Great Christmas Appetizers

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Here are some great Christmas Appetizers that are sure to please your pallet. These holiday dishes are quite easy to make for both an elegant or casual Christmas affair. Some of them can be made in advance to give you extra time to "pamper" yourself before the big event.

All of these recipes are easy to make which gives you extra time to get ready for that holiday party! Just put them on a pretty platter or in a Christmas bowl and you are ready to go. I hope that you and your family enjoy these Chistmas Appetizer Recipes!

Tortilla Roll Ups

These great little appetizers can be made in advance (up to 1 day) before you slice them.

1 pkg. flour tortillas 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 bunch, finely chopped green onions salsa

Cream together onion and cream cheese. Spread on tortillas and roll up. Let tortillas sit covered in the refrigerator for about an hour or until firm. Slice into bite size pieces. Serve with salsa.

The following may be added to cream cheese for variation: 8 oz. sour cream, 1/2 cup grated cheddar, 1 small can chopped black olives, 1 small can chopped green chilies, seasoned with garlic powder and seasoning salt. Bon apetite!

Chili Con Queso (It's not a party without it!)

This dip can be made on top of the stove, microwave or in a crock pot.

1 lb. velveeta cheese 1 can rotel tomatoes 1 lb. breakfast sausage

Brown breakfast sausage in pan on stove. Set aside. Cut velveeta cheese into small pieces and melt with rotel tomatoes on medium heat. Add breakfast sausage. Serve with corn tortilla chips. That's it! But, don't let the simplicity of the recipe fool you! This recipe is a real winner!

Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip

1 pkg cream cheese 1 pkg popcorn shrimp (unbreaded and >2thawed) 1 bottle of your favorite cocktail sauce

On a pretty Christmas platter, spread cream cheese. Spread cocktail sauce on top of cream cheese. Top with popcorn shrimp. Serve with your favorite crackers. Enjoy!

Pastrami Rolls

2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls, 1/2 pound deli pastrami, sliced super thin, 1/2 cup soft cream cheese with chives and onions, 1/3 cup Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Separate crescent rolls into triangles. Cut triangles in half lengthwise to make 2 smaller triangles. Cut pastrami into 1 x 2 inch strips. Spread 1 teaspoon cream cheese and 1/2 teaspoon mustard on each triangle, leaving about 1/4-inch of the pointed end uncovered. Stack 3 pieces of pastrami at wide end of the triangle. Beginning at the wide end, roll up triangle and place on an ungreased baking sheet with point side down. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 32 rolls.

Fruit Kabobs

This appetizer makes a beautiful addition to a holiday party. They are so easy to make and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.

You may use any type of fruit that is in season in your area. This is what I use.

Strawberries, pineapple chunks, grapes (different colors), melon (when in season).

I dip the strawberries in chocolate and then I put the fruit on a short skewer that I buy at the grocery store. This is the order that I put on the skewer...2 grapes, 1 pineapple chunch, melon chunk, chocolate covered strawberry.

7 Layer Dip

This Christmas Appetizer can be made in a 9x13 pan or on a pretty platter!

1 can refried bean 1 container guacamole (avocado dip) 1 pkg taco seasoning 1 container sour cream 1 small can chopped or slice black olives 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1-2 chopped tomatoes

Mix the sour cream and taco seasoning together, then layer the items on a platter or pan in the order listed! Delicioso!

Sausage Cheese Puffs

1 lb. breakfast sausage 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups biscuit mix 1/2 cup water 1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients in large bowl until blended. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot. Great Christmas Appetizer!

Christmas Glazed Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/3 cup minced onion 1/4 cup milk 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons oil 1 cup (12-ounce jar) grape jelly 1/2 cup bottled chili sauce

Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, milk, egg, parsley,salt, Worcestershire sauce and pepper; mix well. Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Cook in hot oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until browned. Drain on paper towels.

~or~ buy frozen meatballs and cook according to the package directions. Don't worry...I won't tell. Read on.

Combine jelly and chili sauce in medium saucepan; stir well. Add meatballs; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve in a chafing dish. Yummy!

Caramel Apple Dip

Here is the yummy Caramel Apple Dip recipe that I put on the recipe page.

Caramel Apple Dip~

1 tub cream cheese 1 container caramel 1 package of Heath Bars (crushed) or 6 regular size bars 5 Granny Smith apples or apples of your choice

Layer the following:

Spread the cream cheese on your favorite Christmas platter. Spread caramel on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle the crushed Heath bars on top of the caramel. Cut apples into wedges and place around the outer edges of the platter. Yummy!!! I hope you enjoy this Christmas Appetizer Recipe!

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Here is a great Christmas Appetizer Recipe that will make you look like you spent hours in the kitchen. They do take a little time, but these appetizers have a big taste and are a great addition to all of your Holiday Parties!

12 to 15 large fresh mushrooms, 2 tablespoons butter or margarine (divided), 2 tablespoons chopped onion, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, salt and pepper to taste, 4 ounces bulk Italian sausage, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Remove stems from the mushrooms; set caps aside. Finely chop stems; place on paper towel and squeeze to remove any liquid. In a skillet, heat 4-1/2 teaspoons butter. Sate stems and onion until tender. Add lemon juice, basil, salt and pepper; cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Cool. Add sausage and parsley. Stuff into the mushroom caps. Combine crumbs and cheese; sprinkle over stuffed mushrooms. Dot each with remaining butter. Place in a greased baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices. Best if served hot. 12-15 servings.

Chicken Wings

This tasty wing recipe was given to me by my sister, Krystal. She makes it for all of her Holiday parties. Your guests will applaud you.

1/4 c. honey, 1/4 c. soy sauce, 1/4 c lemon juice, 1/2 c catsup, 8 chicken wings separated into 3 parts, discard tips

Combine sauce ingredients, add chicken, cover and marinate at least 3 hrs. Place chicken on foil lined cookie sheet. Do not allow pieces to touch. Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour.

Cheese Wafers

Here is another Easy Christmas Appetizer recipe that I got from my sister, Krystal. She makes and brings these every year to our Holiday gatherings. Enjoy!

1 cup soft butter or margarine, 2 cups flour, 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese-grated, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cups rice krispies (cereal)

Cut butter into flour, add cheese and seasonings. Fold into the cereal. Roll into small balls, flatten and bake about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Okay...Krystal has given me lots of Christmas Appetizer Recipes. This recipe was given to me many years back and I have made them plenty of times to make it one of my favorite Christmas Appetizers.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 lbs ground beef, 1 cup bread crumbs, 1/3 cup dry parsley, 2 eggs, 1 tsp garlic salt, 2 tbsp. soy sauce, 1/3 cup catsup, 2 tbsp onion, salt and pepper to taste.

Mix and form into balls and place in baking dish.

Mix together 1 can jellied cranberry sauce, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 12 oz. bottle chili sauce

Pour over meatballs and back for 45 or so. Bon Apetit!!!

Kelly's Yummy Christmas Appetizer Cream Cheese Dip

This is a yummy appetizer that I have at every one of my parties. There is never any left. It's sooooo simple. Just put a block of cream cheese on a pretty Christmas dish. Spoon some really cool type of jelly over it (ex: jalapeno jelly, chipolte etc) I always use a specialty, out of the ordinary jelly (not grape, peach or anything like that.)Serve with your favorite crackers. I just happen to love Wheat Thins. Always a hit...and so easy for Great Christmas Appetizers!

Zippy Cheese Ball

This is truly the best Cheeseball that I have ever tasted! My sister Krystal gave it to me a few years back. I have taken it to and served it at my own Christmas parties. Krystal even separates the Cheeseball into smaller balls and shrink wraps them to give as gifts.

2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 2 8oz Pkgs. Cream Cheese Softened, 1 Bunch Green Onions Finely Chopped, 1t. Lemon Juice, 1 1/2 t. Minced Garlic, 2-3 T. Worchestershire Sauce, Few Shakes Tabaso Sauce, 1/4 C Chopped Green Chillies (canned), 1lb. Bacon, Fried Crispy & Crumbled, 1C. Finely Chopped Pecans, Mix all ingredients, except pecans.

Cover & Chill overnight. Shape into ball, then roll in nuts.

Christmas-according-to-kelly 2009

SBI!