Holly Berry Cluster Platter (Printable)

A colorful arrangement of berries, cheeses, and herbs creating a festive holiday platter.

# What You Need:

→ Berries

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

→ Cheese and 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 and bread

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

→ Fresh herbs for holly greenery

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 tablespoons honey for drizzling

# How-To:

01 - Wash and thoroughly dry all berries and herbs.
02 - On a large serving platter, arrange clusters of red berries in tight, organic groupings to resemble holly berries.
03 - Nestle small rounds of goat cheese and cubes of brie and cheddar among the berry clusters.
04 - Tuck sprigs of parsley, mint, and rosemary around the berries and cheeses to simulate holly leaves and greenery.
05 - Fill any open areas with assorted crackers and optional baguette rounds.
06 - Sprinkle toasted nuts over the arrangement and lightly drizzle honey over the cheeses if desired.
07 - Present immediately to allow guests to select from the festive display.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a total showstopper that takes barely any cooking skill—just an artistic eye and good ingredients arranged with intention.
  • Nobody needs to know this came together in twenty minutes; your guests will think you're a master entertainer.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and can easily go vegan, making it inclusive for every guest at your table.
  • The visual presentation speaks for itself, turning a simple appetizer into edible art that sets the festive mood.
02 -
  • Pat everything absolutely dry before assembling—any moisture will ruin the aesthetic and cause herbs to wilt within minutes. I learned this the hard way at a dinner party when my beautiful platter started looking sad within thirty minutes.
  • Assemble this no more than thirty minutes before serving. The herbs will stay fresher, the cheese won't warm up too much, and the berries will maintain their jewel-like appearance. This is truly a last-minute project, which is why it's so perfect.
  • Keep your platter in a cool spot (not the refrigerator, which is too cold) until guests arrive. Room temperature actually shows off flavors better, but you want everything to still be cool to the touch.
03 -
  • Buy your berries and herbs the morning of your gathering—they'll be at peak freshness and firmness, which is essential for that jewel-like appearance and for holding up throughout your event.
  • If you're making this ahead and need to transport it, arrange everything on a platter at home, then cover loosely with plastic wrap and keep it in your coolest spot. I've successfully transported these fully assembled in my car to parties, and the careful arrangement stayed pristine.
  • The honey drizzle is optional but transformative—it catches light beautifully and adds a sophisticated shine that signals 'I put thought into this.' Don't skip it if you have quality honey on hand.
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