Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Featured in: Fresh Everyday Bowls

This holiday platter brings together a colorful mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses, paired with crackers, pretzels, and fresh vegetables. Arranged creatively to resemble a reindeer's face, it’s a playful and easy way to delight kids and guests alike. The assortment offers diverse textures and flavors, enhanced by creamy cheese accents used to hold the features in place. Ideal for quick assembly and festive occasions.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:05:00 GMT
Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter: a festive spread with cheddar, mozzarella, and pretzel antlers, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter: a festive spread with cheddar, mozzarella, and pretzel antlers, ready to enjoy. | citrushearth.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 was always a hit at our family gatherings and made holiday snacking extra special and interactive for the children.

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

Select base:
Select a large, round platter as your base.
Form face:
Arrange the cheddar cheese slices in an oval shape at the center to form the reindeers face.
Add cheeks:
Place mozzarella slices on each side of the face for cheeks.
Shape chin:
Use gouda cubes around the bottom edge for the chin.
Create antlers:
Position two pretzel twists or breadstick halves at the top of the head to create antlers.
Add ears:
Place two round crackers above the face as ears.
Form eyes:
Adhere olive slices with a little cream cheese to form eyes.
Add nose:
Add a red bell pepper round for the nose, securing with cream cheese if needed.
Decorate:
Use cucumber and carrot slices for added decoration around the face or as a border.
Fill platter:
Add any additional veggies or crackers to fill out the platter and serve immediately.
Christmas-themed Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter, complete with a red pepper nose and olive eyes for parties. Save to Pinterest
Christmas-themed Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter, complete with a red pepper nose and olive eyes for parties. | citrushearth.com

Sharing this platter always brings smiles and playful moments as kids help assemble the reindeer face each year.

Notes

Use different cheeses for color variation Substitute gluten-free crackers if needed 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

Nutritional Information

Calories 180 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 14 g Protein 8 g per serving

Vibrant Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter appetizer, featuring gouda, crackers, and a creamy cream cheese base. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter appetizer, featuring gouda, crackers, and a creamy cream cheese base. | citrushearth.com

This cheesy reindeer face platter adds charm and fun to holiday parties and is easy to customize for all tastes.

Recipe FAQs

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda provide contrasting textures and colors that enhance the presentation and taste.

Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary needs?

Gluten-free crackers can replace wheat-based options, and you may vary cheeses to accommodate lactose sensitivities.

How do I keep the features from falling apart?

Use small amounts of cream cheese to adhere olive slices and bell pepper rounds securely to the cheeses.

What vegetables add the best decoration?

Red bell pepper rounds, cucumber slices, carrots, and black olives add vibrant color and shape to mimic facial features.

Is this platter suitable for children’s parties?

Yes, its playful design and mild flavors make it popular with kids and a fun activity to help assemble together.

Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

A festive board combining cheeses, crackers, and veggies shaped like a reindeer's face for fun gatherings.

Prep duration
20 minutes
Time to cook
1 minutes
Overall time
21 minutes
Created by Elise Porter


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 8 Number of servings

Dietary details Meat-Free

What Goes In

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, sliced 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

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare serving base: Select a large, round serving platter as the foundation for assembly.

Step 02

Form reindeer's face: Arrange cheddar cheese slices centrally in an oval to represent the face shape.

Step 03

Add cheeks: Place mozzarella slices on each side of the cheddar oval to create cheeks.

Step 04

Define chin: Position gouda cheese cubes along the bottom edge to form the chin area.

Step 05

Create antlers: Place two pretzel twists or halved breadsticks atop the face to simulate antlers.

Step 06

Add ears: Set two round crackers above the face as ears.

Step 07

Form eyes: Attach olive slices using a small amount of cream cheese to shape the eyes.

Step 08

Attach nose: Place a red bell pepper round in the center below the eyes, securing with cream cheese as needed.

Step 09

Decorate with vegetables: Arrange cucumber and carrot slices around the face or as a border for decorative effect.

Step 10

Complete and serve: Fill any empty spaces with additional vegetables or crackers and serve without delay.

What You’ll Need

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

Allergy details

Double-check ingredients for allergens; talk with your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and gluten.
  • May contain soy depending on product brands.

Nutrition info (for each serving)

Nutrition data is for reference and isn’t meant as health advice.
  • Calorie count: 180
  • Fat content: 10 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 14 grams
  • Protein amount: 8 grams