Festive Holiday Appetizer Platter (7 Festive Fixes)
Enjoy a spectacular spread of seven festive appetizers, perfect for holiday entertaining. From savory Cranberry Brie Bites to sweet Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods, this platter offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Equipment
- Mini muffin tin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Medium bowl
- Small saucepan
- Wooden skewers
- Small baking dish
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
Ingredients
Cranberry Brie Bites
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- 1 wheel brie cheese (8-ounce)
- ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash, optional)
Spiced Pecans
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups pecan halves
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- Wooden skewers
Mini Sausage Rolls
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- ½ pound breakfast sausage cooked and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
Festive Fruit Skewers
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1 cup fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
- 1 kiwi peeled and sliced
- Wooden skewers
Spinach Artichoke Dip (Warm)
- 1 package frozen chopped spinach (10-ounce), thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 can artichoke hearts (14-ounce), drained and chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- pita chips, baguette slices, vegetable sticks For serving
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
- 1 bag pretzel rods (12-ounce)
- 1 bag chocolate chips (12-ounce) (milk, dark, or white)
- Sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chopped nuts for decorating
Instructions
Cranberry Brie Bites
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Cut puff pastry into 12 squares and press each into a muffin cup.
- Place a piece of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce in each pastry square, optionally adding pecans. Brush the pastry edges with egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and bubbly, then let cool slightly before removing.
Spiced Pecans
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Add pecan halves to the bowl and toss to coat evenly, then spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until toasted and fragrant. Cool completely to allow them to crisp up.
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
- For the balsamic glaze, simmer balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until syrupy, then let cool.
- Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto wooden skewers, repeating the pattern if desired.
- Arrange skewers on a platter and drizzle with the cooled balsamic glaze just before serving.
Mini Sausage Rolls
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll puff pastry and spread Dijon mustard over it.
- Crumble cooked sausage over half of the pastry, then fold the other half over the sausage and press gently.
- Cut the pastry into 1x2 inch rectangular strips, transfer to the baking sheet, and brush tops with beaten egg.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
Festive Fruit Skewers
- Thread alternating pieces of green grapes, red grapes, strawberries, and kiwi onto wooden skewers. Arrange on a platter.
Spinach Artichoke Dip (Warm)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, combine thawed spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to a small baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden on top. Serve warm with dippers.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler until smooth.
- Dip each pretzel rod halfway into the melted chocolate, tap off excess, and immediately add desired toppings.
- Place dipped pretzels on the baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate is set.
Notes
This platter offers a variety of flavors and textures, ensuring there's something to please everyone. Feel free to customize toppings for the chocolate-dipped pretzels or substitute fruits on the skewers based on seasonal availability. For best results, prepare some components in advance, like the spiced pecans and balsamic glaze, to streamline assembly on the day of your event.