Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Featured in: Quick Fun Eats

This festive platter combines mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses shaped into a reindeer's face, accented by pretzels as antlers and colorful veggies for detail. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s a delightful centerpiece for kids’ parties or family get-togethers. Arranging crackers, olives, and bell pepper rounds completes the whimsical display. Great for easy entertaining, the platter pairs well with creamy dips and invites creativity in presentation.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:54:00 GMT
Festive cheesy reindeer face platter with cheddar, mozzarella, and pretzel antlers, ready to eat! Save
Festive cheesy reindeer face platter with cheddar, mozzarella, and pretzel antlers, ready to eat! | lickjoke.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.

I have always enjoyed creating fun holiday platters & this reindeer face platter never fails to delight both kids and adults alike.

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.
Close-up of a whimsical cheesy reindeer face platter, perfect holiday snacks for kids to enjoy. Save
Close-up of a whimsical cheesy reindeer face platter, perfect holiday snacks for kids to enjoy. | lickjoke.com

This platter brings joyful family moments as kids and adults gather around to admire and share in the holiday fun.

Notes

Serve with hummus or ranch dip on the side to complement the platter.

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 beautifully arranged cheesy reindeer face, featuring red pepper noses and olives for eyes. Save
A beautifully arranged cheesy reindeer face, featuring red pepper noses and olives for eyes. | lickjoke.com

This cheesy reindeer face platter makes any holiday gathering extra special and can be customized easily for dietary needs.

Recipe Guide

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda provide varied textures and colors that enhance the festive look.

How can I make the antlers stable?

Using pretzel twists or halved breadsticks provides sturdy and edible antlers that hold shape well.

Can I substitute ingredients for dietary needs?

Gluten-free crackers can replace wheat varieties to accommodate gluten sensitivities without altering appearance.

What’s the best way to assemble the face details?

Use cream cheese to gently adhere olive slices for eyes and bell pepper rounds for the nose ensuring elements stay in place.

How should I serve this platter?

Serve immediately on a large round tray, optionally offering dips like hummus or ranch alongside for extra flavor.

Is this suitable for children’s parties?

Absolutely, the playful design and easy-to-eat components make it a hit with kids and encourage interactive arranging.

Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

A festive platter artfully arranged with cheeses, crackers, and veggies for joyful gatherings.

Prep duration
20 min
0
Complete duration
20 min
Created by Hannah Brooks


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 8 Portions

Nutrition guidelines 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
02 8 black olives, sliced
03 1 small cucumber, sliced
04 1 carrot, sliced into rounds and sticks

Other

01 2 tablespoons cream cheese

Method

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

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

Phase 04

Define chin: Position gouda cheese cubes around the lower edge of the oval to form the chin.

Phase 05

Create antlers: Place two pretzel twists or halved breadsticks at the top of the platter to mimic antlers.

Phase 06

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

Phase 07

Attach eyes: Use a small amount of cream cheese to adhere black olive slices onto the face for eyes.

Phase 08

Position nose: Secure a round slice of red bell pepper at the center of the face for the nose, using cream cheese if necessary.

Phase 09

Decorate edges: Arrange cucumber and carrot slices around the face or along the platter edges for garnish.

Phase 10

Finalize presentation: Add any remaining vegetables or crackers to fill out the platter and serve promptly.

Tools needed

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

Allergy details

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and gluten. May contain soy depending on cracker brand. Verify all packaged ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 180
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 8 g