Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Featured in: Classic American Desserts

This festive platter combines mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses with crackers, pretzels, and fresh vegetables to create a playful reindeer face. The arrangement uses pretzel twists for antlers, olives for eyes, and red bell pepper for the nose, all set on a large round base. Perfect for holiday parties or family gatherings, the platter offers an easy, no-cook presentation that brings a fun and colorful centerpiece to the table. Vegetables add a fresh garnish and balance to the savory cheeses, making it appealing to both kids and adults.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:16:00 GMT
Warm, inviting Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter featuring vibrant red pepper nose and salty pretzel antlers. Save
Warm, inviting Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter featuring vibrant red pepper nose and salty pretzel antlers. | epicurestates.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 delights my family during the holidays & sparks creativity with the kids helping to arrange the snacks.

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.
Save
| epicurestates.com

This platter is a holiday favorite and honestly brings everyone together from the youngest to the oldest in the family.

Notes

Serve with hummus or ranch dip on the side to enhance flavors and have fun with dipping.

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.

Festive Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter, a close-up showcasing cheese, crackers, and olives arranged playfully. Save
Festive Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter, a close-up showcasing cheese, crackers, and olives arranged playfully. | epicurestates.com

This cheesy reindeer face platter is a perfect charming appetizer to brighten holiday gatherings.

Recipe FAQs

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda are ideal for their colors and textures, providing visual appeal and complementary flavors.

Can I substitute crackers for dietary needs?

Yes, gluten-free crackers can be used to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the platter’s structure.

How do I assemble the reindeer antlers?

Pretzel twists or halved breadsticks placed at the top of the face mimic antlers and add a crunchy texture.

What vegetable garnishes enhance the design?

Red bell pepper rounds serve as the nose and cheeks, while cucumber and carrot slices decorate the edges for added color.

Is this platter suitable for kids’ parties?

Absolutely, it’s a fun and engaging way for children to enjoy a variety of flavors and shapes during celebrations.

How long can the platter be stored before serving?

For best freshness, assemble shortly before serving and keep refrigerated if preparing in advance.

Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Whimsical cheese and snack platter shaped like a reindeer face, perfect for festive occasions and family fun.

Prep duration
20 min
0
Complete duration
20 min


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 8 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-free

Components

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 for nose and cheeks
02 8 black olives, sliced for eyes
03 1 small cucumber, sliced
04 1 carrot, sliced into rounds and sticks

Other

01 2 tablespoons cream cheese for adhering features

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare serving base: Select a large, round platter to serve as the base.

Phase 02

Form the face shape: Arrange cheddar cheese slices in an oval shape at the platter’s center to create the face outline.

Phase 03

Add cheeks: Place mozzarella slices symmetrically on each side of the face for cheeks.

Phase 04

Create chin area: Position gouda cheese cubes around the bottom edge to form the chin.

Phase 05

Attach antlers: Place two pretzel twists or halved breadsticks at the top to simulate antlers.

Phase 06

Add ears: Set two round crackers above the face to represent ears.

Phase 07

Form eyes: Use sliced black olives adhered with cream cheese to create eyes.

Phase 08

Add nose: Place a red bell pepper round at the center for the nose, securing it with cream cheese if necessary.

Phase 09

Decorate with vegetables: Arrange cucumber and carrot slices around the face or along the border for added decoration.

Phase 10

Complete platter: Fill in remaining spaces with additional vegetables or crackers and serve immediately.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and gluten.
  • May contain soy depending on cracker brand.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are offered as a general guide and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 180
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Protein: 8 g