New Years Clock Countdown (Printable)

A playful platter with crackers, olives, and cheese cubes arranged like a clock for New Years fun.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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
08 - Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs (optional)

→ Extras (optional)

09 - 1 small round wooden or ceramic serving board, about 12 inches in diameter

# Steps:

01 - Position the round crackers evenly in a circle around the serving board edge 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 at the center of the board to represent the clock’s center point.
04 - Skewer cubes of cheddar and Swiss cheese with toothpicks and arrange them on the board as clock hands set to midnight, with one hand pointing straight up.
05 - Optional: place breadsticks or additional garnishes around the board and fill gaps with parsley or rosemary sprigs for extra flair.
06 - Serve immediately and encourage guests to snack as you countdown to midnight.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks impressive but takes only 20 minutes to assemble—no cooking required, just arranging and creativity
  • Your guests will remember the playfulness of eating from a clock face as the countdown begins, making it memorable far beyond the taste
  • You can prepare it entirely ahead of time, leaving you free to enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen
02 -
  • Assemble this no more than 2 hours before serving—the crackers will begin to soften from the moisture of the olives and cheese, and you want everything to maintain its texture and the cheese to stay firm
  • If your cherry tomatoes feel unstable in the center, slice a thin piece off the bottom so they sit flat and won't roll. This tiny detail prevents the whole centerpiece from looking precarious
03 -
  • Chill your cheese cubes for at least 30 minutes before assembling—cold cheese is less likely to slip off toothpicks and maintains its shape throughout the party as it warms slowly
  • If your crackers start to soften slightly during the party, that's actually ideal—they become easier to eat and the flavors of the cheese and olives blend together more readily
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