Holiday Appetizers to Make Your Mouth Water

Forget the over-done veggie trays and mixed nut bowls--there are sure to be plenty of nuts at the holiday dinner table already! When you're planning your holiday meal this year, try some of these mouth-watering appetizers to get your guests geared up for a fabulous meal! All of these recipes will work perfectly for a potluck dinner or a holiday gathering at work.

Caramel Snack Mix

From Allrecipes.com, this appetizer is great for the nuts in your family! Mix ½ cup butter, ¾ cup light corn syrup, and 1 cup of brown sugar together in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes or until butter melts. Meanwhile, spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray and combine 1 box of crispy corn and rice cereal, 1 cup almonds, and 1 cup pecans in the roasting pan. Next, stir the melted butter and sugar combination into the cereal and nut mixture until ingredients are all well-coated. Bake in a conventional oven for 1 hour at 275 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes. Here's an added tip: once you remove the roasting pan from the oven, stir the mixture occasionally so it does not stick together in one large clump. You can try different variations of this recipe by using popped popcorn instead of almonds, or try your own favorite variety of snack mix cereal.

Click here to view this recipe and more great recipes on Allrecipes.com: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Caramel-Snack-Mix/Detail.aspx

If you're looking for easy appetizers, try KraftFoods.com. This is my favorite place to find easy, quick recipes that even the kids can help with! Have the kids help you make this great appetizer:

Holiday Cheese Truffles

Using an electric hand mixer, beat together 2 packages (8 oz each) of cream cheese, 1 package (8 oz) of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Divide cheese mixture in half into two separate bowls. Let the children help mix in ¼ cup of chopped roasted red peppers to one half and mix in 2 chopped green onions to the other half. Place each in refrigerator for several hours until well-chilled. Shape into 24 1-inch balls and roll in chopped pecans. Serve with your favorite party crackers!

Visit the Kraft web site for variations and tips for this recipe. Click here to view this recipe and other great things you and the kids can make at KrafFoods.com: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/holiday-cheese-truffles-62489.aspx.

Cooks.com also offers some great recipes for your meals, including some scrumptious appetizers. Everyone loves pizza, right?! Check out this appetizer variation of the favorite Friday night meal:

Quick Pizza Snacks

Heat your oven to 375 degrees and remove dough from an 8 oz can of refrigerated quick crescent dinner rolls-do not unroll the two sections. Cut each section into 12 slices and place cut side down on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and remove from oven. Add one teaspoon of store bought pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce to each pizza dough, and top with the shredded cheese and toppings of your choice. Bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with oregano for a "fresh from the pizzeria" look and taste! Magnifico! You have 24 delicious pizza snacks that even the kids will eat.

For more great recipes and to view this particular one, click here http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,191,148166-248203,00.html.

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