Save to Pinterest I'll never forget the year my friend Sarah brought this clock platter to our New Year's Eve party—everyone gathered around it like it was the centerpiece of the evening, which it absolutely was. There's something magical about turning appetizers into art, and this playful clock face made from crackers, cheese, and olives became the moment we all stopped checking our phones and started actually celebrating together. Now whenever December rolls around, someone always texts: "Are you making the clock platter?"
What made this recipe stick with me was watching my nephew carefully place each olive like he was setting actual clock hands, then announcing to the whole room that he'd made it. Suddenly this wasn't just a platter—it was something he'd created, and his pride was as festive as the night itself.
Ingredients
- 24 round crackers: These are your clock numbers, so choose ones sturdy enough to hold the weight of olives without crumbling—I learned this the hard way with ultra-thin wafers
- 8 breadsticks (optional): These add height and visual interest around the edges, making the whole thing feel more intentional and festive
- 200 g cheddar cheese cubes: The warmth of cheddar against the cool olives creates a flavor contrast that makes each bite more interesting
- 200 g Swiss cheese cubes: Its nuttiness and those little holes make it visually distinct from the cheddar, doubling the visual appeal
- 24 black olives and 24 green olives (pitted): The two colors are essential—they're not just olives, they're your clock markings, and the contrast is what makes this work
- 2 cherry tomatoes: These sit at the center as your clock's pivot point, and honestly, they're almost decorative except for that one crucial positioning job
- Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs: These fill the gaps and soften the whole look, making it feel abundant rather than carefully constructed
- 1 large round serving board (about 30 cm diameter): A wooden or ceramic round board is non-negotiable—it's not just a platter, it's literally your clock face
Instructions
- Build your clock face:
- Imagine the board as an actual clock. Start by placing your 24 crackers evenly around the edge—12 at the very top, 6 at the bottom, 3 on the right, 9 on the left, then fill in the remaining positions. This should feel rhythmic and balanced, like you're drawing an invisible circle.
- Mark each number:
- This is where it gets fun—place one black and one green olive alternately on top of each cracker. Your guests will get it immediately: olives equal numbers. The alternating colors matter because it gives your eyes something to follow around the clock.
- Set the center point:
- Position your two cherry tomatoes right in the middle of the board. This is the pivot point where your clock hands will meet, so give yourself some space to work around it.
- Create the clock hands:
- Skewer your cheese cubes onto toothpicks—alternate cheddar and Swiss so each hand looks like a little chessboard. Here's the secret: one toothpick points straight up toward 12 (the hour hand), and the other also points toward 12 (since it's midnight). You want both hands together at midnight for that perfect New Year's moment. Anchor them gently in or next to those cherry tomatoes.
- Add the finishing touches:
- Tuck breadsticks around the edges if you're using them—they lean outward like clock numerals. Fill any remaining gaps with parsley or rosemary sprigs. Step back and look at it. Does it feel festive? Does it look like something worth eating? If yes, you're done.
- Serve with intention:
- Bring it out about thirty minutes before midnight. Let people graze on it, ask questions about it, take photos. When the countdown begins, this becomes the focal point—suddenly everyone's gathered around your creation, eating cheese and olives while counting down to a new year.
Save to Pinterest There was this moment last year when someone's grandmother leaned over to look at the clock platter and said, "Look at that—time stops for just a moment before we go forward together." Everyone got quiet for a second, and I realized that this little appetizer had become almost ceremonial, something that marked the transition between years.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this platter is that it bends to your preferences without losing its personality. If your crowd loves spicy food, use pepperoncini instead of some of the olives. If you're cooking vegetarian for everyone, that's already handled. Use different cheese varieties if cheddar and Swiss aren't your thing—manchego and gouda would be gorgeous and still give you that visual contrast. Some people add cubed salami around the edges for non-vegetarians, and honestly, it looks beautiful and tastes right for a party. The point isn't to follow my version exactly; it's to make a clock that feels like your celebration.
Timing and Prep Strategy
Here's what I do the night before: I cut all the cheese into cubes, pit all the olives, and leave them in containers. The morning of the party, I cube the cherry tomatoes, and then thirty minutes before guests arrive, I spend those relaxing twenty minutes assembling this. It's meditative, actually—arranging crackers in a circle, placing olives methodically. By the time people arrive, I'm calm and the platter is ready. That's a better version of me as a host than if I'm still scrambling in the kitchen ten minutes before midnight.
The Story Behind the Celebration
What I've learned from making this platter year after year is that New Year's Eve is really about moments of togetherness—marking time, acknowledging transitions, and gathering around something intentional. This clock is all of those things at once. It's not fancy, and it doesn't require special skills. It just requires you to show up, arrange some simple ingredients in a circle, and create something your guests will remember and want to recreate in their own homes.
- Make this at least an hour before you need it so flavors can mingle and you're not rushing
- If you can't find perfectly round crackers, cut larger ones into circles with a glass or cookie cutter—a little extra work pays off in presentation
- Take a photo of it before anyone eats from it; you'll want to remember how beautiful it looked
Save to Pinterest At the end of the night, after everyone's toasted and the clock hands are long eaten, someone always says, "We need to do this again next year." And that's really all you need to know about this recipe.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I create the clock face with crackers and olives?
Arrange 24 round crackers evenly in a circle to represent clock numbers. Place one black and one green olive alternately on each cracker for contrast and visual interest.
- → What cheeses work best for the clock hands?
Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, cut into small cubes and skewered with toothpicks, create distinct and colorful clock hands that stand out on the platter.
- → Can I make this platter gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the crackers with gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary needs without compromising presentation or taste.
- → What additional garnishes can enhance this platter?
Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs add a pop of green and freshness, while breadsticks can provide extra texture and decoration around the clock face.
- → How long does preparation take?
The entire setup takes about 20 minutes and requires no cooking, making it quick and simple for last-minute entertaining.