Holiday Appetizers

The following recipe is one of my family's favorite hot appetizers for the holidays. A bun warmer is a great way to keep these bites warm.

Miniature Sausage Cups
Makes 24 cups

1/2 cup butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 pound sausage
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese or cheddar
1 tablespoon fresh chives
2 eggs
1 cup cream or half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash hot sauce

Beat butter and cream cheese in medium bowl until creamy, grate into mixture 2 cloves of garlic, then slowly blend in the flour, and refrigerate 1 hour. Roll into 1" balls and press into mini-muffin cups to form pastry shell. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. For the filling, crumble sausage into small skillet and cook over medium heat until browned, stirring occasionally. Drain any drippings, then sprinkle evenly into the pastry shells in muffin cups, sprinkle with the cheese and chives. Using a whisk combine the eggs, cream, salt and hot sauce, then pour into pastry shells. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until set, remove from pans and serve hot. Refrigerate any leftovers.