New Years Clock Countdown (Printer View)

A festive platter with crackers, olives, and cheese cubes arranged to mimic a clock countdown.

# What you'll need:

→ Crackers and Breadsticks

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

→ Cheeses

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

→ Olives and Garnishes

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

→ Extras

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

# Method:

01 - Arrange the round crackers evenly in a circle around the edge of the serving board to represent clock numbers, placing 12 at the top and 6 at the bottom.
02 - Place one black olive and one green olive alternately on top of each cracker to mimic the clock numbers.
03 - Position the cherry tomatoes in the center of the board to create the clock's focal point.
04 - Skewer cheddar and Swiss cheese cubes using toothpicks and arrange them as the clock hands, setting both hands at midnight.
05 - Add breadsticks or additional garnishes as desired for extra flair and fill any gaps with parsley or rosemary sprigs.
06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to snack as you count down to midnight.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of platter that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but honestly takes just twenty minutes to pull together—secret kept safe with me.
  • Your guests will photograph it, talk about it, and remember it as the most creative touch at your party.
  • Everyone can graze and feel like they're part of the countdown ritual, making the moment to midnight feel truly shared.
02 -
  • Assemble this no more than 30 minutes before serving. Crackers absorb moisture from the olives and cheese after about an hour, and they'll lose that satisfying crunch everyone expects.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the components separate and assemble only when guests are about to arrive. The payoff in freshness is worth those extra two minutes of work.
  • Use good quality cheese if you can. Waxy, pre-shredded varieties won't cube cleanly and don't taste nearly as good. A block of real cheddar and Swiss makes all the difference.
03 -
  • If you don't have a round board, use a round platter or even a large round cutting board. The shape matters more than the material—it needs to read as a clock at first glance.
  • Make the clock hands slightly longer than they need to be so they're clearly visible from across the room. Toothpicks are cheap; impact is everything on New Year's Eve.
  • Have small appetizer plates nearby so guests can grab what they want without destabilizing the whole creation. This also lets you preserve the clock shape longer.
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