Save I'll never forget the New Year's Eve when my cousin showed up with this brilliant clock platter, and suddenly our whole countdown became interactive. While everyone else was glued to the TV, we were gathered around this edible masterpiece, plucking olives and cheese cubes, genuinely excited about the minutes ticking away. That year, midnight felt less like a moment and more like a celebration we could taste.
I remember my aunt setting this up while my nephew kept trying to eat the clock hands before we could even count down. There's something magical about a platter that invites people to be a little mischievous, to pick at it, to make it part of the celebration rather than just something to politely nibble.
Ingredients
- Round crackers (24): These become your clock numbers, so pick ones sturdy enough to hold an olive without cracking. I learned the hard way that delicate wafers disappear under cheese, so go for something with a bit of substance
- Cheddar cheese cubes (200 g): The warm golden color against black olives is what makes this feel festive. Cut them generous enough to actually grab comfortably with a toothpick
- Swiss cheese cubes (200 g): The pale color contrast is essential—it's what makes your clock hands actually visible from across the room
- Black olives (24 pitted): These mark your clock positions with a sophisticated look. Pit them yourself if you can; canned are fine but fresh makes a real difference in flavor
- Green olives (24 pitted): The alternating colors are what make this feel intentional and special, not just leftover appetizers
- Cherry tomatoes (2): These become your clock's center point—the heart of the whole design. Pick ones that are perfectly round and a deep red
- Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs: These fill gaps and make the whole thing look garden-fresh and intentional
- Toothpicks: Invest in the nicer wooden ones; they make a difference in how this looks
- Breadsticks (8, optional): These add height and visual interest, breaking up the flatness and inviting people to play with the arrangement
Instructions
- Set Your Clock Foundation:
- Arrange those 24 crackers in a perfect circle around your board like you're actually plotting a clock face. Put your first cracker at 12 o'clock at the top—straight up. Then imagine the clock and place them accordingly around the circle. Yes, this takes a minute, but the moment it clicks into place, you'll feel like a designer.
- Dress Your Numbers:
- Take one black olive and one green olive and place them gently on top of each cracker, alternating colors as you go around. It's like giving your clock personality. The alternation matters more than you'd think—it's what catches people's eyes from across the room.
- Build Your Center:
- Place your two cherry tomatoes right in the middle of the board, nestled together. This is your clock's heart, the pivot point where everything happens. They should sit slightly proud, so people can see them clearly.
- Create Your Midnight Hands:
- Thread your cheese cubes onto toothpicks, alternating cheddar and Swiss so the colors pop. Make one long hand and one short hand (or both the same length if you prefer symmetry). Arrange them so they both point straight up at 12—midnight, the magic moment. Stick them into or lean them against those cherry tomatoes at the center.
- Add Drama and Fill Gaps:
- Tuck breadsticks around the perimeter if you want height variation, and use those herb sprigs to fill any empty spaces. This is where it goes from looking like a project to looking like thoughtful design.
- Serve and Celebrate:
- Set this beauty out and watch people gravitate toward it. Encourage your guests to snack their way around the clock as the evening goes on, so by the time midnight approaches, they're already invested in this edible countdown.
Save I think what I love most about this platter is that it transforms the countdown from something passive into something communal. Instead of staring at a clock on the wall, everyone's watching the cheese cubes being eaten away, the olives disappearing, the whole thing becoming less full as midnight approaches. It's a metaphor you can actually taste.
Making It Your Own
This is where your personality gets to shine through. If you want a more vibrant look, use three colors of cheese—add some gouda or brie if you have them. The olives can be swapped for different varieties. I've seen people use sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or even tiny mozzarella balls to mark the numbers instead of olives. The clock face is just the framework; what you fill it with is entirely up to you.
Timing and Prep Strategy
The beauty of this platter is that you can assemble it about an hour before your guests arrive. Keep it covered loosely with plastic wrap so the crackers don't get stale and the cheese stays fresh. If your kitchen is warm, you might want to add it to the table just thirty minutes before midnight. The crackers will start to soften if they sit too long with olives on top, so timing is worth thinking through.
When the Clock Strikes Midnight
This is when the magic really happens. As you count down those final ten seconds, you're all gathered around something you built together, something delicious and deliberately festive. The cheese cubes become little edible confetti, the olives are victory bites, and the whole arrangement is proof that you took time to make this night feel special.
- Have napkins ready—cheese cubes and olives are delicious but can get messy
- Keep a small bowl nearby for olive pits if your guests need it
- After midnight, this becomes regular snacking food, so don't stress if it gets a little rearranged
Save Every New Year needs a moment where food becomes memory, where gathering around something you've made together feels like the whole point of the evening. This clock platter does exactly that.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I assemble the clock face?
Arrange round crackers in a circle on a serving board. Place black and green olives alternately on each cracker to represent the clock numbers.
- → What cheeses work best for the clock hands?
Cheddar and Swiss cheeses cut into small cubes work well to create visible and tasty clock hands using toothpicks.
- → Can I customize the platter for dietary needs?
Yes, gluten-free crackers can be substituted and additional garnishes like fresh herbs can be added for flavor and decoration.
- → What is the best way to present the platter?
Use a large round serving board to clearly display the clock design and allow easy access for guests.
- → How long does preparation take?
Preparation is quick, approximately 20 minutes, with no cooking required.