4th of July Appetizers

Kick off your party with a bang and become the envy of your guests with these tantalizing appetizers for your 4th of July celebration. Quick, easy and fun, these treats are certain to be a hit!

PB Apples

Ingredients:

• 2-8oz. package cream cheese - softened
• 2 cups smooth peanut butter
• 2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 8 apples

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar and milk
2. Cut apples into wedges and place wedges around the edges of a serving platter, with "dip" mixture in a bowl in the center.
3. Chill until ready to serve. Apples can be dipped, OR spread a layer of dip onto each wedge if you prefer.

Tangy, Zesty Deviled Eggs With A Twist

Ingredients:

• 24 eggs
• 1-8 oz. package cream cheese - softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or, you can opt for sour cream in place of mayo)
• 2 teaspoon prepared mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Paprika for garnish

Directions:

1. Hard-boil eggs, then chill for one hour before peeling.
2. Slice eggs in half lengthwise, removing yolks. Place all yolks in a small bowl, and place egg whites in a single layer on serving platter.
3. Mash yolks with a fork or smallish potato masher.
4. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise (or sour cream if preferred), mustard and salt. Mix well.
5. Drop spoonfuls of yolk mixture evenly into egg whites.
6. Top with paprika. Refrigerate until serving.

Cheesy Bacon Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 pounds sliced bacon - cooked and crumbled
• 3 onions - chopped
• Your choice of crackers or chips

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, cheese, bacon, and onions. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Serve with your preferred crackers or chips.

Stuffed Strawberries

Ingredients:

• 36 large fresh strawberries
• 3/4 cup spreadable strawberry or chocolate cream cheese - depending on your preference. OR feel free to use both, to have a variety
• 5 tablespoons sour cream

Directions:

1. Cut green stems from strawberries. Place on a cutting board.
2. Cut a deep, cross-shape in the top of each strawberry. Carefully spread strawberries apart where cut.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream with hand mixer until smooth.
4. Spoon filling into each strawberry. Refrigerate until serving.

Crescent Dogs

Ingredients:

• 15 hot dogs
• 30 Pillsbury crescent rolls - uncooked
• 15 slices of American cheese
• 1 jar of bacon bits

Directions:

1. Cut each hot dog in half, then cut a slit down the length of each half.
2. Cut each slice of American cheese in half diagonally.
3. Stuff cheese slices into cut hot dogs. Top with bacon bits, pushing all stuffing into the hot dogs well.
4. Wrap each uncooked crescent roll around a hot dog. Place on baking sheet.
5. Cook crescent dogs according to crescent package instructions. Serve warm.

Zesty Mexi-Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 tsp hot pepper sauce
• 1 can refried beans
• 2 Tbsp diced green chilies
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup ketchup
• Tortilla chips

Directions:

1. In pan, combine beans, ketchup, cheese, chilies & hot pepper sauce.
2. Heat on medium till cheese is melted.
3. Add sour cream. Heat on low till warm. Serve with tortilla chips.

Tortilla Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• 20 flour tortillas
• 2-8 oz. packages cream cheese
• 16 oz. sour cream
• 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 2 can diced tomatoes and green chilies - drained

Directions:

1. Mix together cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, diced tomatoes/chilies and seasoning.
2. Spread over tortillas.
3. Roll up tortillas and place on serving tray. Chill for 2 hours
4. Slice tortillas into 3-inch pieces and serve.