During the holiday season, when it becomes frosty outside and flurries are in the air, I love to stay cozy by making some of my favorite holiday treats. Every holiday, I like to make festive appetizers for my family and friends. Sometimes, it is pulled from a family cookbook, and other times it is a new creation.
If you are looking for new recipes to try during the holidays, read along for some of my favorites and the traditions behind some!
Caprese Wreath
If you are anything like me and are obsessed with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, this spin on a classic caprese salad is right for you! This recipe calls for simple ingredients and a quick prep time!
Ingredients:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Small mozzarella pearls
- Basil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Olive oil
- Seasonings of your choice
Making the Wreath:
- You will first need a large circular serving plate, or as big as needed for the party you are serving.
- Take the fresh basil and lay it around the outer layer of the plate to emulate leaves on a wreath. You should have about two layers of basil once finished.
- Once the circle shape of the basil takes the shape of a wreath, you will need a small bowl to place in the middle of the plate. This is where you will put the balsamic vinegar for dipping.
- Next, wash, rinse, and drain the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls. In a separate bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, and other seasons you’d like.
- Remove the tomatoes and mozzarella pearls from the bowl and place them onto the serving plate on top of the basil. Organize them around the bowl that has the balsamic vinegar in it and sprinkle any additional basil.
- Enjoy!
Tip:
- Keep toothpicks handy so that your party can create their own caprese skewer!
Cranberry Brie Bites
These cranberry brie bites are an easy appetizer to start your holidays off right! You will need only a few things.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz tube of Crescent Dough
- 8 oz wheel of brie
- ½ cup of cranberry cause
- ¼ cup of chopped pecans
Creating the perfect bite:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray to help eliminate the dough sticking to the tin.
- On a flat surface, roll out the Crescent Dough large enough to cut it into small squares. Depending on the size of your tin, cut accordingly to fit the amount you can create, and place the dough into the spots.
- Begin cutting the brie into small pieces so they can fit into the dough in your muffin tin.
- Top your bites with a drizzle of cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of pecans for crunch.
- Bake for fifteen minutes or until the pastry is a beautiful golden color.
- Enjoy!
Always End With a Sweet Treat: Buckeyes!
On Christmas, my grandma reveals the dozens of cookies she has made over the few days of preparation. With endless options to choose from laid out on snowflake plates, my first pick is always a Buckeye – a delicious peanut butter and chocolate creation.
Ingredients:
- Creamy peanut butter
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate
Making the treat:
- First, in a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and powdered sugar. Mix until combined.
- Slowly start pouring in the powdered sugar while mixing continuously until a thicker dough begins to form.
- Once you have dough, take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a small ball in the palm of your hand. Continue rolling until the mixture is gone, then place them in the refrigerator to chill.
- Begin to melt the chocolate in a separate bowl. Once melted, remove the balls from the refrigerator. Using a toothpick, dip the chilled peanut butter ball into the chocolate and place it on a sheet to once again chill in the refrigerator until they are ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
During the holidays, my family and I love to stay active in the kitchen and bake treats. I hope these recipes will bring you holiday cheer and a full belly! Thank you for reading this week’s holiday blog. Happy holidays!
By Tara Roumes