Unique & Easy Holiday Appetizers

During the holidays, it's hard to come up with unique menus and many times going to several different holiday parties the menu is a list of deja vu. Here are several appetizers that will make your party significantly different in taste and presentation, without making you sweat all day in the kitchen. Most of these ideas are child-friendly as well.

Cheesecake Wontons

1 package wonton wrappers (keep covered with a clean damp cloth)

1 tub of Philadelphia Ready to Eat Cheesecake Filling

1 beaten egg (in a small bowl)

Cinnamon Sugar

Take 1/2 teaspoon of cheesecake filling and place it in the middle of a wonton wrapper. Brush the edges of the wrapper with the egg so that the wrapper edges will be able to stick together. Once the edges are brushed, press the corners of the wrappers together.

Heat fryer to 350 degrees. Fry until golden. Try not to fry too many at once. You need enough room in your fryer for them not to stick together.

Drain and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar

Serve with caramel, strawberry, or other sauces.

Tempting Cookies

Take your favorite cookies (Oreos, Oatmeal, Nilla Wafers, etc.) and half dip them in melted candy coating. Once the candy coating is hard, draw holiday shapes on the candy coating with Wilton Ready to Decorate Icing.

Crackers and Cheese? Please!

My friends didn't know it would taste so good, but I take American Easy Cheese, draw shapes on my crackers (entertaining crackers or Town House) and top them with raisins. The sweet of the raisins actually enhance the cheese!

Hot Dog Minis

An old after-school favorite of my brother and me

Slice your favorite hot dog brand in mini-slices, top it with a dab of mustard and/or ketchup. spice it up by adding jalapenos or cheese.

Holiday S'more Cups

Layer holiday-themed baking cups with crumbled graham crackers, marshmallow creme and m & m's

With these appetizers up your sleeve, you'll have more time to decorate your tree! The tree? Oh no, I forgot to buy a tree!