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Photo: Melina Hammer; Styling: Vanessa Rocchio
Coconut, Macadamia, and Chocolate Bark
Bittersweet chocolate morsels and creamy white chocolate morsels combine with crunchy dry roasted hazelnuts and toasted coconut for an incredibly easy and fast gluten-free candy the whole crowd will love.
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Photo: Alex Farnum
Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups
These flourless cookie bites from Sunset reader Jennifer Loganathan, of Colden, NY, are a delicious cross between a brownie and a soft cookie—the orange zest adds a bit of contrast.
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Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Paige Hicks
Almond Brittle
Recipe
No flour is needed here; sweet corn syrup is the glue that holds this delicious holiday candy together. Pack in smoked almonds, pecans walnuts or peanuts for an extra salty crunch.
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Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams
Mocha Truffle Cake
This flourless cake’s prep is so easy, making it perfect during those busy holiday months. Its bold chocolate flavor is so satisfying that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to think about seconds.
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Photo: John Kernick; Stylist: Alistar Turnbull/Pat Bates and Associates
Baked Brie with Honey
Recipe
A drizzle of honey adds a bit of sweetness to savory Brie. Pair this Baked Brie with Honey appetizer with grapes, dried figs, or apple slices.
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Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Elizabeth Blake
Bourbon Caramel Sauce
A big splash of whiskey flavors Bourbon Caramel Sauce to create one decadent topping for your favorite ice cream.
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Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Perfect Poached Shrimp
Recipe
Shrimp is always a popular appetizer item, and it also happens to be a great low-fat and gluten-free offering, particularly when it’s poached. You can make this recipe a day ahead and keep chilled in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
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Photo: Kiyoshi Togashi; Styling: Sarah Smart
Chocolate-Almond Toffee
Buttery toffee is topped with chopped whole almonds to add extra crunch in this gluten-free dessert. If you use other nuts, toast them first.
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Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello
Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush
Is it a drink or dessert? Who cares? It satisfies both cravings. This garnet-colored slush has all the qualities of a delicious cocktail–a not-too-sweet combination of high-quality liquor and fruity tang.
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Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams
Spiced Applesauce
A heavy meal sometimes needs a light dessert. AT 87 calories per serving, this homemade applesauce satisfies your sweet tooth without setting you over the edge at holiday meals.
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Photo: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Dan Becker
Sausage Mushroom Caps
Recipe
These sausage-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect 1-bite party food and are always a crowd pleaser. Use spicy sausage for more kick.
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Photo: Sang An
Classic Pavlova
Pavlova, a golden pink-hued dome of meringue topped with whipped cream and juicy ripe fruit, is a seriously underappreciated dessert
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Salmon and Cucumber Bites
Recipe
Dramatically cut the calories out of this simple canape by subbing crisp cucumber slices for bread. The freshness of the cucumbers pairs well with the smoked salmon and creamy topping.
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Ham and Cheddar Potato Skins
Recipe
This traditionally high-fat appetizer got a makeover using reduced-fat sour cream, a reduced amount of cheese, and smaller potatoes to keep these bites portion-controlled.
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Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello
Baked Chocolate Mousse
Serve this creamy decadent Baked chocolate mousse this holiday season for a no-fail treat the entire family will love. The texture is so incredibly light and fluffy, that it just melts in your mouth.
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Oxmoor House
Chocolate Pots de Crème
This no-fuss dessert requires less than 15 minutes of prep time, and the finished product is sure to draw oohs and aahs from guests of all ages.
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Photo: Aran Goyoaga
Savory Gluten-Free Tart Crust
Look no further for a perfectly portioned out gluten-free crust recipe. Filled with savory or sweet fillings, this crust is sure to satisfy with any holiday recipe.
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Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello
Warm Mocha Pudding
Recipe
If you’ve never tried a warm pudding, this is the one to try. The flavors are more up front when the pudding is warm.
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Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lydia Degaris-Pursell
Smoked Salmon and Cheese Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes
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Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites
Ask for paper-thin slices of meat at the deli counter. To ease prep, look for a package of presliced mango in the produce section. We do not recommend jarred mango slices—they’re too soft.
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Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart
Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote
Recipe
This lovely appetizer is about as quick and easy as it gets–as tasty, too. You don’t even need to let the cheese come to room temperature first; the warm fruit that goes on top will soften it up. Serve with crostini or crackers.
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James Carrier
Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts
This roasted nut recipe is perfect for the holidays as it features herbs traditionally used at Thanksgiving and Christmas, such as sage, thyme, and savory.
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Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Stuffed Baby Potatoes
Stuffed Baby Potatoes pack plenty of favor in bite-size portions.These savory appetizers also present a touch of elegance to your party table. If you don’t have chives on hand, minced scallions will do the trick.
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Photo: Iain Bagwell
Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt
Sprinkled sea salt surprises the palette and brings out rich, dark chocolate flavor in Bittersweet Fudge with Sea Salt. Atop this fudgy treat, flaky types of salt shaped like pyramids or thin shards show up the best and won’t overpower the sweet.
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Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto
Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Skewers
Pickup appetizers are ideal for cocktail parties; they’re individually portioned and don’t require any plate balancing while your guests enjoy. Try this new spin on the prosciutto skewer. It’s delicious and can be made ahead to save you time on the day of the party.
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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Roquefort Cheesecake with Pear Preserves and Pecans
Roquefort Cheesecake with Pear Preserves and Pecans is ideal for large gatherings–it makes 12 appetizer servings. Pear preserves balance the tanginess of the Roquefort cheese, and toasted pecans add nutty flavor to this herb-and-pecan cheese spread.
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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Buttery Toasted Pecans
Patiently roasting pecans (the entire 25 minutes!) at 325° to coax out their flavor and essential oils takes them from good to great.
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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Mini Corn Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Dill Crème Fraîche
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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross
Crisp Persimmon with Ricotta, Honey, Pecans, and Mint
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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross
Pepita Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom caps make one delicious vessel for gluten-free appetizers all year long, but they will also be a huge hit at your holiday party this season.
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Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Stuffed Celery
For an easy side dish, serve guests Stuffed Celery. This stuffing is also great as a dip.
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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross
Polenta Toasts with Balsamic Onions, Roasted Peppers, Feta, and Thyme
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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross
Smoked Trout, Arugula, and Granny Smith Stacks
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Photo: Theresa Raffetto; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Cumin-Roasted Cashews
This simple appetizer of Cumin-Roasted Cashews is full of flavor and will subdue an appetite until the feast is complete.
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Photo: Ralph Anderson
Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log
Keep a few logs of goat cheese in the refrigerator during the holidays and you’ll always be ready with a quick appetizer. All you have to do is sprinkle the cheese with pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
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Jennifer Davick
Holiday Salsa
No cooking required for this colorful 3-ingredient appetizer. Serve with tortilla chips for an appealing contrast between salty and sweet. If you have any left over, you can use it as a topping for fish or chicken.
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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Pomegranate-Poached Pears with Cream
Recipe
Firm pears will take longer than ripe pears to cook. To test for doneness, slide a skewer or small knife into the centers. The pears are done when the skewer slides effortlessly through the thickest part of the pears. Use extra cooking liquid in cocktails and fizzy drinks, or drizzle over yogurt.
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Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski
Warmed Cranberry Brie
Make an easy and elegant holiday appetizer by topping a round of baked Brie with sweetened cranberry sauce and toasted pecans.
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Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Potato Candy
Recipe
This old-school candy reminds us of divinity and other traditional homemade Southern sweets. The recipe is a testament to the genius of thrifty cooks who based the confection on leftover mashed potatoes.
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Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Cheesy Sausage Balls
Recipe
To make ahead, cover and refrigerate unbaked balls up to 24 hours; or place in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag and freeze unbaked balls up to 1 month. Bake frozen balls at 375° for 22 to 25 minutes or until done.
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