cinderellasapron 
Today we are making 8 more Holiday Appetizers! Easy, festive, and fun. We will be making my Caprese Christmas Wreath, Italian Sausage Bread, Grandma’s Cheesy Bacon Breadsticks, Jam and Goat Cheese Pinwheels, French Onion Soup Cups, Slow Cooker Holiday Jelly Meatballs, Baked Clam Dip, and Christmas Tree Pull Apart Garlic Knots.
Caprese Christmas Wreath
This festive caprese salad is a lighter appetizer that's great for any dinner or party!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 10-12 ounces mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh basil, divided
Instructions
- To make the balsamic glaze, combine the balsamic and brown sugar in a pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until reduced by half and syrupy.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Drizzle with oil, and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the herbs, salt, and pepper, and stir to coat. Chop 1/2 cup of the fresh basil and sprinkle on top.
- On a large plate or round serving platter, place a small ramekin in the center, and fill with cooled balsamic glaze. Place the caprese salad all around the outside to form a wreath.
- Take the remaining whole basil leaves and place around the outer edge of the dish to look like a wreath.
Italian Sausage Bread
Pizza dough rolled up with sweet Italian sausage and lots of cheese! Serve with warm marinara for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 large pizza doughs
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, whisked
- 2 cups marinara sauce, for serving
- sprinkle of garlic powder, basil, oregano, and parsley for the tops
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until softened.
- Season with salt, pepper, and parsley. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
- Add in the sausage and cook, breaking up into pieces, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Stretch out the 2 pizza doughs. Divide the sausage mixture between them, leaving a 1 inch border, and then sprinkle with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Brush the edges of the dough with egg wash.
- Roll up the dough like a cinnamon roll, into a log shape. Pinch together the seam, and place seam side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Tuck the ends of the dough underneath.
- Brush the tops of the breads with more egg wash, and sprinkle garlic powder, oregano, basil, and parsley on the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Grandma’s Cheesy Bacon Breadsticks
This is my Grandma's recipe for her famous crispy, cheesy bacon breadsticks. Perfect for the Holidays!
Ingredients
- 24 hard sesame breadsticks
- 12 slices bacon, cut in half
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, divided
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- (If you like your bacon more chewy, skip this step) Par bake the bacon for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Combine 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and black pepper on a plate.
- Wrap a piece of the bacon around each breadstick, and dredge in cheese.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake an additional 20 minutes, or until crispy.
- While still piping hot, roll in the other 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Serve warm or cold!
Jam and Goat Cheese Pinwheels
Sweet, salty, and tangy. The perfect bite sized appetizer for any Holiday party!
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
- 1/2 cup jam or preserves (fig or raspberry is my favorite)
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 egg, whisked
Instructions
- Spread the jam on the puff pastry sheet, leaving a 1 inch border.
- Sprinkle on goat cheese, brown sugar, and half the fresh thyme.
- Roll up into a log, and wrap with parchment or plastic wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice into 1/2 inch rounds, and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
French Onion Soup Cups
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 onions, thinly sliced in half moons
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pinch black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream or half and half
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium low heat, combine the oil and butter. Add the onions and sprinkle with sugar and salt. Cook low and slow to caramelize the onions, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with pepper and fresh thyme. Add the broth and simmer until mostly reduced.
- Stir in the cream. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut each dough into 6 squares. Grease a muffin tin, and place dough in each cup.
- Divide the filling between the cups, and sprinkle with gruyere cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Slow Cooker Holiday Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 24 ounces chili sauce
- 1 1/2 cups grape jelly
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 pounds frozen meatballs
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, combine the chili sauce, jelly, and Worcestershire. Pour in meatballs, and stir to coat.
- Cook on low 8 hours, or high for 4 hours.
Baked Clam Dip
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 2 cans chopped clams, with juice
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup breadrumbs
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat, and add onions. Cook until soft and translucent. Turn off the heat, and stir in remaining ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour the clam mixture into a greased casserole dish. Bake 35-40 minutes.
- Serve with lemon wedges and crackers.
Christmas Tree Pull Apart Garlic Knots
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 7 mozzarella sticks, cut in 5 pieces
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon fresh basil
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Stretch the dough into a large rectangle. Cut into 7 rows by 5 rows.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place a piece of cheese in the middle of each dough square, and shape into a ball. Place seam side down on baking sheet, in the shape of a Christmas tree.
- Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the butter, parmesan, basil, parsley, and garlic powder.
- Drizzle all over the top of the Christmas tree. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
