The Holly Berry Cluster (Printable)

Vibrant red berries and fresh herbs artfully arranged for a festive, eye-catching holiday platter.

# What You Need:

→ Berries

01 - 1 cup fresh red currants or cranberries
02 - 1 cup pomegranate arils
03 - 0.5 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 - 0.5 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 - 0.25 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
13 - 2 tbsp honey, for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - Wash and thoroughly dry all berries and fresh herbs.
02 - Place clusters of red berries in tight, organic groupings on a large serving platter to resemble holly berries.
03 - Nestle small goat cheese rounds and cubes of brie and aged cheddar among the berry clusters.
04 - Tuck sprigs of parsley, mint, and rosemary around the berries and cheeses to mimic holly leaves and greenery.
05 - Fill any open spaces on the platter with assorted crackers and baguette rounds, if using.
06 - Sprinkle toasted nuts over the arrangement and drizzle honey lightly over the cheeses if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's practically fool-proof—there's no cooking involved, just beautiful arranging that even beginners can master
  • The combination of tart berries, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs creates a flavor symphony that guests never expect from an appetizer platter
  • It looks so stunning that people actually think you spent hours in the kitchen when you really spent twenty minutes
  • Every bite feels intentional and special, like someone cared enough to craft each element perfectly
02 -
  • Dry your berries and herbs thoroughly—moisture is the enemy of visual appeal and causes wilting. I learned this the hard way when I made this for a holiday party and everything looked sad by dessert time.
  • Arrange everything just before serving, or cover loosely with plastic wrap if you need to prep ahead. The fresher it looks, the more impact it has when guests first see it.
  • The goat cheese rounds can be shaped an hour ahead and refrigerated, which takes pressure off during final assembly. Same with cutting all your cheeses.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts—even just five minutes in a 350°F oven transforms them from good to absolutely unforgettable, and the warm, toasty aroma signals to your guests that you made something with intention
  • Keep everything cold until the last moment, and use a cold platter if possible—warm ingredients wilt and look sad, cold ingredients stay perky and beautiful
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