Reindeer Antler Spread (Print)

Creamy dip center with colorful veggies, crackers, and meats arranged in festive mirrored antler shapes.

# What you'll need:

→ Dip

01 - 8 ounces 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 freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 large carrot, cut into thin sticks
09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced 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 ounces prosciutto or salami, sliced into strips

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh dill sprigs or parsley

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a small serving bowl and place at the center of a large platter.
02 - Form two mirrored, sweeping curves on either side of the dip using carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, cucumber sticks, and snap peas to resemble antlers.
03 - Intertwine breadsticks and assorted crackers along the vegetable curves for texture and visual appeal.
04 - For a non-vegetarian variation, weave strips of prosciutto or salami among the arranged ingredients.
05 - Decorate with dill sprigs or parsley for a festive finish and serve immediately with extra crackers on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes just 25 minutes, making you look like you spent hours in the kitchen when you really didn't
  • Every bite is fresh and crunchy, with a creamy center that keeps people coming back for more
  • It feeds a crowd without heating up your kitchen, which is pure magic during the holidays
  • You can make it vegetarian or add meat depending on who's coming, so everyone feels included
02 -
  • Don't prep this more than a couple of hours ahead. The vegetables will start releasing water and your arrangement will look droopy instead of proud and tall.
  • If you're worried about the dip separating, stir it one more time right before serving. It'll stay perfectly creamy and never look neglected.
03 -
  • Keep your platter in a cool place until the last moment—a chilled platter makes vegetables stay crispier longer and keeps the dip from getting soft
  • Cut your vegetables right before assembly if you can. Even an hour in the fridge can soften them slightly, and you want everything snappy and fresh-tasting when people dig in
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