Holiday Snacks for Your Christmas Party
December 06, 2011
Every party needs snacks, so it's time to turn you into a Christmas cook!
Appetizers are what get a party started! These snacks make it easy for people to have conversations, even if they feel forced. It doesn't make much sense, but having some cheese and crackers in your mouth makes it a lot easier to converse with your Aunt Millie for some reason!
Here are a few ideas for holiday snacks for your Christmas party this year!
1) Cheese Sticks
You can never go wrong with some classic cheese sticks! This snack is perfect to help warm up your cold family right when they walk in the door!
Ingredients:
1 cup flour- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
Directions:
Combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter and cheese with pastry blender; stir in sour cream. Shape into a ball and chill 2 hours. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/8-inch thick. Cut into strips 1/4-inch wide and 3 inches long. Bake at 425° for 8 minutes.
2) Savory Snack Mix
Bowls of nuts are great, but super lame! Spice up your nut mix with this recipe!
Ingredients:
2 cups Wheat Chex- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups Cheerios
- 1/2 cups thin pretzel sticks, slightly broken up
- 2 cups pecans
- 2 cups walnuts
- 1/2 cup Spanish peanuts
- 1 stick margarine
- 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 rounded teaspoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
Directions:
Measure cereals, pretzel sticks, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts into a large bowl or food storage bag; gently stir or toss to combine. In a large, deep skillet, melt margarine with Worcestershire sauce. Add celery salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Stir mixture to blend, and with low heat still on, add cereals and nuts. With a spatula, keep turning until all pieces are coated. Spread out on 2 large baking sheets (with sides) and place in oven for 1 hour at 250°. Use a spatula to turn ingredients every 15 minutes. Spread out on paper towels to cool. Taste and add salt, if needed. When cool, store in tightly covered container. Reheat to freshen, if necessary.
3) Caramel Popcorn
Caramel popcorn is the snack of the winter season! Without this caramel popcorn your party will be such a bore!
Ingredients:
3 quarts popped popcorn- 3 cups dry roasted mixed nuts, unsalted
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 250°. In a large roasting pan combine the popcorn and nuts. Place in the oven while preparing glaze. In a medium saucepan combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and then continue to boil for 4 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda and vanilla, then pour over the warm popcorn and nuts, tossing to coat well. Bake another 60 minutes, stirring frequently about every 10 minutes. Cool and break apart. Store in an airtight container.
4) Spicy Cheese Popcorn
You can't have caramel corn without its fellow cheese popcorn! Put a little bit of zing in the regular cheese popcorn with this delicious recipe!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons melted butter- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt, to taste
Directions:
Combine first 4 ingredients; pour mixture over popcorn, stirring to coat. Sprinkle with cheese, stirring well. Stir in salt, to taste.
5) Artichoke Dip with Roasted Red Peppers
With all of these snack ideas, you are probably wondering where the dip is at! Look no further! This dip will punch your taste buds in the face... In a good way!
Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can or jar (12 to 14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained, not marinated
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, optional
- 1/4 cup minced roasted red pepper
Directions:
Combine all ingredients; spread in a pie plate or shallow 1-quart baking dish. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Serve cold or heat in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350°. Don't reheat in the microwave or dip might separate.
There you have it! 5 recipes for holiday snacks that will kick butt this Christmas! Happy holidays and happy eating!
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