cinderellasapron 
Today we are making 8 of my favorite Holiday appetizers! My family has a tradition on the weekend after Thanksgiving where we have “Douver Day” (my Grandma’s term) and all make appetizers, decorate the tree, and watch Christmas Vacation. We’ve created some great recipes over the years, and with it being party season, I wanted to share some with you! We will be making Caramelized Onion & Bacon Dip, Classic Chex Mix, Savory Spiced Pecans, Cranberry Brie Bites, Sausage Balls, Pumpkin Cheese Balls, Sweet & Salty Bacon Bark, and Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
Caramelized Onion & Bacon Dip
Sweet, golden caramelized onions, smoky bacon, and creamy gruyere cheese make this dip a crowd pleaser! Serve with toasted bread slices or chips.
Ingredients
- 5 strips bacon
- 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- pinch fresh black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until golden. Remove, crumble, and set aside.
- Turn the heat down to medium low and add the onions into the same skillet.
- Sprinkle with sugar and salt. Stir to combine, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until golden and caramelized.
- Stir in fresh thyme and cook an additional minute.
- In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and pinch of black pepper. Stir in the bacon, onions, and gruyere cheese.
- Transfer to a small, greased casserole dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Classic Chex Mix
My parents have been making this Chex mix recipe every holiday season since the early 80's, and it is classic comfort, a must at parties! (We would always stand around the kitchen, eating it right out of the hot pan because we couldn't wait!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 5 cups Chex cereal (we like a mix of corn and rice)
- 3 cups cheerios
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1 cup pretzels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Melt the butter (my parents do it right in the 13×9 inch pan in the oven, but microwave works too). Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire. Whisk in the pan until combined.
- Add in the cereals, pretzels, and peanuts. Stir until everything is well coated.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Savory Spiced Pecans
These pecans are so toasty, savory and full of Holiday flavors. They're great with cocktails.
Ingredients
- 4 cups pecan halves
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Whisk together all ingredients but the pecans. Pour over the pecans, toss to coat.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and pour pecans on in a single layer.
- Bake about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cranberry Brie Bites
These are a must at our holiday parties. Creamy, melty brie with tart cranberry sauce in a flaky puff pastry cup.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 ounce round brie, rind removed
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 12 equal squares. Cut brie into 24 cubes.
- Place each puff pastry square into a mini muffin tin. Place a cube of brie and spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Sprinkle with fresh thyme.
Bisquick Sausage Balls
This classic appetizer is so addicting! Mini biscuit balls packed full of sweet Italian sausage and sharp cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix
- 1 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage
- 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the sausage, bisquick, cheese, and milk. Mix to combine. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on baking sheet.
- Bake 20- 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Pumpkin Cheese Balls
These adorable mini pumpkins have a pimiento cheese type of filling, and rolled in crunchy nacho cheese chips.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup roasted peppers, drained and chopped
- 3 green onions, finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup nacho cheese chips, crushed
- pretzel sticks and parsley for decoration
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, roasted peppers, onions, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Chill for 1 hour.
- Roll into 1 to 2 tablespoon balls. Roll into the crushed nacho cheese chips.
- Using the side of a skewer, press into the sides of the balls to make indents like a pumpkin. Place a pretzel in the top for a stem, and a parsley leaf.
Sweet & Salty Bacon Bark
This is my most requested appetizer when going to parties. Bacon layered with maple syrup and brown sugar on top of crispy crescent roll dough. Candied bacon on a whole 'nother level!
Ingredients
- 10 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 8 ounce sheet crescent roll dough
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on the sheet pan, pressing out to make it thin. Using a fork, poke holes all over the dough.
- Bake 5-8 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Remove, and drizzle with half the syrup and brown sugar. Sprinkle on the bacon, and top with remaining syrup and brown sugar.
- Bake for about 20 minutes. Cool, and cut into pieces. If you like it extra crunchy (like I do), bake the pieces on a sheet pan for another 5 minutes to get all of the edges crispy!
Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This dip is so easy and perfect to bring hot to a party.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces baby spinach, chopped
- 13 ounce jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
Instructions
- In a greased slow cooker, add all ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for about 2 hours, or high for 1 hour. Stir, and cook an additional 15 minutes if cheese is not melted.
- Serve warm. (We like to eat it with tortilla chips and veggies!).
