Most Requested Hot Appetizers and Delicious Desserts

I am not a “throw-a-can-of-peanuts-on-the-table” kind of gal! When I am planning a party, it is important to me that I choose thoughtful, satisfying recipes that:
Are simple to make
Have few ingredients
Hold up well over time
Are pleasing to look at and of course,
Taste great!
Over the years, I have tried out a lot of recipes on my friends and family and no question about it, the “Top ” are those listed below (in no particular order).Top 3 Hot AppetizersNumber One Most Requested Hot Appetizer–Warm Chipotle Cheddar Dip
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1-8 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained (3/4 cup)
1-4 oz. can chopped green chili peppers, drained
2 teaspoons finely chopped canned chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (3/4 cup)
1/4 cup sliced green onion
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
Vegetables, crackers or chips
I found this dip when I was on a low carb diet and was looking for a party appetizer that would work well with vegetables. Something with a robust flavor that would perk up the veggies.Well this one definitely fit the bill. This appetizer has become a favorite among my friends. It’s served multiple times throughout the year at various parties that I either host or attend.You can make it as smokey and spicy as you want by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers (smoked jalepenos) but watch out. You can easily go from mildly spicy to blow-your-face-off hot by adding too much!Steps to Make Cheddar Chipotle DipPreheat oven to 350 degrees.Stir together cheeses, mayonnaise, corn, green chili peppers, chipotle chili peppers and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl. Spread mixture into a 1 quart, covered dish.Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly. Top with tomato, green onion and cilantro. I like to make a pattern out of the toppings so I put the tomatoes all in the middle, make a ring around them with the green onion then sprinkle the cilantro over all.Serve with vegetables, like red, green and yellow peppers. Tostido and Frito Scoops work well too.Number Two Most Requested Hot Appetizer–Boneless Buffalo Wings
1 large bag of popcorn chicken, thawed (I buy mine at Sam’s Club)
1 package dry Good Seasons italian dressing mix
1 bottle Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (or to taste)
1 stick margarine (butter will separate)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Pinch dried basil
In a saucepan, combine dressing mix, hot sauce, margarine, lemon juice and basil and cook until margarine melts, stirring constantly.Place chicken in a large bowl and pour sauce over it. Stir until well combined, then pour all into a Crock Pot. Cook on low 4 hours. Crack the lid to keep down the steam and prevent wings from getting soggy.Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing (do not use the reduced fat variety).Number Three Most Requested Hot Appetizer–Warm Green Chili Dip
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz. shredded mild cheddar cheese
2 cups mayonnaise
1 small sweet onion, minced
1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilis, drained
1-1/2 oz. chopped pepperoni
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
Tostidos or Fritos Scoops
In a shallow baking dish, combine the first five ingredients. Top mixture with the pepperoni and olives.Bake at 325 degrees about 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with Scoops, crackers or assorted fresh vegetables.Note: I do not recommend using reduced fat mayonnaise.Speaking from personal experience, these three hot appetizers are guaranteed to be a hit at any get together.WARNING: Get ready to hand out the recipes!Top 3 Delicious DessertsNumber One Most Requested Delicious Dessert–Raspberry White Chocolate Dream Bars
1 box white cake mix
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1-1/2 sticks melted butter
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
12 oz. white chocolate chips
Combine cake mix, milk, butter and nuts. Makes a very gooey dough. Spray a 9 x 13 pan and spread half of the dough into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.Melt the jam in the microwave (about a minute) and spread on top of hot crust. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over jam. Crumble remaining dough on top and bake an additional 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.For bigger parties, this recipe easily doubles and can be made in a 15 x 10 pan.Once you get the hang of this technique, you can think of all sorts of combinations. How about using chocolate cake with mint chips? Or lemon cake with white chocolate?Number Two Most Requested Delicious Dessert–Chocolate Amaretto Bundt Cake
1 pkg. chocolate devil’s food cake mix
1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1-1/2 oz. Amaretto liqueur
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup fresh raspberries (optional)
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Glaze
1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Amaretto
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine first 6 ingredients and blend well. Stir in chips. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Pour batter into the prepared pan.Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.Melt glaze ingredients in a saucepan or microwave. Pour 2/3 of glaze over top of cake while cake is hot from oven and still in pan. Allow cake to remain in pan for 25 minutes. Remove cake from pan and drizzle with remaining glaze.When I make this cake dessert, I fill the middle with fresh raspberries and present it on my grandmother’s crystal pedestal cake stand which is very dramatic.Just before serving, I make a raspberry sauce by melting the jam in the microwave.Each lucky guest gets a plate with some of the sauce, a slice of cake, a few berries and some whipped cream. Yum!Number Three Most Requested Delicious Dessert–Mystic Mint CookiesThese are melt-in-your-mouth heaven!Dough
1 cup sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Heat oven to 375 degrees.Mix sugar, butter, vanilla, egg and unsweetened chocolate. Stir in flour and salt.Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie with fingertips. Bake until set, about 8 minutes. Remove to cooling racks and cool completely.Peppermint Frosting
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, softened
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Mix all frosting ingredients until smooth and of spreading consistency.Chocolate Drizzle
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, softened
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1-6 oz. package semisweet chocolate chips
Simmer all drizzle ingredients over low heat. Stir constantly until butter and chocolate are melted.Spread peppermint frosting over cooled cookies then drizzle each with chocolate mixture. Leave on counter for 2-3 hours until frosting is set.If you serve any of these homemade desserts, you can count on your guests being very happy. And I will bet that you will be handing out recipes, just like I do at my house.So, now you have the recipes for my “Top to WOW your guests with. I am certain that over time, several of these recipes will become your favorites just as they are mine. Enjoy!