Festive Reindeer Antler Spread (Printer View)

Visually festive appetizer with creamy center surrounded by colorful vegetables, crackers, and optional cured meats.

# Components:

→ Dip

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 large carrot, cut into thin sticks
09 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
11 - 1 cucumber, cut into thin sticks
12 - 1 cup snap peas

→ Crackers & Breads

13 - 1 cup breadsticks, halved
14 - 1 cup assorted crackers

→ Cured Meats (optional)

15 - 3.5 oz prosciutto or salami, sliced into strips

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh dill sprigs or parsley

# Method steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a small serving bowl and set aside.
02 - On a large serving platter, place the dip bowl in the center. Arrange carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, cucumber sticks, and snap peas in two mirrored sweeping curves on either side to resemble reindeer antlers.
03 - Intertwine halved breadsticks and assorted crackers along the vegetable curves to enhance texture and visual appeal.
04 - For a non-vegetarian variation, weave strips of prosciutto or salami evenly among the existing ingredients on the platter.
05 - Adorn the arrangement with fresh dill sprigs or parsley. Serve immediately with extra crackers on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but honestly, it takes just 25 minutes and requires zero cooking skills
  • Your guests will actually eat their vegetables because they're too busy admiring how beautiful everything looks
  • The creamy, garlicky dip is addictive enough that people forget to ask if you made it from scratch
  • It works for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, so nobody feels left out
02 -
  • Don't prep this more than 2 hours ahead, or the vegetables will start releasing moisture and things will get sad and wilted. Fresh and crisp is everything here.
  • If your cream cheese isn't truly soft, your dip will have a gritty texture that screams 'I rushed this.' Take the time. It matters.
  • Cut all your vegetables slightly thicker than you think you need to. Thin carrot sticks snap, and there's nothing worse than serving broken vegetables at a fancy party.
03 -
  • Room-temperature cream cheese is everything. This is not the moment to cut corners or rush. Give it the full 30 minutes on the counter, and your dip will be silky instead of grainy.
  • Arrange your vegetables while your platter is on the counter at eye level, not after you've already placed the dip bowl. It's easier to see the symmetry and balance that way.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, the dip can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Beyond that, move it to the fridge. Food safety matters at parties too.
Return