Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

Featured in: Evening Glow Plates

This playful holiday arrangement uses mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses combined with crackers, pretzels, and fresh vegetables to create a charming reindeer face. The platter is easy to prepare in just 20 minutes and perfect for family gatherings or kids’ parties. Cream cheese helps secure olives for eyes and a red bell pepper slice for a bright nose. Carrot and cucumber slices add festive decoration around the edges for color and texture. A creative and colorful appetizer that’s both fun and vegetarian-friendly.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:58:00 GMT
A festive Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter: cheddar cheese face with olive eyes and red pepper nose. Save
A festive Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter: cheddar cheese face with olive eyes and red pepper nose. | cheerfulchefs.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 brings smiles to my family's holiday celebrations, making snack time playful and memorable.

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.
Enjoy this easy-to-make, vegetarian Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter, perfect for a holiday party! Save
Enjoy this easy-to-make, vegetarian Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter, perfect for a holiday party! | cheerfulchefs.com

My family loves assembling this platter together each holiday, sharing laughs as we create the reindeers face.

Notes

Serve with hummus or ranch dip on the side and get kids involved in arranging the platter for extra fun.

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.

Imagine a fun and colorful Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter with crackers, cheese, and veggie decorations. Save
Imagine a fun and colorful Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter with crackers, cheese, and veggie decorations. | cheerfulchefs.com

This platter is a delightful centerpiece that blends creativity with taste, perfect for any holiday occasion.

Recipe FAQs

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Mild cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda are ideal for their flavor and texture, allowing easy arrangement and a pleasing taste.

How do I ensure the olives and pepper stay in place?

Use a small amount of cream cheese as an adhesive to hold the olive slices and pepper rounds securely on the platter.

Can I substitute crackers for gluten-free options?

Yes, gluten-free crackers can be used to accommodate dietary needs without compromising the visual appeal.

What’s the best way to serve this platter?

Serve immediately after assembly with dips like hummus or ranch on the side for a festive touch and extra flavor.

Is this platter suitable for children?

Absolutely. It’s visually fun and made with mild flavors perfect for kids, plus it encourages participation in the assembly process.

Cheesy Reindeer Face Platter

A festive platter with cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and crackers shaped as a reindeer face.

Prep Time
20 minutes
0
Overall Time
20 minutes
Creator Ruby Smiles

Recipe Type Evening Glow Plates

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Background American

Portions 8 Serves

Dietary Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You’ll 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 (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

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Create cheeks: Place mozzarella slices on each side of the face to represent cheeks.

Step 04

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

Step 05

Add antlers: Position two pretzel twists or halved breadsticks at the top of the head to simulate antlers.

Step 06

Attach ears: Place two round crackers above the face to serve as ears.

Step 07

Affix eyes: Use a small amount of cream cheese to adhere sliced black olives onto the face to form eyes.

Step 08

Add the nose: Secure a red bell pepper round at the center as the nose using cream cheese if needed.

Step 09

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

Step 10

Finalize presentation: Fill remaining spaces with any extra veggies or crackers and serve immediately.

Tools You’ll Need

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

Potential Allergens

Inspect ingredients for specific allergens and contact a professional for concerns.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and gluten.
  • May contain soy depending on cracker brand.

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

Provided as supportive info; always cross-check with your healthcare provider.
  • Calories: 180
  • Fats: 10 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 14 grams
  • Proteins: 8 grams