Save I'll never forget the New Year's Eve when my sister arrived at my apartment holding a champagne bottle and demanding we do something "different" for midnight. While everyone else was setting out the same old tired appetizers, I found myself arranging crackers in a perfect circle on an old wooden board we'd inherited from my grandmother. As I placed each olive like a tiny numbered jewel, I realized we were creating edible art—something that would make people smile before they even took a bite. That playful clock became our signature moment, and now every December 31st, someone asks me to make it again.
I remember my best friend Sarah's face when she walked in and saw the clock for the first time. She literally stopped in her tracks and said, "Did you make this?" And then she called everyone over like I'd just unveiled a masterpiece. That moment—when something simple you created brought everyone together—that's when I understood this wasn't just appetizer, it was anticipation made edible.
Ingredients
- Round crackers (24 pieces): These are your clock face foundation. I always go for sturdy crackers that can hold the olives without breaking—water crackers or simple round wheat crackers work beautifully. The roundness matters because it echoes the clock concept, and you'll want them substantial enough that they don't get lost among the other flavors.
- Black and green olives (24 each, pitted): These become your clock numbers, and the contrast between them is what makes this visually sing. Use good quality olives—ones you'd actually enjoy eating—because they're tasting the way through your party. I learned the hard way that tiny, mushy olives ruin the whole effect.
- Cheddar cheese (200g, cubed): The warmth of cheddar against the cool olives is a flavor moment. Cut your cubes to be small enough to thread on a toothpick but substantial enough that they don't disappear into the background.
- Swiss cheese (200g, cubed): The Swiss adds a subtle nuttiness that balances the sharpness of the cheddar. Together on a toothpick, they become your clock hands, and that combination is actually restaurant-quality.
- Cherry tomatoes (2 whole): These sit at the center of your clock like little red jewels. They mark the heart of your creation and add that final pop of color that transforms this from appetizer to art.
- Breadsticks (8 optional): These add height and texture. I lean against using them because the beauty is in the simplicity, but if you want to lean into the festive feeling, they frame everything nicely.
- Fresh parsley or rosemary: This is your secret weapon. Those green sprigs fill the gaps and make the whole thing look intentional and thoughtfully designed. It's the difference between "appetizer" and "wow."
Instructions
- Build Your Clock Face:
- This is where the magic begins. Take your round crackers and arrange them in a perfect circle on your serving board, standing them up slightly so they lean inward a bit. Imagine you're placing the numbers 1-12 on an actual clock face—12 straight up at the top, 6 at the bottom, 3 to the right, 9 to the left. Use all 24 crackers if your board allows it, or space them evenly so there's breathing room. The circle should feel intentional, like you've measured it, even if you haven't.
- Crown Each Number:
- Now take your olives—alternate black and green as you go around the circle. Place one olive on top of each cracker, pressing them gently so they nestle into the surface. This is oddly meditative. Black, green, black, green. As you work your way around, you'll start to see your clock come to life. The olives become the numbers, and suddenly you're not just arranging appetizers anymore.
- Mark the Center:
- Place your cherry tomatoes in the very center of the board, right where the two hands would meet. These are the heart of your clock, and they should sit proudly in the middle. I often cut one in half so both pieces can nestle together, creating a little red focal point that everything else points toward.
- Create Your Hands:
- Here's where the cheese becomes functional and beautiful. Thread a cube of cheddar and a cube of Swiss cheese onto a toothpick, alternating colors if you're feeling fancy. Create two of these—one for your hour hand and one for your minute hand. Both should point straight up toward 12, because it's midnight, and midnight is the moment we're all waiting for. Position them so they look balanced, like real clock hands, meeting at the cherry tomato center.
- Fill and Finish:
- Step back and look at your clock. Are there gaps? Fill them with those parsley or rosemary sprigs. Break the breadsticks into pieces if you're using them and tuck them around the edges for height and visual interest. The goal is for it to look abundant and intentional—like you've created an edible celebration.
- Ready to Celebrate:
- Serve this immediately and encourage your guests to nibble as the evening winds down. They'll reach for the cheese first, then the olives, and everyone will feel like they're counting down alongside the clock. There's something about food shaped like time that makes people slow down and actually be present.
Save What I didn't expect was how this simple arrangement would become a backdrop for connection. People gathered around it, pointed at it, took photos of it. Someone's grandmother told me it reminded her of New Year's parties from decades ago. An eight-year-old carefully selected which olive to eat while making a wish. In that moment, I realized the real magic wasn't in the execution—it was in creating something that invited people to pause and feel the anticipation together.
Choosing Your Cheese Wisely
The cheese is really the soul of this platter. I've tried expensive artisan cheeses and simple supermarket varieties, and here's what I learned: you want cheese that tastes good on its own, because people will eat these cubes standing up and talking, not paired with anything else. Cheddar and Swiss are the perfect pairing because they're not trying too hard. The cheddar brings depth and a slight sharpness, while the Swiss is gentle and almost sweet. Together they feel balanced, like a good conversation. If you want to experiment, try mixing white cheddar with gruyere instead—that's a slightly more elegant route if you're hosting people you're trying to impress. But honestly? Classic cheddar and Swiss never disappoint.
The Art of the Arrangement
I used to think the arrangement had to be perfect, mathematically precise, exactly twelve crackers representing exactly twelve hours. Then I realized the beauty is in the intent, not the perfection. What matters is that it reads as a clock to your guests the moment they see it. If you have a slightly irregular circle, if the spacing isn't mathematically perfect, it actually looks more handmade and charming. The olives alternating black and green create the visual rhythm that tells the story. The toothpick hands pointing straight up at midnight are what make people smile. The parsley tucked into gaps shows you cared about making it look intentional. These details matter more than precision.
Making It Shine: Final Touches
This is the dish where small choices make a big difference. The moment before you place it on the table is when you can step back and add those finishing touches that transform it from appetizer to conversation piece. Is the lighting going to hit the olives beautifully? Position it accordingly. Are there any obvious gaps that break the clock illusion? Fill them with herb sprigs. Does the board feel too bare around the outside? Add breadsticks leaning against the edge like decorative sentinels. The final touch is arranging this platter about fifteen minutes before midnight, so it's fresh and beautiful when everyone gathers to count down.
- If you're serving this on a board that's not perfectly round, the clock still works—just position 12 at the top and let the shape be what it is
- Keep a small bowl of extra olives and cheese nearby so as people eat, you can quietly refresh the platter without making it obvious
- Light candles around the platter if it's the centerpiece of your table—the warm glow on the olives and cheese is absolutely beautiful
Save As midnight approached that first year I made this, everyone gathered around the board like it was something precious. Maybe it was just cheese and crackers, or maybe it was the simple fact that we'd all decided to be present for this moment together. Either way, that's when I knew this recipe wasn't really about food at all—it was about creating a reason to pause and celebrate.
Recipe FAQ Section
- → How do I arrange the crackers to resemble a clock?
Place round crackers evenly around the edge of a circular serving board, positioning 12 at the top, 6 at the bottom, and others spaced like clock numbers.
- → What cheeses work best for the hands of the clock?
Use small cubes of cheddar and Swiss cheese; their contrasting colors create a clear visual for the clock hands.
- → Can I substitute gluten-free options for crackers?
Yes, gluten-free crackers can be used to accommodate dietary needs without altering the presentation.
- → How do olives enhance the design?
Alternating black and green olives atop the crackers create distinct ‘numbers’ and add a flavorful touch to the platter.
- → What garnishes complement this platter?
Fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs add color and aroma, while breadsticks offer decorative height and texture.