New Years Clock Countdown (Printable Version)

A playful platter with crackers, olives, and cheese cubes arranged as a clock face for celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers and Breadsticks

01 - 24 round crackers
02 - 8 breadsticks (optional, for decoration)

→ Cheeses

03 - 7 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
04 - 7 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into small cubes

→ Olives and Garnishes

05 - 24 pitted black olives
06 - 24 pitted green olives
07 - 2 cherry tomatoes (for clock center or decoration)
08 - Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs (optional, for garnish)

→ Extras (optional)

09 - 1 small round wooden or ceramic serving board, approximately 12 inches in diameter

# Directions:

01 - Place the round crackers evenly in a circle along the edge of the serving board to represent the numbers on a clock face, positioning 12 at the top and 6 at the bottom.
02 - Alternately place one black olive and one green olive atop each cracker to emulate clock numbers.
03 - Arrange the cherry tomatoes in the center of the board to establish the clock’s focal point.
04 - Skewer cubes of cheddar and Swiss cheese using toothpicks and position them as the clock’s hands set at midnight, with one hand pointing straight up and the other overlapping if desired.
05 - Optionally, place breadsticks around the arrangement and fill any gaps with parsley or rosemary sprigs to enhance presentation.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to enjoy as the countdown to midnight begins.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that actually tastes amazing—your guests will be snapping photos before they realize they're eating an elegant spread
  • Zero cooking required means you can spend your evening enjoying company instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing when you really only needed twenty minutes and a little creativity
  • The combination of textures—creamy cheese, briny olives, and crispy crackers—keeps everyone reaching for more
02 -
  • Always pit your olives in advance—a guest biting an unpitted olive during a celebration is the opposite of festive, and they'll remember it longer than they remember how beautiful your platter was
  • Cut your cheese cubes all roughly the same size before you start skewering; uneven cubes make the hands look wobbly and will throw off your entire design. Consistency is invisible but noticeable
  • Assemble this platter no more than two hours before serving. The crackers stay crisp, the cheese maintains its shape, and the olives don't leach into everything. Timing is everything in a platter that's meant to look composed and intentional
03 -
  • Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe your board before arranging—dust-free presentation looks intentional and the slight moisture helps items stay in place
  • Keep toothpick handles outside the clock face and use the pretty end for the hands; it's a small detail that makes it look professionally designed
  • Chill your cheese cubes before assembly—they hold their shape better and look crisper throughout the evening
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