Festive Holly Berry Cluster (Print)

Vibrant red berries, fresh herbs, and creamy cheeses form a stunning festive platter.

# What you'll need:

→ 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

# Directions:

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 mimic 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 create the look of holly leaves and greenery.
05 - Fill in any open spaces with assorted crackers and baguette rounds if using.
06 - Sprinkle toasted nuts over the platter and drizzle honey lightly over the cheeses if desired.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing guests to pick and choose from the festive arrangement.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on any table, but here's the secret: it takes just 20 minutes and zero cooking. Your guests will think you spent all day on it.
  • Everyone finds something they love. The cheese lovers gravitate to the brie, the health-conscious reach for berries, and the textures keep changing with every bite.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, so you're never scrambling to accommodate guests with dietary needs.
02 -
  • The only thing that can go wrong here is preparing everything too far in advance. Herbs will wilt, berries will lose their shine, and the whole thing starts looking sad. Assemble this within an hour of serving—it's so quick that there's no reason to stress about timing.
  • I learned the hard way that wet ingredients ruin everything. One guest's first touch to a damp berry and suddenly the whole platter feels compromised. Dry everything twice if you have to.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts if you have time—store-bought toasted nuts are fine, but when you toast them yourself, the aroma alone will make your guests feel cared for. Plus, they taste noticeably fresher.
  • The honey drizzle is optional, but it transforms the platter from beautiful to unforgettable. Use a really good honey, something floral or wildflower if you can find it. It makes a difference.
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