Holly Berry Cluster Platter (Printable)

A colorful berry and cheese arrangement with fresh herbs, ideal for elegant holiday entertaining.

# 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 simulate holly leaves and greenery.
05 - Fill open spaces on the platter with assorted crackers and optional baguette rounds.
06 - Sprinkle toasted nuts over the platter and drizzle honey lightly over the cheeses if desired.
07 - Present immediately to guests for self-serving from the festive arrangement.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when honestly, you spent twenty minutes—and that's the real secret we're keeping
  • There's something deeply satisfying about building something beautiful that's also completely edible and shareable
  • Every element can be prepped ahead, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of hiding in the kitchen
  • It works for vegetarians, it's naturally gluten-free if you skip the crackers, and it's fancy enough for any occasion
02 -
  • Pat everything dry before you start—wet berries look dull, and damp herbs wilt faster than you'd expect
  • Arrange on the platter no more than thirty minutes before serving; anything longer and the herbs start to look tired
  • The goat cheese rounds can be formed and chilled hours ahead; brie and cheddar are fine at room temperature and actually taste better that way
  • If you're nervous about it looking "good enough," remember that imperfection is actually what makes it look gathered and intentional, not sterile
03 -
  • If you're making this for a warm afternoon, chill the platter in the refrigerator for thirty minutes before arranging; everything stays fresher longer and looks crisper
  • Use a mix of berry sizes and colors—the variation in depth creates visual richness that makes people lean in closer
  • Honey drizzle is optional but genuinely transformative; it adds shine and a touch of sweetness that makes the whole thing feel more luxurious
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