How to Make a Vegan Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board

If 2020 has brought us anything, it’s the glow-up of the charcuterie board. You know, the DIY boards filled with snackable goodies. Although we love a tray filled with plant-based meats, vegan cheeses, and artisan crackers, we are here to tell you, these trays don’t have to be savory! Yup, we’re talking about edible collages of dessert. And what better way to celebrate the cold weather than with a creative hot cocoa board? We like to start with a creamy vegan cocoa base, something sweet to stir, a cozy addition to top, and a sidecar of vegan sweets to dunk. Check out our guide to building the best vegan hot chocolate charcuterie board.

Anja Grommons / Dec 18, 2020

Food & Drink

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Hot Cocoa

Starting with a good hot cocoa base is important. Opt for a classic cocoa or rev up your taste buds with a flavored variety. Choose from our faves below or check out our recent article for more creamy cocoa suggestions.

Coconut Cloud – Cocoa Mix

Available in a variety of vegan-friendly flavors, Coconut Cloud comes through with the hot cocoa your DIY board deserves. Opt for a traditional cocoa mix or be bold with Salted Caramel or Peppermint.

Lake Champlain – Hot Chocolate

Mocha Hot Chocolate, anyone? Made with lively cacao and aromatic coffee, it’s basically the answer to your grown-up chocolate milk cravings. Additional flavors include Spicy Atzec and Holiday Peppermint.

Cheery Stir-ins

Now you’ll want something fun and sweet to stir your cocoa as you sit by the fireplace in flannel pajamas. And by “fireplace,” we mean Netflix. Yes, we are still watching, thanks for asking.

Yum Earth – Organic Holiday Mini Candy Canes

Perfect for stirring your drinkable masterpiece, mini candy canes from Yum Earth are totally vegan, made from organic ingredients, and colored with fruit and vegetable concentrates.

Carino Cocoa – Cream Filled Wafer Rolls

We are living for these fancy pants cookie sticks! Enjoy them on the side for the classic wafer crunch, or use them to stir your cocoa and let them melt and soften. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Emy Delights and Bites – Chocolate Pretzel Rods

Both vegan and gluten-free, the chocolate pretzel rods from Emy’s are an absolute must! Grab one to stir your cocoa and one to snack on while you’re putting your mug together.

Cozy Mug Toppers

This one is important! Mug toppers are what beautify your mug—hello IG photoshoot! Choose carefully from marshmallows, whipped topping, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles, or pile your cocoa high with all of the above.

Dandies – Marshmallows

Gelatin-free marshmallows? Happy holidays to us! Grab a bag of mini marshmallows for that classic cozy mug topper you’ll see in Hallmark movies.

So Delicious – Whipped Topping

Available in original and light varieties, a dollop of So Delicious Coco Whip is the perfect contrast for your cup of steaming hot chocolate.

Enjoy Life – Chocolate Chips

From Mini Chips to Mega Chunks, Enjoy Life offers a variety of vegan chocolate toppers for all your hot cocoa decorating needs. Bonus: These chocolates are free of major allergens, making them a crowd favorite.

Color Kitchen – Sprinkles

Don’t forget a pop of color! These vibrant nonpareil sprinkles are totally vegan and colored from a variety of natural sources like turmeric, vegetable juice, and spirulina.

Hum Yum – Organic Vegan Chocolate Sauce

A drippy chocolate drizzle is just the aesthetic we are going for. Oh, and it tastes great too. The Hum Yum chocolate sauce makes for an excellent first sip with the occasional chocolate mustache.

Festive Additions

Lastly, be sure to pair your steamy cup with an edible sidecar consisting of tasty baked goods or chocolaty candy. Let your creativity, and sweet tooth, run wild!

Lotus Biscoff – Cookies

Perfect with coffee and hot cocoa alike, Biscoff cookies aren’t just for in-flight snackin’. The hint of cinnamon makes these cookies an extra cozy treat.

Whole Foods – Donuts

Available in a variety of flavors, donuts from Whole Foods never disappoint! We suggest the vanilla, chocolate, or maple variety to dunk into your cocoa concoction.

No Whey – Chocolate No No’s

Described as bite-sized morsels of vegan happiness, these No No’s are a definite yes for our cocoa charcuterie board.

Anja Grommons

she/her

@vegcentricdietitian

During her studies to become a registered dietitian, Anja—a longtime vegetarian—transitioned to a vegan diet. Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the time (Go Broncos!), she met Maggie and Tammie through VegOut Kalamazoo (one of VegOut’s first focus cities) and began collaborating with the duo. When she’s not writing about new vegan eats, practicing as a pediatric clinical dietitian, and virtually coaching fellow plant-based eaters, you can find her creating veg-centric recipes, trying new cruelty-free products, and spending time with her partner Addison and cat Kovu.