After a family snowball fight or a day filled with sledding, a steaming mug of hot chocolate is the perfect thing to warm you up. This Winter Hot Chocolate Sharing Board is the perfect make-ahead treat.
» You might also like this Simple and Tasty Grinch Punch and Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats.

Sharing boards are a fun way to present food. You can feed a crowd at a party or just nibble on it with the family all afternoon long. For more fun ideas try one or two of these platters.
Make your winter get-togethers super easy with a beautiful platter that you can make with minimal effort.
This hot chocolate board might seem daunting to put together, because of all the choices… and how do you make it pretty? Well, you’ll be happy to know that it’s super simple to put together.
»Sharing boards are so much fun! Try this Christmas Charcuterie Platter and this Bagel & Lox Sharing Board.
What Types of Food to Include
There are so many choices when it comes to what food to include on a winter hot chocolate board. I like to include a variety of at least 6 different items.
By the way, we also like to add an adult beverage to the plan, if it’s not a kid-focused party you’re making this for. The adults will enjoy a Hot Buttered Rum or a Screwball White Russian.
A few choices include:
- Cookies – We like to used Pirouette wafer cookies but also these snowball cookies, chocolate chip or gingerbread cookies.
- Chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks
- Marshmallows – What mug of hot chocolate is complete without them? Mini marshmallows easily fit in mugs but think about different options here. We toasted some on the stovetop to make toasted marshmallows but you can also add homemade marshmallows of different flavors.
- Mini chocolate chips – These melt quickly and add a punch of flavor along with diced up pieces of mint chocolate Andes mints.
- Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses
- Candy canes (whole or crushed)
- Whipped Cream
- Sprinkles

This variety gives a lot of choices for what you can put into your hot chocolate and also gives you a few nibbles on the side, that aren’t meant to be put into the hot chocolate.
You’ll want to include 2-3 types of each item, so guests have options to choose from. This also helps diversify the board and makes it visually appealing.
Be creative. There are many things you can add to the board!
How to Make the Hot Chocolate
The most important item on this board is the hot chocolate. You can use powdered hot chocolate mix to keep it easy, but I recommend making it from scratch. A real milk hot chocolate is so good.
When making a batch of hot chocolate for my family I always use the Hershey’s Hot Chocolate recipe. I use Hershey’s special dark cocoa powder as it has such a deep chocolate taste. You can find the full recipe on their site. If you’d rather have a sugar-free version, here is a sugar free hot cocoa mix you can make yourself.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
4 oz. (1/2 cup) | sugar |
1 oz. (1/4 cup) | HERSHEY’S Cocoa, Natural (Item# 63505) |
Dash | salt |
1/3 cup | hot water |
1 qt. (4 cups) | half & half or whole milk |
3/4 tsp. | vanilla extract |
There are many ways to make a great hot chocolate. If you love to use your Instant Pot you should try this Instant Pot Hot Chocolate. If the crockpot is more your style then take a look at this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate.

Other Flavors to Add to Your Hot Chocolate
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg
- Peppermint Extract or Peppermint Schnapps
- Orange Syrup, Orange Extract or Orange Liqueur
- Dalgona Whipped Coffee
How to Display Your Platter
One of the most important parts is the board you put it on. It doesn’t have to be something elaborate or fancy, but the board really does elevate the display.
A large wooden cutting board is perfect for the display of your foods. Depending on how much food you want to include, it will need to be a sizeable platter to hold enough food.

You will want to think about how to hold the hot chocolate warm so that it is the perfect temperature when a refill is needed. There are a few different ways to do this.
You can prepare a big batch of hot chocolate on the stove in a big pot. If you leave the burner on the lowest setting it should stay warm without scorching on the bottom.

My favorite way to make it is in the slow cooker. You can easily add all the ingredients in the morning and keep it warm all day.

An thermal coffee carafe with a pump is also a great way to keep the hot chocolate warm. And these generally have a handle for easy transport.
How to Assemble Your Hot Chocolate Sharing Board
Once you’ve got a your hot chocolate made, half the job is done. What is left to do is to arrange your toppings.
- Arrange your hot chocolate in a central location along with the mugs.
- Arrange smaller items in bowls for easy access.
- Cut up chocolate bars or chocolate candy so that they melt quickly.
- Whip cream doesn’t hold its shape once it starts to warm up. You might want to use a stainless steal whip cream dispenser that keeps it cold.

Refilling the board
The best part about a board with multiple items is that it can be refilled quickly and easily. Prepare extra of each item and have it at the ready to refill empty spots in the board as they get eaten.
If you’re using a separate bowl to serve the hot chocolate, you can keep another batch warming on the stove top, or in the slow cooker that you leave in the kitchen.
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Winter Hot Chocolate Sharing Board
Ingredients
For the hot chocolate
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (22 g) HERSHEY’S Cocoa
- dash of salt
- 1/3 cup (79 ml) hot water
- 4 cups (946 ml) half & half or whole milk
- 3/4 tsp (4 ml) vanilla extract
For sharing board food choices
- cookies
- 1 cup (75 g) marshmallows
- 1 cup (180 g) mini chocolate chips
- 8 mini candy canes, whole or crushed
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix together sugar, cocoa, salt, and water in medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk and stir until hot, do not boil. Remove from the heat and add vanilla.
- Add hot chocolate to an insulated carafe to keep warm.
- Arrange cookies, candy, marshmallows and chocolate chips in small piles or bowls to fill the empty space of your chosen platter.
- Add insulated carafe or pot of hot chocolate and mugs within easy reach of platter. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
- Charcuterie board baking sheet, cheese board, serving tray
Nutrition

Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.
What a terrific idea. So cute and festive. Love the toasted marshmallows!
What an awesome idea! So perfect for cold cosy evenings!
This is so exciting and I love everything that is on this Board. Best reminder as the festive season is near. Thanks.
Such a fun idea! Love that you put all those hot chocolate toppings all together like that. Would be perfect for a family holiday party.
Oh, how fun! I am totally making this for the kids as soon as we get some snow.
My kids will definitely love this platter. Yummy!
so perfect for the holidays! making this!!!