Cookie Charcuterie Board
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Take your gatherings up a notch with a Cookie Charcuterie Board! Add your favorite cookies, nuts and seeds, fruits, and dips for a colorful, eye-catching, and inviting spread! Adjust quantities for crowd size and plan in advance so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute! {GF + DF}
Spiriteds, why should the savories get all the charcuterie board fun? I mean, granted, it’s how I get my children to try new foods. Like, a carrot on a plate is just a carrot on a plate. But a carrot on a charcuterie board is in a whole other league that transcends texture and taste. Thank you for understanding.
So why not let other foods shine on a charcuterie spread? Like, oh, I don’t know, cookies, maybe? Which is exactly what we’re doing here. This Cookie Charcuterie Board is all things festive, fun, and flavorful. It’s perfect for holidays, brunches, movie night in, and special occasions. And even though charcuterie boards are time consuming to set up, Cookie Charcuterie Boards get to be a little different. Because why? Because you can bake the cookies ahead of time and store them until you’re ready. In fact, below I have a general timeline of how to break up your Cookie Charcuterie Board prep!
And if you have no intention of baking, and want to incorporate store-bought cookies instead, then, YES, go for it. Use the tips below as a guideline for managing your schedule and laying out your charcuterie wares.
Whichever way you want to take your Cookie Charcuterie Board, I’m excited for you! Also, before we move forward, do you think my kids will notice if I sneak a carrot onto a cookie platter? Y/N (circle one, but don’t let the teacher see!)
Cookie Charcuterie Board ideas
Laying out a charcuterie board, sweet or savory, incorporates math and science. Think where to place everything, how much to have, and when to begin prepping. It’s also an art. Think which cookies to include, how to design the spread, and the color scheme or feeling you want to invoke. Charcuterie board spreads are a lot of work but also a lot of fun.
And in addition to deciding cookies, think about whether you want to add fruits, nuts, and seeds, or whether your Cookie Charcuterie Board will host only cookies. Think, too, about whether your spread will contain only sweets or house a few savories, as well.
Side note: The recipes listed below and displayed on this Cookie Charcuterie Board are gluten-free and dairy-free. Some recipes may be vegan or egg-free, while others are grain-free and paleo-friendly. Click through each for more details!
Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies
These Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies are made with just a handful of ingredients and are egg-free, too! A sweet, doughy pecan cookie is lightly baked and then rolled in powdered sugar for a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treat! {GF + Vegan-friendly}
Buttery Almond Cookies
Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth Buttery Almond Cookies are one of our family’s absolute favorite treats! Made with a handful of allergen-friendly ingredients, the rich, sweet taste belies just how easy these Cookies are to bake! {Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free}
Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles
These soft and chewy Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles are made with almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour, sweetened with your liquid sweetener of choice, and rolled in a coconut sugar and cinnamon coating! They are easy to make, even easier to enjoy, and perfect all throughout the year! {Grain-Free + Paleo-Friendly}
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Sugar Cookies
These Gluten-Free Oatmeal Sugar Cookies are a family-favorite recipe! Soft, chewy, and sweet, we never eat just one! Variations and tips are included to get just the right consistency! {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Soy-Free}
Chocolate Chunk Crinkle Cookies
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with these decadent Chocolate Chunk Crinkle Cookies! We’re just going to combine three types of chocolate with egg whites, powdered sugar, and a few other ingredients, to then bake them into a crinkley goodness. {GF +DF}
How to prepare a Cookie Charcuterie Board in advance
- About three days prior to the party, decide which cookies to make. Begin making a list of ingredients you’ll need and double check the recipe cards to see how long the cookies will remain fresh after baking. Take a moment to think of any accoutrements you’ll want to add, such as fresh fruit, jams, melted fondue-style goodies, or nuts and seeds and add those to your grocery list.
- Two days prior to the party, begin baking any cookies that are easy to store for 48 hours or will retain their flavor and freshness without a lot of hassle.
- One day prior to the party, finish baking any cookies that will store well for 24 hours.
- On the day of the party, bake any cookies that should be enjoyed the same day they are made. A few hours before the party, begin arranging the cookies (and any jars or bowls you’ll be placing on the board). Then cover the charcuterie board with plastic wrap.
- With 30 minutes to one hour to go, add any fresh ingredients, such as fruit and cover the charcuterie board again. When you are ready to serve your cookie spread, remove the plastic wrap. Then fill in any unwanted gaps on the board with additional small treats or sprigs of fresh herbs.
- After the party, remove the cookies, accouterments, or fillers and wash the charcuterie board according to its care instructions.
Side note: Some charcuterie ingredients, such as nut and seed butters or melted goods like chocolate may need to be added just prior to serving either to retain their freshness or their consistency.
How to lay out a Cookie Charcuterie Board
- First, place any jars or bowls on the board. I like to space them as evenly as possible to make them easier for people to access. If the foods you’ll be putting in them will stay fresh 30-60 minutes before your party, then fill the dishes now. Otherwise, wait and fill them just prior to serving.
- Next, place the cookies throughout the board. Think about whether you want to cover the entire charcuterie board with food or whether you want to leave gaps here and there. Layer the cookies (oatmeal cookies, pictured) or zig-zag them (snickerdoodles, pictured). Some cookies, like the snowball cookies (pictured), can also be loosely stacked.
- Then add any nuts or seeds to the charcuterie board. These can be added to the dishes mentioned in Step 1 or they can be used as filler here in Step 3.
- Now add fresh fruits. If any of the fruits have become watery, then consider placing them in the jars or bowls. Otherwise, they are great filler in the center of a charcuterie board or around the edges. At this stage add nut or seed butters, jams, or melted chocolate to the dishes.
- After that, add any sprigs of fresh herbs. Like the fruit, fresh herbs add visual interest and a festive touch.
- Then serve and enjoy!
FAQs
- Should I leave room on the charcuterie board or fill it completely? I’ve seen both done very well. It comes down to what you want to do and what your guests will enjoy. If you have lots of cookies to share and want to fill the board, then go for it. And if you want extra space or come up short on cookies to fill the board, then that’s okay, too. It’s the getting together and sharing family and friendship time that is important.
- How many cookies should I have? This will depend on the size of your charcuterie board. For my board, which measures 15 inches in diameter, I had five cookie recipes ready to go. On a larger board you might have six or more, and on a smaller board, you might have four or fewer. In addition to the number of varieties, think about a cookie recipe’s yield as you decide what to include.
- Should I place each type of cookie in just one spot? Like the quantity of cookies, this will also depend on the size of your board. I like to evenly distribute two groupings of each cookie on the board, if I can swing it, so people don’t have to reach over each other.
BONUS recipes
Okay, these two cookies didn’t make it into the photoshoot, but they happen to be some of our favorite cookie recipes. Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Cookies and Gluten-Free Lemon Sugar Cookies are where it’s at, Spiriteds! Not only are they delicious but their colors and textures offer visual interest on a colorful charcuterie board spread!
More charcuterie board inspiration!
If charcuterie spreads are your thing, then you might enjoy these delicious options!
- Apple Slice Charcuterie Board (great for breakfasts, brunches, or small get-togethers)
- Healthy Charcuterie Board (and by healthy” think “allergen-friendly”)
- Marinated Greek Olives (a stand-alone recipe I often include in a charcuterie spread)
Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun when you can, and always remember I’m glad you’re here! ❤️
Cookie Charcuterie Board
Take your gatherings up a notch with a Cookie Charcuterie Board! Add your favorite cookies, nuts and seeds, fruits, and dips for a colorful, eye-catching, and inviting spread! Adjust quantities for crowd size and plan in advance so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute! {GF + DF}
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Appetizers and Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Cookies: About 5 different varieties
- Jams, nut/seed butters, or melted chocolate
- Nuts and seeds: Choose those that feature in your cookies or offer completely varieties
- Fresh fruit: Blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate arils, or blueberries
- Fresh herbs: Thyme sprigs, sage leaves, or rosemary sprigs are festive
Instructions
- First, place any jars or bowls on the board. I like to space them as evenly as possible to make them easier for people to access. If the foods you’ll be putting in them will stay fresh 30-60 minutes before your party, then fill the dishes now. Otherwise, wait and fill them just prior to serving.
- Next, place the cookies throughout the board. Think about whether you want to cover the entire charcuterie board with food or whether you want to leave gaps here and there. Layer the cookies (oatmeal cookies, pictured) or zig-zag them (snickerdoodles, pictured). Some cookies, like the snowball cookies pictured, can also be loosely stacked.
- Then add any nuts or seeds to the charcuterie board. These can be added to the dishes mentioned in Step 1 or they can be used as filler here in Step 3.
- Now add fresh fruits. If any of the fruits have become watery, then consider placing them in the jars or bowls. Otherwise, they are great filler in the center of a charcuterie board or around the edges. At this stage add nut or seed butters, jams, or melted chocolate to the dishes.
- After that, add any sprigs of fresh herbs. Like the fruit, fresh herbs add visual interest and a festive touch.
- Then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- The actual number of cookies needed will depend on the size of your charcuterie board. For my board, which measures 15 inches in diameter, I had five cookie recipes ready to go. On a larger board you might have six or more, and on a smaller board, you might have four or fewer. In addition to the number of varieties, think about a cookie recipe’s yield as you decide what to include.
- Like the quantity of cookies, placement of the cookies will also depend on the size of your board. I like to evenly distribute two groupings of each cookie on the board, if I can swing it, so people don’t have to reach over each other.
- Some charcuterie ingredients, such as nut and seed butters or melted goods like chocolate may need to be added just prior to serving either to retain their freshness or their consistency.
- Whether you want to completely fill your Cookie Charcuterie Board with goodies or leave empty space throughout is up to you and what you think will work best for you and those you’re sharing the spread with.
- For additional details on prepping ahead of time, please see the blog post section titled “How to Prepare a Cookie Charcuterie Board in Advance.”
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