Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Featured in: Cozy Breads & Sides

This delightful holiday platter combines mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses arranged creatively to resemble a reindeer face. Complemented with pretzel twists for antlers, crackers for ears, and colorful vegetable accents like red bell pepper, olives, cucumber, and carrot, it brings a festive touch to any celebration. Easy to assemble with no cooking required, this crowd-pleaser adds charm and variety, perfect for family parties or kids’ events. Include cream cheese to hold features in place and serve fresh for best results.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:12:00 GMT
Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter: a festive spread of cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheese arranged with olives and pepper. Save
Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter: a festive spread of cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheese arranged with olives and pepper. | amberladle.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 has always been a hit at our holiday parties especially with the kids who love helping 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

Select Platter:
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.
Finish:
Add any additional veggies or crackers to fill out the platter and serve immediately.
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| amberladle.com

This cheese platter always brings a smile and fond memories of past holidays shared with family and friends.

Notes

Serve with hummus or ranch dip on the side for extra flavor and encourage kids to help arrange the platter for a fun activity.

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.

This Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter features a whimsical holiday design with crackers, cheese, and veggie accents. Save
This Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter features a whimsical holiday design with crackers, cheese, and veggie accents. | amberladle.com

This festive platter is quick to assemble and guaranteed to brighten up any holiday gathering.

Recipe FAQs

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda offer a nice mix of flavors and textures, plus appealing colors that enhance the festive look.

How can I secure the toppings on the platter?

Use cream cheese as a gentle adhesive to keep olive slices and red bell pepper rounds firmly positioned.

Are there substitutions for the pretzel antlers?

Yes, breadstick halves work well as alternatives, maintaining the shape and crunch for the antlers.

Can I prepare the platter in advance?

It’s best assembled shortly before serving to keep crackers crisp and vegetables fresh, preserving the visual appeal.

What dips complement this platter?

Hummus, ranch dressing, or a herbed cream cheese dip pair beautifully with the assortment of cheeses and snacks.

Is this platter suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, it features vegetarian-friendly ingredients including various cheeses, vegetables, and crackers.

Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

A fun holiday platter featuring assorted cheeses and snacks shaped into a reindeer face.

Prep time
20 min
0
Overall time
20 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 8 Serving size

Diet preferences Meat-free

What you 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
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

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare serving base: Select a large, round platter to arrange all components.

Step 02

Form the reindeer's face: Arrange cheddar cheese slices in an oval shape at the center of the platter.

Step 03

Position the cheeks: Place mozzarella cheese slices on each side of the cheddar oval to represent the cheeks.

Step 04

Create the chin: Surround the bottom edge of the face with gouda cheese cubes.

Step 05

Assemble antlers: Place two pretzel twists or halved breadsticks atop the oval to mimic antlers.

Step 06

Add ears: Position two round crackers above the face to serve as ears.

Step 07

Form eyes: Use cream cheese to adhere black olive slices on the face to create eyes.

Step 08

Attach nose: Place a red bell pepper round at the center for the nose, securing with cream cheese as needed.

Step 09

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

Step 10

Fill and serve: Add remaining vegetables or crackers to fill out the platter and serve promptly.

Equipment needed

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

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and gluten.
  • Possible soy allergen depending on cracker brand.

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 180
  • Fat content: 10 g
  • Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein amount: 8 g