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 highlight of our New Years celebrations, bringing sparkle and sweetness to our countdown.
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.
- Add Fruits:
- Fill the center of the platter with grapes, strawberries, and blueberries arranging them in a visually pleasing pattern.
- Decorate:
- Sprinkle edible gold or silver decorations over the fruits and pastries for a sparkling effect.
- Dust with 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.
- Add Gold Leaf:
- Optionally accent with flakes of edible gold leaf for extra glamour.
- Form Clock Hands:
- Just before midnight use two thin chocolate sticks or piped chocolate strips to form clock hands pointing at 12.
Save This recipe always brings our family together to share sweet moments and countdown celebrations.
Notes
For a gluten-free version use gluten-free cookies and pastries. Add macarons or meringues for extra color and texture. Pair with a glass of sparkling wine or non-alcoholic cider.
Required Tools
Large round serving platter, piping bag or zip-top bag (for chocolate numbers), small bowls (for dips), 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 especially in store-bought pastries and decorations.
Save This sparkling clock platter is a showstopper that’s easy to assemble and sure to ignite holiday cheer.
Kitchen Questions
- → How do I make the chocolate numbers for the clock?
Use melted chocolate piped with a fine tip or pipe bag directly onto the cookies to create numbers 1 through 12. Alternatively, use pre-made chocolate numbers if available.
- → Can I substitute the fruits used on the platter?
Yes, seasonal fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or sliced kiwi work well and add vibrant color and flavor variety to the arrangement.
- → What is the best way to create sparkling decorations?
Edible gold or silver sprinkles scattered over the platter combined with a light dusting of powdered sugar create a festive shimmer that enhances visual appeal.
- → How to serve the whipped cream and chocolate ganache?
Place the whipped cream and chocolate ganache in small bowls around the platter for easy dipping alongside the cookies and pastries.
- → Can I prepare this platter ahead of time?
Assemble the platter shortly before serving to maintain freshness, especially of the fruits and whipped cream. Cookies and pastries can be prepared or sourced in advance.