Holiday Cocktail Party Favorite Recipes | Easy Appetizers


'Tis the season for cocktail parties.  While Thanksgiving is all about the big sit-down dinner, Christmas seems to be more about the cocktail parties.  I put together this list of my favorite appetizers from years past.  Some are from my catering days, when December was my craziest time of the year and the parties were sort of fancy and refined.  Some are new recipes that we've become fond of now that we're in that kid-friendly entertaining phase of our lives where cocktail parties are really Open Houses with kids running around.

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

The filling is like the center of a crab rangoon - so yummy.


How to Build a Bountiful Cheese Board

Sometimes this is the only thing I make for a party!



This is how to turn appetizers into a meal.  Everyone will oh-and-ah.  Such a treat.


Mini Lobster Rolls

Again, a little bit-sized luxury that everyone will go crazy for and feel completely spoiled.



Baked Fontina Cheese

This is a Barefoot Contessa Recipe that is so-so goey and good.  You cube up cheese with garlic and herbs then bake it in the oven for 10 minutes.  It comes out goey and delicious.  Great with bread and apples.



These were a staple in my catering days - ladies and gents love.



I LOVE this.  It is great to serve before dinner, too.




This was my top-secret, easiest ever sweet bite for cocktail parties... they start with store-bought frozen cream puffs ; )

Browse all of my Appetizer Recipes, here >

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