Save I'll never forget the New Year's Eve when my neighbor brought over this whimsical cheese and cracker clock platter. It was minutes before midnight, and instead of just counting down on our phones, we were actually gathering around this edible timepiece, each picking at olives and cheese cubes as the seconds ticked away. Something about arranging food into a clock face felt like we were literally eating our way into the new year, and I've been making versions of it ever since for every celebration that deserves a little extra charm.
I remember my teenage daughter rolling her eyes when I suggested this platter for her friend group's New Year's gathering. By 11:55 PM, those same friends were debating whether eating the olives from 3 o'clock made their wishes come true faster. It became the thing they asked for at every party after that—proof that presentation and playfulness matter just as much as taste.
Ingredients
- 24 round crackers: These form the numbers of your clock face, so choose ones sturdy enough to hold toppings without breaking—thin delicate crackers will get soggy within minutes, but something with a slight thickness holds up beautifully through the evening
- 8 breadsticks: Optional, but they add vertical interest and prevent the platter from feeling flat; I've learned they're worth the small effort
- 200 g cheddar cheese, cubed: The sharpness of cheddar plays beautifully against the briny olives, and cutting it into small cubes makes it easier for guests to grab without the platter becoming chaotic
- 200 g Swiss cheese, cubed: The milder, slightly nutty Swiss balances the bold cheddar and gives you that beautiful two-tone effect when arranged as clock hands
- 24 black olives, pitted: These are your visual anchors on the clock—the contrast between black and the pale crackers makes the time references unmistakable
- 24 green olives, pitted: Alternating with the black creates a rhythm around the circle and gives guests options since everyone has their olive preference
- 2 cherry tomatoes: These mark the center point of your clock and add a pop of color that says 'this was carefully thought through'
- Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs: Beyond looking beautiful, these herbs fill gaps and add a fresh aroma that reminds people this is made with intention
- 1 round serving board: About 30 cm (12 inches) gives you perfect space to work; I've used wooden boards, ceramic platters, even a large marble cutting board—the shape matters more than the material
Instructions
- Create your clock face foundation:
- Lay out your 24 round crackers in a perfect circle on the board. Start with the 12 o'clock position at the top, then work your way around—you'll want them spaced evenly, like you're looking down at an actual clock. I've found it helps to visualize where 3, 6, and 9 would fall before you place a single cracker, so everything feels balanced
- Add the number markers:
- Take one black olive and press it gently on top of the first cracker at 12 o'clock. Then place a green olive on the next cracker at 1 o'clock. Alternate all the way around—black, green, black, green. The rhythm is satisfying, and it creates this natural pattern that draws the eye around the circle
- Mark the center with intention:
- Place your two cherry tomatoes right in the middle of the board. These are your clock's heart—that focal point where the hands will meet at midnight. If one tomato seems too lonely, rest assured it will anchor beautifully once the cheese skewers surround it
- Craft the midnight hands:
- Thread cubes of cheddar and Swiss cheese onto toothpicks, alternating the colors so each hand has personality. Arrange them so both 'hands' point straight up toward 12 o'clock—it's a visual commitment that says 'we're ready for this moment.' I like to make them slightly different lengths so one hand visibly overlaps the other
- Add the flourishes:
- Tuck breadsticks into gaps or lean them artfully against the board for height. Scatter parsley or rosemary sprigs into any remaining spaces—this is where it transforms from 'assembled food' to 'a moment.' Step back and look at it. It should feel like you're looking down at an actual clock someone cares about
- Present at the perfect moment:
- Bring this out when there's about 15 minutes until midnight, encouraging people to gather around. There's something about eating from a clock face that makes everyone feel like they're part of something ceremonial
Save There's a particular kind of magic in watching strangers become friends over a shared countdown. Someone will inevitably eat an olive from 11 o'clock while asking someone else to grab a cheese cube from 7, and suddenly you've got this beautiful coordination happening around food. That's when you know you've created something that feeds more than just hunger.
Making It Your Own
This clock doesn't demand perfection—it invites personalization. I've seen versions with dried cranberries replacing black olives for a more elegant feel, and others where someone used beet-colored hummus on crackers instead of olives altogether. The formula is simple enough that you can think of this as a template rather than a strict recipe. Want to use different cheeses? Absolutely. Prefer prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks for the clock hands? Even better. The joy of this platter is that it looks intentional no matter what, because the concept is clever enough to carry slight variations.
Timing and Temperature
Assemble this right before your guests arrive or no more than 30 minutes before serving. The beauty of this platter is that there's zero cooking involved, which means you can focus on being present rather than stressed. If your kitchen tends to be warm, keep the cheese in a small bowl in the coldest part of your refrigerator until the absolute last moment before skewering. The contrast between cold cheese and room-temperature olives and crackers is actually part of what makes each bite satisfying—the different textures remind your mouth that you're eating real food, not just party food.
The Ceremonial Element
Here's what I've noticed over years of making this: people interact differently with food that has playfulness baked into it. They don't just eat mechanically—they engage with the concept. Someone will ask what time it is and actually look at the clock rather than their phone. Someone else will say 'I'll eat the 6 o'clock cheese' with the confidence of someone who's made a meaningful decision. By the time you're counting down to midnight, this platter has already done the work of bringing people together.
- Consider toasting with something special once you reach midnight—even just sparkling grape juice makes it feel ceremonial
- Leave this platter out through the first few minutes of the new year so people keep grazing as they make resolutions and predictions
- Take a photo before anyone starts eating; future-you will love having captured this moment
Save Make this platter because you want to turn a countdown into a memory. The minutes before midnight are precious—make them delicious.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I assemble the clock face using crackers and olives?
Arrange round crackers evenly in a circle and place one black and one green olive alternately on each to mimic clock numbers.
- → What cheeses work best for the clock hands?
Cheddar and Swiss cheese cut into small cubes work well, as they hold their shape when skewered and contrast in color.
- → Can I make this platter gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the crackers with gluten-free varieties to accommodate dietary needs without compromising presentation.
- → What garnish options enhance the platter’s appearance?
Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs add color and freshness, while breadsticks provide additional texture and decoration.
- → How do I set the cheese cubes to represent midnight?
Skewer cheese cubes on toothpicks and position them so both 'hands' point straight up towards the 12 o’clock crackers.