Quick Christmas Snacks and Appetizers
These quick and easy Christmas snacks and appetizers are perfect for festive gatherings, featuring Cranberry Brie Bites, Festive Caprese Skewers, and Spiced Pecan Clusters.
Equipment
- Mini Muffin Tin
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Small bowls
- Whisk
- Small Skewers or Toothpicks
Ingredients
Cranberry Brie Bites
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry from a 17.3-ounce package, thawed
- 4 ounces Brie Cheese rind removed, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup Cranberry Sauce canned whole berry or homemade
- Fresh rosemary sprigs or pecans Optional Garnish
Festive Caprese Skewers
- 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Balls (Bocconcini) small
- 1 bunch Fresh Basil Leaves
- Balsamic Glaze For drizzling
- Small Skewers or Toothpicks
Spiced Pecan Clusters
- 2 cups Pecan Halves
- 1 Egg White large
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Cranberry Brie Bites
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 10x10-inch square.
- Cut pastry into 12 equal squares and press each into a mini muffin tin well.
- Place a brie cube and a spoonful of cranberry sauce into each pastry square.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown, puffed, and bubbly.
- Remove and optionally garnish with rosemary or a pecan before serving warm.
Festive Caprese Skewers
- Thread a cherry tomato half, basil leaf, and mozzarella ball onto each skewer, repeating if space allows.
- Arrange skewers on a platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Spiced Pecan Clusters
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk egg white until frothy, then add pecans and stir to coat evenly.
- Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; sprinkle over pecans and toss to coat.
- Spread pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Cool completely on the baking sheet until crisp, then store in an airtight container.
Notes
For the Caprese skewers, use small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) for best results. When making the pecan clusters, ensure they cool completely to achieve maximum crispness. These snacks can be prepared in advance, with the exception of the Cranberry Brie Bites which are best served warm straight from the oven.