient labels for allergens.

A vibrant close-up of the fun and cheesy reindeer face platter, with red pepper nose and olive eyes. Pin This
A vibrant close-up of the fun and cheesy reindeer face platter, with red pepper nose and olive eyes. | messli.com

This platter comes together quickly making it an ideal festive appetizer for any gathering.

Recipe Q&A

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda are recommended for their flavors and textures, but you can vary cheeses for color and taste.

How do pretzel twists enhance the design?

Pretzel twists serve as antlers, adding a crunchy and decorative element to complete the reindeer face.

Can this platter accommodate dietary restrictions?

Gluten-free crackers can replace regular ones, and selecting suitable cheeses helps tailor to dietary needs, such as vegetarian preferences.

How long does it take to prepare this platter?

Preparation takes around 20 minutes with no cooking required, making it a quick yet festive snack option.

What is the best way to serve this platter?

Serve immediately on a large round platter; accompaniments like hummus or ranch dip pair well alongside.

How can kids get involved with assembling this platter?

Children can help arrange the cheeses, veggies, and crackers, turning the process into a fun, creative activity.

Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

A whimsical holiday platter with cheeses and snacks shaped into a festive reindeer face for parties.

Prep Needed
20 minutes
Time to Cook
1 minutes
Overall Time
21 minutes
Created by Messli Tessa Marlow


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 8 Portions

Dietary Notes Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Cheeses

01 7 oz mild cheddar cheese, sliced
02 5.3 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
03 3.5 oz gouda cheese, cubed

Crackers & Bread

01 20 round whole wheat crackers
02 8 pretzel twists (for antlers)
03 6 breadsticks, halved

Vegetables & Garnishes

01 1 small red bell pepper, cut into rounds
02 8 black olives, sliced
03 1 small cucumber, sliced
04 1 carrot, sliced into rounds and sticks

Other

01 2 tablespoons cream cheese

Steps

Step 01

Prepare Platter Base: Select a large, round serving platter as your foundation.

Step 02

Create Face Outline: Arrange the cheddar cheese slices in an oval shape at the center to form the face.

Step 03

Form Cheeks: Place mozzarella slices on each side of the face to represent cheeks.

Step 04

Add Chin: Distribute gouda cubes along the bottom edge to create the chin area.

Step 05

Construct Antlers: Position two pretzel twists or breadstick halves atop the head to simulate antlers.

Step 06

Place Ears: Set two round crackers above the face to serve as ears.

Step 07

Attach Eyes: Adhere black olive slices with small amounts of cream cheese to form eyes.

Step 08

Secure Nose: Place a red bell pepper round for the nose, securing it with cream cheese if necessary.

Step 09

Add Decorative Vegetables: Arrange cucumber and carrot slices around the face or border for embellishment.

Step 10

Complete and Serve: Fill remaining spaces with additional veggies or crackers and serve immediately.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large serving platter
  • Small knife
  • Spreading knife or small spoon

Allergy Details

Be sure to check each ingredient for allergens and consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and gluten.
  • May contain soy depending on cracker brand.

Nutrition Breakdown (per portion)

For general guidelines only. Not meant to provide medical or dietary diagnosis.
  • Caloric Value: 180
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 8 g