Easy Yet Elegant Holiday Appetizers, Cookies & Cocoa
As much as I love hosting, I realize it has a reputation for being a bit overwhelming. And I so get it. If you are anything like me, you start with a simple idea of gathering a group of friends together - and by the end of the process you have a party planned in your head that would make both Martha and Ina proud. I have a tendency to bite off more than I want to chew, I'll admit it.
But what I have learned is that people only care about a few things when it comes to parties, and food is one of the big ones. But the last thing I want to do at any party I host is stress about a menu or be stuck in the kitchen. Where's the fun in that? So, I'm always looking for delicious little nibbles I can whip up in seconds (but also make me look like my very own version of Barefoot Contessa). Enter Stonewall Kitchen.
I've adored Stonewall Kitchen for what seems like forever, and their amazing assortment of jams and spreads always make me look better than I should when hosting a party. So I've joined forces with them to share a couple quick appetizers for your holiday soirées with less steps than picking your outfit for the evening. These recipes will set you up for success, so you can actually enjoy the party you planned. Novel idea, no? They are so easy I even felt silly writing out the steps below!
Goat Cheese & Sugar Plum Jam Crostini
INGREDIENTS
- Sugar Plum Jam
- Goat cheese
- Baguette
- Rosemary sprigs
DIRECTIONS
- Cut baguette into bite-sized pieces.
- Spread sliced baguettes evenly on a baking sheet, and broil until lightly brown.
- Spread goat cheese evenly on each baguette.
- Top with Sugar Plum Jam and a sprig of rosemary.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cream Cheese & Red Pepper Jelly Tartlets
INGREDIENTS
- Red Pepper Jelly
- Cream Cheese
- Phyllo cups
DIRECTIONS
- Spoon a small scoop of cream cheese into each phyllo cup
- Top with Red Pepper Jelly
- Serve and enjoy!
HOLIDAY COOKIE BAKING & COCOA
More sweet than savory? Well let's talk cookies then.
True story, last year my schedule was so nuts I didn't really get to enjoy the holidays. I didn't even decorate our house! You know what I missed the most? Making Christmas cookies. I know it's weird, but it's always been an important milestone in my holiday celebrations. I so wish I would have thought of this cookie mix last year, because even folks with the craziest schedules can make their holiday baking dreams come true with this box of sugar cookie magic. And it's perfect for when little ones want to help!
And what goes better with cookies than cocoa rimmed in Crème de Menthe Chocolate Sauce, sprinkles and the cutest little cookie adornment you ever did see? It's beginning to feel very festive around these parts!
I owe a lot of my holiday cheer to the folks at Stonewall Kitchen for making things so darn easy this year. Now I'm looking for any excuse to have folks over! Any takers?
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Stonewall Kitchen is giving away one Holiday Cocktail Party gift set and one Holiday Jam Tree - so you can have all the essentials for holiday hosting right at your fingertips! Just follow @StonewallKitchen on instagram, comment on THIS INSTAGRAM POST, and we'll pick a winner at random on Thursday!
Last but not least, if you are looking for the perfect gift for the oh-so-hard person on your list, check out Stonewall Kitchen's gift finding too - www.PerfectMaineGifts.com. Long story short, Stonewall Kitchen is basically Santa.
PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATOGRAPHY: JULIE FLORIO
This post was sponsored by Stonewall Kitchen, but all words and opinions are my own. Thanks for the support!