Full disclosure: I LOVE the holidays. I love cheesy Hallmark movies and the way my kids’ voices get higher as the holiday season approaches. I love trimming my tree and decorating my house. And yes, I even love our elf on the shelf (I warned you—I’m super festive). But what I love the most is gathering with friends and family.
Know what I don’t love? Being stuck in the kitchen for hours ahead of—or even worse—during a party. Luckily, I have a few tricks—AKA easy appetizers —up my sleeve. These festive apps are surprisingly simple to make, BUT sound/look like you put a lot of effort into them. Happy Holidays!
Brie En Croute
Don’t be fooled by this fancy-sounding appetizer. It’s beyond easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. The hardest part? Waiting to dig into this delicious hors d'oeuvre.
Ingredients:
¼ cup fig jam, plus extra for optional garnish (You could also use raspberry or strawberry jam if you prefer.)
1 8 oz wheel of brie
1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, defrosted
1 egg beaten + 1 Tbsp water (egg wash)
Crackers or sliced bread (For Serving)
Optional fresh rosemary to garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Roll out puff pastry sheet into a square. You want it to be about double the size of your Brie. (Pro tip: sprinkle a little flour on top of your pasty sheet so the rolling pin doesn’t stick.)
3. Place Brie in center of pastry sheet.
4. Spread fig jam over top of Brie.
5. Fold four corners and sides of the pastry sheet around the Brie, pressing the dough together to create seams, until the brie is completely wrapped.
6. Brush with egg wash.
7. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and Brie is melty.
8. Let sit for at least 45 minutes before serving (or else the cheese will all ooze out).
9. Garnish with a dollop of jam and rosemary if desired, and serve with crackers or a sliced baguette.
Mini Herbed Cheese Balls
There’s just something I love about a cheese ball. They’re fun and festive and delightfully retro. And you guessed it? Easy as can be! These are topped with fresh herbs, but the possibilities are endless. Chopped nuts or everything-but-the-bagel seasoning are delicious too!
Up the glam factor with some extra festive toothpicks!
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
8 oz shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup finely chopped fresh dill
Crackers for serving
Optional cherry tomatoes for garnish
Toothpicks
Instructions:
1. Mix together cream cheese and cheddar cheese until well combined.
2. Take 1 tbsp of cheese mixture and form into a ball. (You should get about 20 balls.)
3. Chill balls for 30 minutes.
4. Combine fresh herbs.
5. Roll each ball in fresh herb mixture until well coated.
6. Put a toothpick into each ball, and place on a platter. Serve with crackers.
Prosciutto Wrapped Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates
These have been a go-to appetizer of mine for years and are always a hit at parties. This recipe calls for blue cheese, but feel free to substitute goat cheese if you prefer.
Ingredients:
24 Pitted dates
4 oz blue cheese crumbles
3 oz (6 slices) prosciutto, each sliced into 4 pieces
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Slice the center of each date vertically, without cutting entirely through the date, to create a small pocket.
4. Stuff date pockets with a pinch of blue cheese.
5. Wrap each date with one slice of prosciutto.
6. Bake until cheese is melted and prosciutto is crispy, about 7 or 8 minutes.
Susan Bowser
Susan Bowser is a former NBC TODAY show producer. She is a freelance writer and food blogger at SusanBCooking.com. She’s passionate about making real food for real life, showing that healthy eating can be delicious, and sharing recipes that her whole family enjoys. Find more inspiration by following her on Instagram @SusanBCooking.
