1Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bites
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE212 Grapes Cocktail
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE
In many parts of the world, people eat 12 green grapes in the first sixty seconds of the New Year to bring good luck in the year ahead. Although, speaking from experience, when the clock strikes midnight, 12 grapes doesn’t seem such a simple task. Enter a simpler, and tastier option: the 12 grapes cocktail.
Get the 12 Grapes Cocktail recipe.
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3Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
The perfect bite to start any party is one made of mac and cheese and lobster. Here we use a combination of heavy cream, sharp cheddar, and nutty gouda cheese along with sweet shallots and garlic to form a simple, yet decadent canvas for the real stars, pasta and lobster. Our favorite part about these mini bites? How crispy the exterior gets, plus the addition of black pepper on top that really makes them pop.
Get the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites recipe.
4Confetti Cookie Dough Ball
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER
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5Spinach Dip Rolls
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE6Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
The combination of creamy grits and spiced juicy shrimp in a holy trinity-spiked sauce is a match made in heaven. You can eat it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and now…you can finally have shrimp and grits in appetizer form. For our take on the two-bite version of this classic dish, smoked gouda grits are breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy, then topped with saucy Cajun-spiced shrimp and a flurry of fresh scallions.
Get the Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites recipe.
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7Champagne Jell-O Shots
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE
Looking for a fun and sophisticated way to get a little tipsy? Whip up a batch of Champagne Jell-O shots for your next New Year’s Eve party. These elegant treats are a classy twist on the traditional Jell-O shot, and are perfect for any festive occasion—not just college parties. Made with Champagne, lemonade, vodka, and powdered gelatin, they offer a delightful high-low pairing, much like serving caviar with potato chips.
Get the Champagne Jell-O Shots recipe. 8Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE
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9Crab Cake Egg Rolls
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM10Tiramisu Dip
RACHEL VANNI PHOTOGRAPHY LLC F/S/O RACHEL VANNI
What do you do when you’re craving tiramisu, but you don’t have the time or patience to chill it for hours? Enter tiramisu dip. It’s got all the right flavors—creamy mascarpone, rich espresso, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder—and it comes together in just 10 minutes.
Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe.
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11Prosecco Grapes
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE
Give grapes a festive upgrade with New Year’s appropriate Prosecco (though any sparkling wine will work). We went for green, but any type of grape you like is great for these.
Get the Prosecco Grapes recipe.
12Cheese Ball Bites
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER
These easy bites are perfect for any holiday celebration. We love their little pretzel handles, but feel free to leave them out or even make one huge cheeseball instead!
Get the Loaded Cheese Ball Bites recipe.
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13Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE14Carbonara Deviled Eggs
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE
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15Meatball Sub Egg Rolls
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
This herby and cheesy deep-fried hybrid is essential party food and will steal the show at your next tailgate. They’re exactly what they sound like—all of the fillings you’d find in a meatball sub loaded into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried until golden brown, delicious, and perfect for folks who don’t want their hands covered in hot marinara sauce.
Get the Meatball Sub Egg Rolls recipe.
16Giggle Juice
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE
This fruity drink is filled with moscato, pink lemonade, and vodka, which is pretty much the most irresistible drink combo. This punch makes up to 8 servings, so it’s ideal to get the party started for a crowd. Whether you’re serving this big-batch cocktail up at your New Year’s Eve celebration or your next girls’ night in, this sweet and fruity cocktail is sure to have you and your guests giggling together in no time.
Get the Giggle Juice recipe.
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17Smoked Salmon Crostini
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
Smoked salmon has been endlessly married with cream cheese, and we’re not tired of it. In fact, we encourage it full-on. Whether it’s smoked salmon dip or in a pasta, there is no denying the perfection of this combo. So, for a quick hors d’oeuvre, like this salmon crostini, we couldn’t shy away from it.
Get the Smoked Salmon Crostini recipe.
18Sour Patch Grapes
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
Eating 12 grapes as midnight is supposed to bring good luck, so why not make it extra fun! This magical recipe transforms green grapes into a sweet-and-sour snack that tastes suspiciously like Sour Patch Kids.
Get the Sour Patch Grapes recipe.
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19Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE20Antipasto Squares
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
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