New Years Clock Countdown (Print Version)

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

# Components:

→ Crackers and Breadsticks

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

→ Cheeses

03 - 7 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
04 - 7 ounces Swiss cheese, cubed

→ Olives and Garnishes

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

→ Extras (optional)

09 - 1 small round wooden or ceramic serving board, approx. 12 inches diameter

# Preparation Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes only 20 minutes—nobody needs to know how simple it really is
  • Every guest becomes a participant, snacking strategically around the clock face as if solving a delicious puzzle
  • The combination of salty olives, creamy cheese, and crispy crackers keeps people reaching back for more
  • It transforms the countdown into an interactive moment rather than just staring at a screen
02 -
  • Pit your olives ahead of time—trying to remove pits while assembling is the kind of frustration that steals your party energy, and trust me, guests will bite into a pitted olive with confidence
  • Keep cheese cubes cold until the last possible moment; if they start sweating and softening, they won't hold their shape on the toothpicks, and the whole hand arrangement falls apart
  • This platter's lifespan is about 60-90 minutes before crackers start absorbing moisture from the olives and going soft—which is perfect timing if you're serving it in that final hour before midnight
03 -
  • If you're worried about the presentation during serving, arrange everything on a board that can stay stationary in the center of your gathering space rather than passing it around—it stays beautiful and people come to it
  • Toast the crackers very lightly under the broiler about 10 minutes before assembly if you want them extra crispy and less likely to soften; it's a small step that makes a real difference
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