I have an upcoming show where the host would like a "christmas" recipe demoed since she will have her home decorated for the holidays. I'm ok with her request. Any suggestions for a recipe, probably an appetizer over a dessert (I've already made the antipasti pull aparts and the brie for her at previous shows). Thanks.
Festive Appetizer Ideas for a Christmas-Themed Show
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Discussion Overview
The thread centers around festive appetizer and cookie ideas for Christmas-themed shows, with participants sharing personal experiences and suggestions for recipes suitable for holiday gatherings.
Discussion Character
- Anecdotal
- Opinion-based
Main Points Raised
- One participant, identifying as a consultant, is looking for appetizer suggestions for a Christmas-themed show, having previously made antipasti pull aparts and brie.
- Another participant suggests Pesto-Cheese Pastries as an easy and elegant option.
- Several users mention the idea of hosting a cookie show, noting it can be fun and engaging for guests.
- One participant shares their experience that cookie shows are particularly popular with mothers in attendance.
- Another participant offers a variety of appetizer ideas, including Tapenade Meatballs and Bacon Cheese Pinwheels shaped like Christmas trees.
- One participant expresses interest in obtaining an outline for a cookie show, indicating they have a show scheduled soon.
- Multiple participants mention specific cookie recipes and variations, including those using cake mix and various flavor add-ins.
- One participant shares their positive experience with a cookie dough recipe made from cake mix, highlighting its ease and versatility.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Views differ on the best type of show to host, with some participants favoring appetizers while others advocate for cookie shows. No clear consensus emerges on a single preferred recipe or approach.
Contextual Notes
Participants share personal experiences and recipes, reflecting a variety of preferences for holiday-themed cooking demonstrations.
Who May Find This Useful
Consultants looking for festive recipe ideas and inspiration for holiday shows may find the shared experiences and suggestions beneficial.
Telynn
- 62
How about the Pesto-Cheese Pastries:
https://www.pamperedchef.com/repsonly/images/cc/us/pdf/ts_app_pestocheese.pdf
they are quite easy, elegant and TASTY!
https://www.pamperedchef.com/repsonly/images/cc/us/pdf/ts_app_pestocheese.pdf
they are quite easy, elegant and TASTY!
mountainmama74
Gold Member
- 914
chefa
- 651
Tapenade Meatballs (uses the green pesto), serve with Rosemary Habanero dipping sauce.
Do the Bacon Cheese Pinwheels with crescent dough & after you slice them up, form a Christmas tree or ball ornament shape on the cookie sheet before baking. Brush with milk or egg wash and sprinkle with chopped red and green peppers before baking.
Use a savory muffin or quick bread recipe and bake in the Mini Muffin pan.
Any of our seasonings made into dips - serve w/veggies in the Cool n Serve.
Dessert Trifle (or make a Christmas centerpiece with Trifle bowl - fat pillar candle surrounded by mini ornaments or holiday candies).
Do the Bacon Cheese Pinwheels with crescent dough & after you slice them up, form a Christmas tree or ball ornament shape on the cookie sheet before baking. Brush with milk or egg wash and sprinkle with chopped red and green peppers before baking.
Use a savory muffin or quick bread recipe and bake in the Mini Muffin pan.
Any of our seasonings made into dips - serve w/veggies in the Cool n Serve.
Dessert Trifle (or make a Christmas centerpiece with Trifle bowl - fat pillar candle surrounded by mini ornaments or holiday candies).
LeahMae
- 32
Kellylynne14
- 9
annew
- 178
lt1jane
Gold Member
- 1,334
chefa
- 651
minirottie
- 725
pchefgagnon
- 19
mountainmama74
Gold Member
- 914
Holiday Cookie Ideas
The recipe:
1 cake mix
1 pound butter (or oleo with at least 65% fat)
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• Microwave 2 sticks of butter in small batter bowl, then cut other two sticks into the melted butter and let sit to soften.
• Measure flour using adjustable measuring cup. Whisk cake mix and flour together.
• Whisk the butter to form smooth cream, then add to cake mixture. Mix thoroughly.
Change flavor by adding:
• Lemon or orange zest
• Peanut butter
• Melted chocolate or cocoa powder
• Flavoring (vanilla, almond, cinnamon
• Change flavor of cake mix (devils food, cherry, spice)
Mini-muffin Pan – use small stainless steel scoop to make “button” cookies.:
• Drop in pan, then push a piece of candy to each cavity: Snickers, Reese cups, Kisses, etc.
• Roll in coating: Colored sugar, sprinkles, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, cinnamon sugar.
• Add items before scooping: M&M’s, any flavor and size chips (peanut butter, heath, chocolate), candied fruit – don’t forget the mini M&M’s and mini chocolate chips.
Drop cookies:
• Add same as in mini-muffin above.
• Leave round to give rounded shape.
• Flatten before baking to give flatter shape.
• Put thumb print in some and fill with jam.
• Use medium or large stainless steel scoop for family or “teen” size cookies.
Cookie Press:
• Tree, Wreath, Bar for the holidays
• Color part of dough before pressing. Use lots of coloring as it fades in baking.
• Using two colors of dough, make a rectangle with one color, then make a rope with the second. Place rope in middle of rectangle and roll the rectangle around the rope. You can now put in cookie press to make one color in the middle with a different color on the outside.
• Using three colors of dough, make three ropes. Place them side by side in the cookie press for striped look.
• Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking if desired.
Cut out cookies:
• Add ¼ cup of flour to make stiffer dough.
• Roll in powdered sugar to give a “glaze” to the baked cookie. Also prevents working too much flour into the dough.
• Make sandwich cookies by make two the same symmetrical shape.
• Make “window” cookies by cutting hole in one half the cookies. Bake, then sandwich them together and fill center with jam.
Decorating after baking:
• Use melted chocolate to dip ends in, then dip cookie in chopped nuts. (can be colored
• Frost, then add sprinkles of any flavor.
• Use decorator bottles with different colored frosting to be creative.
Rice Krispie treats – use our non-stick family skillet to make the job easier.
Two-step fudge
• Melt one pound of chocolate wafers or chips in family skillet or micro-cooker. (Be careful not to let water touch the chocolate, and don’t burn the chocolate)
• Add one can of frosting, mix well.
• Pour out on butter pan. Cut when set up.
• You can also put in easy accent decorator and drop “stars” on parchment paper to set up.
• Change the flavor by changing the flavor of the chocolate (white, peanut butter or any of the new yummy flavors) or by changing the flavor of the frosting.
The recipe:
1 cake mix
1 pound butter (or oleo with at least 65% fat)
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• Microwave 2 sticks of butter in small batter bowl, then cut other two sticks into the melted butter and let sit to soften.
• Measure flour using adjustable measuring cup. Whisk cake mix and flour together.
• Whisk the butter to form smooth cream, then add to cake mixture. Mix thoroughly.
Change flavor by adding:
• Lemon or orange zest
• Peanut butter
• Melted chocolate or cocoa powder
• Flavoring (vanilla, almond, cinnamon
• Change flavor of cake mix (devils food, cherry, spice)
Mini-muffin Pan – use small stainless steel scoop to make “button” cookies.:
• Drop in pan, then push a piece of candy to each cavity: Snickers, Reese cups, Kisses, etc.
• Roll in coating: Colored sugar, sprinkles, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, cinnamon sugar.
• Add items before scooping: M&M’s, any flavor and size chips (peanut butter, heath, chocolate), candied fruit – don’t forget the mini M&M’s and mini chocolate chips.
Drop cookies:
• Add same as in mini-muffin above.
• Leave round to give rounded shape.
• Flatten before baking to give flatter shape.
• Put thumb print in some and fill with jam.
• Use medium or large stainless steel scoop for family or “teen” size cookies.
Cookie Press:
• Tree, Wreath, Bar for the holidays
• Color part of dough before pressing. Use lots of coloring as it fades in baking.
• Using two colors of dough, make a rectangle with one color, then make a rope with the second. Place rope in middle of rectangle and roll the rectangle around the rope. You can now put in cookie press to make one color in the middle with a different color on the outside.
• Using three colors of dough, make three ropes. Place them side by side in the cookie press for striped look.
• Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking if desired.
Cut out cookies:
• Add ¼ cup of flour to make stiffer dough.
• Roll in powdered sugar to give a “glaze” to the baked cookie. Also prevents working too much flour into the dough.
• Make sandwich cookies by make two the same symmetrical shape.
• Make “window” cookies by cutting hole in one half the cookies. Bake, then sandwich them together and fill center with jam.
Decorating after baking:
• Use melted chocolate to dip ends in, then dip cookie in chopped nuts. (can be colored
• Frost, then add sprinkles of any flavor.
• Use decorator bottles with different colored frosting to be creative.
Rice Krispie treats – use our non-stick family skillet to make the job easier.
Two-step fudge
• Melt one pound of chocolate wafers or chips in family skillet or micro-cooker. (Be careful not to let water touch the chocolate, and don’t burn the chocolate)
• Add one can of frosting, mix well.
• Pour out on butter pan. Cut when set up.
• You can also put in easy accent decorator and drop “stars” on parchment paper to set up.
• Change the flavor by changing the flavor of the chocolate (white, peanut butter or any of the new yummy flavors) or by changing the flavor of the frosting.
tyanosik
- 27
mountainmama74
Gold Member
- 914
CathyP
Gold Member
- 61
I made the recipe shared above for cookie dough made with cake mix last nite and I was so impressed by not only how easy it was to make ,but how great the cookies were! Very yummy and sooooo many variations possible. This just may be my go-to cookie dough from now on! Thanks for sharing!:thumbup:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy festive appetizer ideas for a Christmas-themed show?
Some easy festive appetizer ideas include stuffed mushrooms, cranberry brie bites, and mini caprese skewers. These appetizers are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them perfect for a holiday gathering.
How can I incorporate Pampered Chef products into my festive appetizer preparation?
You can use Pampered Chef products like the Food Chopper for chopping ingredients, the Stoneware for baking, and the Mix 'N Chop for blending fillings. These tools can help streamline your preparation and ensure consistent results.
What are some crowd-pleasing dips I can serve at a Christmas-themed show?
Crowd-pleasing dips include spinach and artichoke dip, a warm cheese dip, and a festive cranberry salsa. Pair these with an assortment of crackers, bread, and veggies to create a beautiful and tasty spread.
How can I make my appetizer presentation festive for the holiday season?
To make your appetizer presentation festive, use holiday-themed platters, garnish with fresh herbs, and incorporate seasonal colors like red, green, and gold. Adding decorative touches like edible glitter or themed napkins can also enhance the festive atmosphere.
Can I prepare these appetizers in advance for my Christmas-themed show?
Yes, many appetizers can be prepared in advance. Dips can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator, while items like stuffed mushrooms can be assembled and refrigerated before baking. Just ensure to follow proper food safety guidelines when storing and reheating.
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