Save A festive dessert platter featuring elegant, sparkling treats arranged in the shape of a clock—perfect for counting down to midnight on New Years Eve.
This platter has become a centerpiece at our New Years celebrations, always impressing guests with its beauty and taste.
Ingredients
- Cookies and Pastries: 12 large round shortbread cookies (store-bought or homemade), 8 mini chocolate éclairs, 8 mini cream puffs
- Fruits: 1 cup seedless green grapes, 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved, 1 cup blueberries
- Sparkling Decorations: 1/2 cup edible gold or silver sprinkles, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, edible gold leaf (optional)
- Dips and Extras: 1 cup whipped cream, 1 cup chocolate ganache or chocolate sauce, 12 chocolate numbers (1–12) or melted chocolate for piping numbers
Instructions
- Arrange Cookies:
- Arrange the 12 shortbread cookies in a large circle on a serving platter to mimic the hours on a clock face.
- Add Numbers:
- Pipe or stick chocolate numbers (1–12) onto each cookie, or use melted chocolate to write numbers directly.
- Place Pastries:
- Place the mini éclairs and cream puffs attractively between and around the cookies for added variety.
- Fill Center:
- Fill the center of the platter with grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, arranging them in a visually pleasing pattern.
- Sprinkle Decorations:
- Sprinkle edible gold or silver decorations over the fruits and pastries for a sparkling effect.
- Dust Sugar:
- Lightly dust the entire platter with powdered sugar for a snowy look.
- Add Dips:
- Add dollops of whipped cream and chocolate ganache in small bowls around the platter for dipping.
- Accent:
- Optionally, accent with flakes of edible gold leaf for extra glamour.
- Create Clock Hands:
- Just before midnight, use two thin chocolate sticks or piped chocolate strips to form clock hands pointing at 12.
Save This platter brings the family together every New Years Eve, creating joyful moments as we count down to midnight.
Required Tools
Large round serving platter, piping bag or zip-top bag for chocolate numbers, small bowls for dips, and a sifter for powdered sugar.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, soy, and possibly nuts in pastries or decorations. Check all labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 285, Total Fat 14 g, Carbohydrates 36 g, Protein 4 g per serving.
Save Enjoy this dazzling dessert platter as the perfect festive finale to your celebration.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I create the clock numbers on the cookies?
Use chocolate numbers if available or pipe melted chocolate onto each cookie to form numbers 1 through 12.
- → Can I substitute the fruits used in the platter?
Yes, seasonal fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or mandarin slices can be used to suit preference and availability.
- → What are good alternatives for edible sparkles?
Edible gold or silver sprinkles add shimmer, but you can also use colored sugar crystals or freeze-dried fruit dust for decoration.
- → Is this platter suitable for gluten-free diets?
To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free cookies and pastries while ensuring all decorations meet gluten-free standards.
- → How should the platter be assembled for the best presentation?
Arrange the round cookies evenly to form a clock face, place pastries between them, center fresh fruits inside, and decorate with sparkling elements and dips around.
- → What tools help with decorating the platter?
A piping or zip-top bag is handy for chocolate numbers, and a sifter helps dust powdered sugar evenly over the platter.