Be the hostess with the mostest this holiday season with an epic Christmas cookie platter! They are so easy to put together and always a fun and creative way to share holiday treats with family and friends. Learn all the tips and tricks you need take your entertaining skills to the next level with a Christmas cookie platter.
This Christmas Cookie Platter recipe is sponsored by King Arthur. As always, all thoughts are my own. Thank you so much for supporting brands that make The Fit Peach possible!
A simple cookie platter is the perfect way to show off your favorite cookie recipes! It also allows guests a variety of choices so there is something for everyone.
I made things easy and made 4 types of gluten free cookies all using the same cookie dough base, I just switched up the flavors a tad with each batch.
My husband called them the best cookie he's ever had so if that's not reason enough to try them, I don't know what is.
You'll also love my s'more charcuterie board and my easy and simple charcuterie board.
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How to make a Christmas Cookie Platter
First things first, you need cookies to go on a Christmas cookie platter. Try to think of a variety of flavors so the board pleases all guests.
Flavor diversity is also key so they don't all taste the same. For example, don't have a chocolate chip cookie and a chocolate M&M cookie and a double chocolate cookie. Although I'm a big fan of chocolate, all of those cookies are in the same flavor group.
You will also want a few finger treats like chocolate squares, chocolate pretzels, M&Ms, candy canes, etc. These little treats provide some extra "fluff" to the board but is also functional because people can still enjoy them!
Cookie flavors
I made things super easy with the help of King Arthur's Gluten free Measure for Measure Flour and made 4 different types of cookies with the same base cookie dough.
Here are the flavors I went with:
- Chocolate chip - A classic. It's buttery and soft and filled with chocolate chips. I think it deserves a spot on any cookie platter.
- Mint chocolate chip - For the thin mint lovers. This is a chocolate cookie with mint chocolate baking chips.
- Peppermint - This is also a must around the holidays. It has sugar cookie vibes with crispy edges and a soft middle and specks of peppermint crunch in every bite.
- Hot cocoa - This was a fan favorite amongst my friends and family. It's a chocolate cookie with marshmallows and extra chocolate baked into the cookie.
Selecting a board
Don't over think your tray choice. A Christmas charcuterie board can be made on practically anything. Here are a few ideas:
- Serving platter - This is what I used above. It's one of the bigger platter I have and was perfect to hold the cookies.
- Dinner plate - A large dinner plate will work as your board when serving a smaller crowd.
- Charger - If you have a charger, the thing that goes under a dinner plate, is great for serving a larger party of 6 - 8 people.
- Cutting board - A large rectangular or circular cutting board makes the perfect cookie platter.
- Cookie sheet - Use a cookie sheet with some people parchment paper, like I used in this dessert charcuterie board, to make a board for a small gathering. This will hold a larger amount of cookies like the board I have above.
Filler ideas
Little extra "fillers" help to put the finishing touches on the cookie platter. While they don't seem like a lot, they take a dull tray of cookies and makes it a well-styled and thoughtful festive cookie platter so don't skip these!
- Candy - It's the holidays, live a little! You can't go wrong with green and red M&Ms and you can find them practically everywhere around the holidays. These dark chocolate peanut butter cups or a few pieces of vegan fudge would be fun too!
- Nuts - Add a bowl of salty nuts to add a sophisticated flare to the platter. This will also give your guests something savory to snack on in between cookies 😉
- Fruit - This is a great way to keep with the sweet theme but lighten it up a bit. Strawberries are great because they are red and will look festive on the board. Dried fruit is also great around the holidays.
- Cheese - Again, a more sophisticated move but a darn good one! I would add a combination of a sweeter cheese and a savory one to complete the board.
- Popcorn - This is a super easy finger treat to add to the mix and most everyone always enjoys it. My puppy chow in a great sweet treat to munch on too.
Board styling tips
Taking a few extra minutes to style the cookie board instead of just piling the cookies on a plate will go a long way. Here are a few of my favorite tips to make sure your board is beaituful:
- Place any bowls on the platter first. This is important because they are fixed in size (you can't make them smaller or larger). If you have a few bowls, try to space them around on the board so they aren't close together.
- Change up the styling with each flavor of cookie. For example, line one flavor up in a row and create a little pile with another flavor. This does a good job showing people that there are different flavors on the board.
- Finish it off with something festive. I used candy canes but you could also use pretzel sticks or wrapped candy. I also doesn't have to be edible. Some festive small ornaments or tinsel would be super festive!
Cookie directions
To make the gluten free cookies I used on my cookie platter, you will need a hand mixer or stand mixer, a large 2 oz cookie scoop, and a baking sheet.
Step 1 : Beat the wet ingredients
Beat the room temperature butter with the granulated sugar and coconut sugar. Continue to mix well until the sugars are well incorporated into the butter. This can take about 3 minutes.
Once the butter and sugar are well beaten, add the egg and vanilla and beat well until creamy. The batter should be thick and a light tan color.
Step 2 : Fold in the dry ingredients and mix-ins
Slowly add the gluten free flour, baking soda, and sea salt to the batter and fold gently until no flour clumps remain but don't over mix.
Then, depending on your cookie flavor, add your mix-ins like peppermint crunch or chocolate chips. Fold in to distribute.
Step 3 : Scoop and bake
One of the best things about these cookies is that they have no chilling time. You can just make the dough and bake right away. Of course, if you want to chill the dough you can do that too until you're ready to bake them.
Leave a good amount of room in between each cookie as they do spread in the oven. I don't like to bake more than 5 at a time on a baking sheet.
For more holiday recipes, check out:
PS : If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star review and comment below! Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on all tasty recipes here at The Fit Peach!
Recipe
Christmas Cookie Platter
Ingredients
Base cookie dough
- ½ cup butter - softened, sub vegan to make dairy free
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar - sub coconut sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoon vanilla - use 1 teaspoon vanilla + 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for the peppermint flavor
- 1 ⅓ cup King Arthur Gluten free Measure for Measure Flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate Chip
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Peppermint Sugar Cookie
- ½ cup peppermint crunch - or chop up peppermint bark
Mint Chocolate Chip
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- ½ cup chocolate mint crunch - or use half chocolate chips and half mint chip
Hot Cocoa
- 1 tablespoon cacao
- ½ cup marshmallows
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips - use dairy free if needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, beat the butter with the sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract (if making the peppermint flavor) and continue to mix until well combined. The mixture should look thick and creamy.
- Slowly add the King Arthur Gluten free Measure for Measure Flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cacao powder (if making chocolate flavor) while continuing to mix. Be sure not to over-mix this step and only mix until the flour is incorporated.
- Fold in the mix-ins for your desired cookie flavor (ie. chocolate chips, peppermint crunch, marshmallows, etc.).
- Use a large 2-oz cookie scoop to scoop the dough into a ball and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for easy clean up at least 3 inches apart. These cookies will spread so make sure you leave enough space in between each cookie. Bake in the oven for 12 - 14 minutes until the edges of the cookie look crispy. Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet before serving.
- To prepare the cookie board, first place a few bowls with snacks of choosing, like chocolates or nuts, on a large platter. Then place the cookies in lines and in loose piles around the bowls. Enjoy with friends and family!
I made the Hot Cocoa flavor over Christmas and looooved! I’ve never put marshmallows in a cookie before, but loved the combo with chocolate chips. Such a fun cookie the whole fam liked!
Yay!! You can't go wrong with a hot cocoa cookie over Christmas.
I made this chocolate chip ones today and and they were so good and easy. Couldn't tell that they were gluten-free at all! For sure storing this recipe away for another day.
Hi Tae! So happy to hear you like the recipe!
Can I use regular all purpose flour?
Hi Addy! Yes, all purpose should work in this recipe as well.