The holiday season brings so much joy. Twinkling lights, cheerful music, and the warmth of gathering with loved ones. It’s a truly special time of year. But let’s be real, planning a party can feel a little bit hectic.
You want to serve something amazing, but you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen for hours. I get it! That’s where these delightful cranberry cream cheese bites come in. They are the ideal Christmas snacks for party appetizers.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this recipe is a holiday lifesaver. It’s one of those dishes that looks elegant and complicated but is secretly so simple to put together. What’s not to love about that?
The colors are just so festive! The bright red cranberry against the creamy white cheese, topped with a sprig of green parsley, looks like Christmas on a platter. It’s an instant visual treat for your guests.
And the taste? It’s a wonderful mix of flavors. You get the creamy, savory tang from the green onion and cream cheese, plus a sweet and zesty pop from the cranberry relish. It is a fantastic combination.
These are truly easy Christmas appetizers for a party. They require very little effort and use ready made phyllo cups to save you tons of time. No one has to know how simple they were!
Plus, this is one of the best Christmas party fingerfood ideas around. They are bite sized, not messy, and easy for guests to grab while they mingle. They are a host’s dream come true.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these holiday snacks appetizers is short and sweet. You can find everything you need at your local grocery store, which makes holiday shopping a little bit easier.
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup finely diced green onion
- 2/3 cup cranberry relish or jam
- 30 phyllo cups
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to see how these simple Christmas appetizers come together? It’s so quick, you’ll be amazed. Let’s walk through it together. You’ll have these ready in no time at all.
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C. This ensures it’s nice and hot when your little bites are ready to be baked. Also, make sure your cranberry relish is prepared and ready to go.
Step 2: Mix The Cream Cheese Base
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the finely diced green onion. A hand mixer makes this quick, but a good old fashioned spatula and some effort work just as well. Mix until it’s smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Fill The Phyllo Cups
Now for the fun part! Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each of the phyllo cups. I like to use about a teaspoon or so for each one. Leave a little dip in the center for the relish. This makes them look so professional.
Step 4: Add The Cranberry Topping
Next, add a small dollop of your cranberry relish right into that little well you made. About one teaspoon should do the trick. The contrast of colors will already start to look so appealing. This is what makes them great Christmas snacks for party appetizers.
Step 5: Bake To Warmth
Carefully place the filled phyllo cups on a baking sheet. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes. You aren’t trying to cook them, just warm everything through so the flavors meld together beautifully.
Step 6: Garnish And Serve
Once they are out of the oven, let them cool for just a minute. Then, garnish each cup with a tiny sprig of fresh parsley. This little touch of green makes them look so finished. Serve them warm and watch them disappear!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is unlikely, storing them is easy. Just place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for about two to three days.
When you want to enjoy them again, you can eat them cold or pop them in the oven for a few minutes to warm them up. I would avoid freezing them, as the phyllo cups can become soggy after thawing.
Tips
Want to make these Christmas snacks for party appetizers even better? Here are a few little hints that can help you along the way. Little adjustments can make a big difference.
You can prepare the cream cheese and green onion mixture a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This saves you a step on party day, making assembly even faster.
Feel free to get creative with the topping. If you don’t have cranberry relish, a good quality raspberry or fig jam would also be delicious. This is one of those flexible holiday snacks appetizers.
For an extra bit of texture, you could sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts on top along with the parsley. The added crunch is a lovely surprise. It adds a nice savory note.
These are best served warm, so try to time the baking close to when your guests will be arriving. They are still tasty at room temperature, but the warmth really brings out the creaminess of the cheese.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, elegant, and incredibly tasty recipe that will be the star of your holiday gathering. These bites prove that you do not need to spend all day cooking to create amazing food.
These really are some of the most wonderful Christmas snacks for party appetizers you can make. They are a festive treat that everyone will love, and you’ll love how easy they are to prepare.
I hope you give these a try for your next event. Happy holidays and happy hosting! Your party is going to be a huge success with these on the menu. Enjoy every moment of the celebration.
FAQ
Can I Use Something Other Than Phyllo Cups?
Absolutely! If you can’t find phyllo cups, you can serve the cream cheese and cranberry mixture on sturdy crackers, small toasted bread rounds, or even in hollowed out cucumber slices for a fresher take.
Can I Make These Savory Instead Of Sweet?
Yes, for a fully savory version, you could replace the sweet cranberry relish with something like a savory bacon jam, an olive tapenade, or a zesty tomato bruschetta topping. The cream cheese base is very versatile.
Is It Okay To Use Low Fat Cream Cheese?
You certainly can use low fat cream cheese if you prefer. Just keep in mind that full fat cream cheese will provide a richer flavor and a creamier texture, which is really lovely in these appetizers.
How Far In Advance Can I Assemble These Before Baking?
You can assemble them a few hours before you plan to bake them. Just cover them and keep them in the refrigerator. I wouldn’t do it too much farther in advance, as the phyllo cups could start to get a bit soft.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites
These delightful cranberry cream cheese bites are the ideal holiday appetizer. They look elegant and festive but are secretly simple to make using ready-made phyllo cups, a creamy cheese filling, and a sweet cranberry relish topping.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and finely diced green onion. A hand mixer makes this quick, but a spatula works just as well. Mix until smooth.
- Spoon about a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into each of the phyllo cups. Leave a little dip in the center for the relish.
- Add a small dollop of your cranberry relish right into that little well you made. About one teaspoon should do the trick.
- Carefully place the filled phyllo cups on a baking sheet. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes.
- Once they are out of the oven, let them cool for just a minute. Then, garnish each cup with a tiny sprig of fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
The cream cheese and green onion mixture can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge.
If you don’t have cranberry relish, a good quality raspberry or fig jam would also be delicious.
For extra texture, sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts on top along with the parsley.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
