New Years Clock Countdown (Print Version)

A festive platter with cheeses, olives, and crackers arranged as a clock for holiday gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Crackers and Breadsticks

01 - 24 round crackers
02 - 8 breadsticks (optional)

→ Cheeses

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

→ Olives and Garnishes

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

→ Extras

09 - 1 small round wooden or ceramic serving board, about 12 inches diameter (optional)

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Place the round crackers evenly around 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 - Alternate placing one black olive and one green olive atop each cracker to mimic clock numbers.
03 - Place the cherry tomatoes in the center of the board to create the clock's center point.
04 - Skewer cheddar and Swiss cheese cubes on toothpicks and arrange them as clock hands set to midnight, with one hand pointing straight up at 12 and the other overlapping or also at 12.
05 - Decorate with breadsticks or additional garnishes as desired and fill any gaps with parsley or rosemary sprigs.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to snack as the countdown to midnight begins.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes just twenty minutes to create something that looks like you spent hours planning—the kind of magic that impresses without stress.
  • Guests can graze throughout the countdown, so you're not stuck in the kitchen while the party happens.
  • It's a conversation piece that naturally brings people together around one focal point as the clock ticks toward midnight.
02 -
  • Always buy pitted olives—unpitted ones will frustrate your guests and distract from the fun. I learned this the hard way when half my guests were nervously checking each bite.
  • Assemble the clock face within an hour of serving; olives and crackers can become soft if the platter sits too long uncovered. The cheese cubes stay fresh on their toothpicks until the very last moment.
03 -
  • Use a wooden board rather than glass or ceramic; it feels warmer and more inviting, and the wood tones make the olives and cheese colors sing.
  • Arrange your clock the night before in a dry run, even if you don't leave it on the board—this mental practice makes the actual assembly faster and more confident on party day.
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