Festive reindeer antler spread (Printable)

Creamy dip centerpiece surrounded by colorful vegetables and crackers shaped like festive antlers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dip

01 - 8 oz 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 pepper, to taste

→ Vegetables

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

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh dill sprigs or parsley

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a small serving bowl and place it in the center of a large platter.
02 - Lay out the carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, cucumber sticks, and snap peas in two mirrored sweeping curves on either side of the dip bowl to form the shape of antlers.
03 - Intertwine breadsticks and assorted crackers along the vegetable antler lines to add texture and visual interest.
04 - For non-vegetarian guests, weave strips of prosciutto or salami among the other ingredients to enhance flavor and appearance.
05 - Decorate with fresh dill or parsley sprigs for a festive touch and serve immediately with extra crackers on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent all day preparing when really it takes just 25 minutes, giving you more time to enjoy your guests
  • The creamy herb dip is addictive and works with literally everything on the platter, so no one gets left out
  • It's naturally flexible—vegetarian or not, colorful or minimal, it adapts to what you have in your kitchen
02 -
  • Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable—if it's cold straight from the fridge, your dip will be lumpy and you'll spend ten minutes trying to fix it; give it 30 minutes on the counter
  • The vegetables should be cut thin enough to bend slightly without breaking; if they're too thick, they won't arrange gracefully and the whole effect falls apart
  • Make the dip at least an hour before serving and refrigerate it; the flavors meld together beautifully and the texture becomes smoother and more cohesive
03 -
  • If you want extra flavor dimension, add a teaspoon of horseradish or a pinch of smoked paprika to the dip—it adds intrigue without overwhelming the other flavors
  • Keep everything cold until the moment you serve; a cold platter and cold dip means everything stays crisp and fresh throughout your gathering, and that matters more than you'd think
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