New Years Clock Countdown (Print Version)

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

# Components:

→ Crackers and Breadsticks

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

→ Cheeses

03 - 7 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
04 - 7 oz 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 (approximately 12 inches diameter)

# Directions:

01 - Place the round crackers evenly around the edge of the serving board forming a clock face, positioning 12 at the top and 6 at the bottom.
02 - Alternate one black olive and one green olive on top of each cracker to represent clock numbers.
03 - Position the cherry tomatoes at the center of the board to create the clock’s center point.
04 - Skewer cubes of cheddar and Swiss cheese on toothpicks and arrange them as clock hands set to midnight, with one hand pointing straight up and the other overlapping if desired.
05 - Add breadsticks and additional garnishes such as parsley or rosemary sprigs to fill gaps and enhance presentation.
06 - Serve immediately and invite guests to nibble as you count down to midnight.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of conversation starter that makes guests smile before they even taste anything—people can't resist a clock they can actually eat.
  • Zero cooking required means you can spend your evening actually enjoying your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • The combination of salty olives, creamy cheese, and crisp crackers hits every flavor note, and somehow it feels fancier than it actually is.
02 -
  • Always pit your olives before assembling, or keep the pits nearby in a small bowl—biting into an unpitted olive mid-celebration is nobody's idea of festive.
  • Cut your cheese cubes all roughly the same size; this makes them easier to thread on toothpicks and makes the whole platter look intentional rather than haphazard.
  • Assemble this no more than 30 minutes before serving, or the crackers can start absorbing moisture from the olives and become a bit tired. Fresh and crisp is the goal.
03 -
  • If you're serving a crowd, make two smaller clocks instead of one large one—it's easier to navigate and everyone gets a better view of the artistry.
  • The olives are incredibly important to the visual impact; take a moment to pat them dry before placing them so they gleam a little under the party lights.
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