Quick Answer: A Christmas cookie charcuterie board is a dessert board built from five or six kinds of cookies with different shapes, colors and textures, filled in with chocolate, a little candy, fresh fruit, nuts and one dip. Plan 3 to 4 cookies per guest when it's the party dessert, or 2 to 3 after a big dinner: about 3 to 4 dozen for 12 guests. Put the biggest cookies down first, fan the rest in rows or wedges, and fill every gap.
Why a cookie board works
A plate of cookies disappears into the background. The same cookies laid out like a charcuterie board become the centerpiece of the dessert table, and guests can try a little of everything. It's also the best way to show off a cookie exchange haul or to stretch two batches of homemade cookies with some good store-bought ones.
Pick 5 or 6 cookies with different roles
Variety is what makes the board look full and festive. Choose one or two from each line:
| Role | Homemade ideas | Store-bought shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Classic cutout | Iced sugar cookies, gingerbread people | Bakery sugar cookies |
| Buttery and plain | Shortbread, spritz | Walkers shortbread |
| Chocolate | Chocolate crinkles, double chocolate | Chocolate wafers, Milano cookies |
| Spiced | Gingersnaps, molasses cookies | Biscoff, gingersnaps |
| Jammy or nutty | Thumbprints, Linzer cookies, Mexican wedding cookies | Jam-filled butter cookies |
| Crunchy and long | Biscotti, pizzelles | Pirouline wafer rolls |
For the shortbread, see our ranking of the best store-bought shortbread.
Add the extras
- Chocolate: squares of good dark chocolate, chocolate-dipped pretzels or peppermint bark. Our dark chocolate ranking names the best bars.
- A little candy: candy canes, Hershey's Kisses or chocolate truffles. Use candy as an accent, not the main event. For a full candy spread, see our candy charcuterie board.
- Fresh fruit: strawberries, raspberries, clementine segments and pomegranate seeds for color and a break from all the sugar.
- Nuts: candied pecans or salted almonds.
- One dip: a cream cheese frosting dip, Nutella or salted caramel in a small bowl.
- Garnish: rosemary sprigs look like little Christmas trees and smell great.
How many cookies you need
| Guests | Party dessert (3–4 each) | After a big dinner (2–3 each) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2 to 3 dozen | 1½ to 2 dozen |
| 12 | 3 to 4 dozen | 2 to 3 dozen |
| 20 | 5 to 7 dozen | 3½ to 5 dozen |
| 30 | 7½ to 10 dozen | 5 to 7½ dozen |
Smaller cookies stretch further. Cut big bakery cookies in half, and count two mini cookies as one.
How to build it
- Pick the board. A large wooden board, a tray or a clean baking sheet lined with parchment. Round boards make a nice wreath shape.
- Place the bowls first: the dip and anything loose, like candy or nuts.
- Lay the largest cookies, like decorated cutouts and gingerbread people, so they're easy to see.
- Fan or stack the rest in rows or wedges, grouping each kind together. Lean cookies against each other at an angle so they don't lie flat.
- Tuck in the chocolate and fruit to separate colors.
- Fill every gap with candy, nuts and rosemary. A full board looks abundant; gaps look sparse.
Shape ideas: arrange the cookies in a ring for a wreath, or in a triangle for a Christmas tree like our Christmas tree board.
Make-ahead tips
- Bake or buy cookies up to a week ahead and keep them in airtight tins, with soft and crisp cookies stored separately so the crisp ones don't go soft.
- Arrange the board a few hours ahead and cover it loosely with plastic wrap.
- Add fresh fruit, dips and anything that melts just before serving.
- Label cookies with nuts, and keep a few nut-free cookies on a separate plate if any guest has an allergy.
Want a sweet-and-savory board?
Cookies and cheese are a great match. Try aged cheddar with shortbread or gingersnaps, brie with ginger cookies, or a wedge of blue cheese next to chocolate or oatmeal cookies. A small cheese board next to the cookie board gives guests who don't love sweets something to nibble.
More Christmas boards
Pair the cookie board with a hot cocoa board for a dessert table, or see all our Christmas charcuterie board ideas, including the wreath board and a full dessert board guide.
FAQ
What goes on a Christmas cookie board?
Five or six kinds of cookies with different shapes, colors and textures (for example sugar cookies, gingerbread, shortbread, chocolate crinkles, thumbprints and biscotti), plus chocolate, a little candy, fresh fruit like strawberries or clementines, nuts and one dip.
How many cookies do I need for a cookie board?
About 3 to 4 cookies per guest when it's the dessert at a party, or 2 to 3 per guest after a big dinner. For 12 guests at a party, that's about 3 to 4 dozen.
Can I make a cookie board ahead of time?
Yes. Most cookies keep for several days in airtight tins. Arrange the board up to a few hours ahead, cover it loosely, and add fresh fruit and anything soft or melty just before serving.
Can I use store-bought cookies?
Yes. Mix one or two homemade kinds with good store-bought cookies like butter shortbread, gingersnaps, Pirouline wafers or Pepperidge Farm cookies. Nobody minds once they're arranged.
What cheese goes with Christmas cookies?
Aged cheddar with shortbread or gingersnaps, brie with ginger cookies, and a blue cheese with chocolate or oatmeal cookies. Add one cheese if you want a sweet-and-savory board.
