Holly Berry Cluster Platter (Printer View)

A colorful holiday platter of red berries, fresh herbs, and assorted cheeses for easy entertaining.

# Components:

→ Berries

01 - 1 cup fresh red currants or cranberries
02 - 1 cup pomegranate arils
03 - 1/2 cup red grapes, halved

→ Cheese & Accompaniments

04 - 7 oz goat cheese, shaped into small rounds
05 - 3.5 oz brie, cut into cubes
06 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cut into cubes

→ Crackers & Bread

07 - 1 cup assorted crackers
08 - 1/2 baguette, sliced into rounds (optional)

→ Fresh Herbs

09 - 1 large bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
10 - 1 small bunch fresh mint
11 - 1 small bunch fresh rosemary

→ Garnishes

12 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
13 - 2 tbsp honey for drizzling

# Method steps:

01 - Wash and thoroughly dry all berries and fresh herbs.
02 - Place clusters of red currants, pomegranate arils, and halved grapes tightly on a large serving platter to resemble holly berries.
03 - Nestle goat cheese rounds and cubes of brie and aged cheddar among the berry clusters.
04 - Insert sprigs of parsley, mint, and rosemary around the berries and cheeses to mimic holly leaves and greenery.
05 - Fill remaining open spaces with assorted crackers and baguette rounds if using.
06 - Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts over the platter and drizzle honey lightly atop the cheeses as desired.
07 - Present immediately, allowing guests to select from the vibrant arrangement.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping but takes just twenty minutes—you'll feel like a professional caterer without the stress
  • Everything is assembled cold, so you can prepare it hours ahead and greet your guests without flour in your hair
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, making it perfect when you're never quite sure about everyone's dietary needs
  • The combination of creamy cheeses, tart berries, and fresh herbs creates this perfect balance that keeps people reaching for just one more bite
02 -
  • Pat your berries completely dry before assembling, or they'll weep into your platter and stain everything. I learned this the hard way at my first catering gig.
  • Assemble this as close to serving time as possible—ideally within two hours. The herbs release their oils and gradually wilt if they sit too long, especially under warm lights.
  • Keep everything cold. Use a chilled platter if possible, or place the serving platter on top of a slightly larger platter filled with ice. Your cheeses will stay perfectly shaped and creamy, and the berries will stay perky.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts and let them cool completely—this concentrates their flavor and gives you a gourmet edge that store-bought simply cannot match
  • Arrange everything except the honey first, then add the honey drizzle just five minutes before serving. This keeps it from soaking into the cheese and maintains that beautiful golden gleam
  • If you're serving this at a warm venue or outdoor gathering, place the entire platter on a bed of crushed ice in a larger shallow bowl—it keeps everything chilled and looks intentional
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