I’d been collecting appetizer recipes to make for the holidays but just kept procrastinating making them. I finally decided instead of making them for a party, we would feast on appetizers for dinner. And what a feast it was! All of these appetizers are really addicting and they would be a perfect addition to any holiday party.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
My boys favorite appetizer was Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps. What’s not to love about chicken wrapped in bacon, coated in spicy brown sugar and baked until crispy. It’s a Paula Deen recipe and I stumbled across it in Mags, The Other Side of Fifty, Christmas App post. Thanks for posting this one Mags!
My boys also loved the Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese. I already knew I would love it because Cuties served it at Blogher Food and I’d been wanting to make it for my family ever since. It is a great combination of savory and sweet (mandarin oranges, red onions, tomatoes and basil) with smooth and creamy, mild Chevre goat cheese on crispy baguette slices. The original recipe also includes calamata olives, but we’re not olive lovers and I omitted those.
This Jalapeño Cheesecake appetizer is so easy but I couldn’t stop snacking on it. Alouette has a creamy, slightly-sweet, limited edition Cheesecake Spreadable Cheese available for the holidays and using Megan’s, Megan’s Cookin’, Cranberry Jalapeno Cheesecake as inspiration I served it topped with Cranberry Pepper Jelly.
Alouette sent me a wonderful package of their fabulous cheeses to try for the holidays. My family isn’t usually very adventurous in trying new cheese, so this was a great opportunity to expand our horizons.
The finally recipe I made was one that I’d been wanting to try for some time. Pepperidge Farm had ads in several cooking magazines with a gorgeous Brien en Croute and it looks irresistible. It really isn’t very difficult to make, but looks very impressive and tastes decedant.
I changed up the recipe a bit to use ingredients I had at home, walnuts and cranberry pepper jelly. Barbara, Vino Luci, gave me tips on Twitter on baking the Brie, including using a rimmed baking sheet because it always leaks.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you will get great new recipes from us every week!
Holiday Appetizers and Brie en Croute Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup cranberry pepper jelly
- 1 Brie cheese round I used an 8 oz Baby Brie
Instructions
- Thaw pastry sheet at room temperature until it's easy to handle (approximately 40 min.)
- Combine the walnuts and sugar in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sugar starts to liquefy. Continue stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a golden color and coats the nuts.
- Remove from heat and spread candied nuts onto a greased cookie sheet or plate and allow to cool completely. Stir occasionally as it cools to break up large pieces.
- Preheat oven to 400º. Beat egg and water in a small bowl. Mix cooled walnuts and jelly together in a small bowl.
- Unfold the pastry sheet on lightly floured surface. Roll sheet into a 12 inch x 16 inch rectangle. Cut 4 inch off 16 inch edged to decorate top. Spread walnuts jelly mixture in center of large square. Top with cheese.
- Brush edges of pastry with egg mixture. Fold two opposite sides over cheese. Trim remaining two sides of square to 2 inches from edge of cheese. Fold sides up onto sheese and press edges to seal.Place seam-side down onto baking sheet. Decorate top with pastry scraps. Brush with egg mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until pastry is deep golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes.
Wishing you a New Year filled with all your favorite foods!
Roxanne
Wow! The brie looks amazing. This is just what I needed to be Brie inspired again. I was getting tired of the same ole same ole….this one is just the answer to step it up a notch. Thanks so much for sharing.
Happy New Year!
Erin @ Making Memories
Your brie looks absolutely amazing! It’s one of my absolutel favorite appetizers but I’ve never made it. I’ve always been too afraid =o)
Reeni
The bacon wrapped chicken is delectable! And the brie looks like something I could easily love. Brie is always a treat. Happy New Year Barbara!
Cajun Chef Ryan
This is a lovely en croute, the addition of the walnuts and pepper jelly enclosed withing the puff dough and surrounding the brie is fantastic!
Tres magnifique!
Bon appetit!
CCR
=:~)
Barbara @ Modern Comfort Food
Oh heavens, Barbara! I could make a meal of every one of these gorgeous appetizers. And I might just start with your brie en croute tonight paired with a simple salad. I’ve actually got all of the ingredients on hand now. Can’t wait!
Paula
Everything looks amazing, especially that Brie! Happy New Year Barb!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc
This looks fabulous! I am bookmarking this one! Happy New Year to you!
kristy
Ooo… this sounds amazing! Love the pastry puff crust and the filling is so yummy. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday. Guess, this is the first year you’ve to celebrate Christmas without your mom. Hope you’re doing well & take care!
Blessings, Kristy
HoneyB
It all looks delish! I really love brie and always have it over the holidays!
Anne
Oh…. that is so tempting! I’ve never tried this and now I will have to. Beautiful photo Barbara – I can almost taste it.
Leigh Anne@Your Homebased Mom
I am a huge Brie fan – especially when combined with something sweet. I’m going to have to look for cranberry pepper jelly. Where did you get yours?
Barbara
I bought mine at a little kitchen specialty store in my area, Spoons and Spice. But I also saw it at a local grocery store, Harmons.
Asha@FSK
I love Brie en Croute! Lovely collection of apps Barbara.. but i have to say pastry wrapped cheese is my fav! 😀
tasteofbeirut
I love baked Brie; last time I made some a friend who was visiting finished off the entire cheese in one sitting. Yours looks splendid.
marcellina
I not a huge cheese fan (I know..shudder…horror!) but your baked brie does look like something I would love! Happy New Year!
Renata
I love fingerfood for parties. Your post is mouthwatering and the brie en croute just made me drool…
Happy New Year!
cindy harris
I think a meal of appetizers sounds excellent.
Megan
What a wonderful package of cheese. I LOVE cheese of all kinds. I love apps for dinner but it’s usually a girl’s night out kind of dinner. The men always want “real” food. What ever that means. LOL This spread looks like the perfect dinner.
Thanks for the linky love!
Bonnie
Pass me a cracker please. That brie is calling to me. Happy New Year.
Kathy - Panini Happy
Your Brie en croute came out gorgeous, Barbara! I was all set to make this a few weeks ago for a party and then our plans changed. I still have all the ingredients, so now I’ll make it for New Year’s instead.
Rosa
Mmmhh, I love cooking and baking with cheese! Delicious fingerfood here.
Cheers,
Rosa