Name: Roasted Pepper Cheese Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 4 oz brick of cream cheese (softened); 1/3 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese; 24 RITZ Garlic Butter crackers; 1/3 thinly sliced (mixed roasted red and yellow peppers); 2 tsp. fresh chopped basil

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NABISCO Cookies and Crackers. All opinions are 100% mine.

Holiday Party Planning + Roasted Pepper Cheese Bites Recipe

Are you hosting a Hanukkah or Christmas party this year? Throwing an amazing holiday party doesn’t have to be hard or stressful. Nor does it have to take all of your energy or empty your wallet. With a little careful planning, and a few tricks and tips, you can throw a holiday party that everyone will remember – and one that you can enjoy just as much as your guests! For example, using easy and delicious recipes that can be made ahead of time is one of the best ways to save time and reduce stress. This recipe for Roasted Pepper Cheese Bites is one such example, and it makes a great appetizer while guests are waiting for everyone to arrive! Don’t miss the rest of my tips and tricks for an enjoyable holiday party below the recipe!

Roasted Pepper Cheese Bites Recipe

This simple, yet delicious recipe will take you just minutes to make, but tastes as though it took hours! Don’t worry, it’ll be our secret! Oh, and to make things even easier, the handy-dandy printable version of this recipe is below.

What You Will Need to Make Roasted Pepper Cheese Bites Recipe

4 oz brick of cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
24 RITZ Garlic Butter crackers (for a more healthy option, substitute with RITZ Whole Wheat)
1/3 thinly sliced, mixed roasted red and yellow peppers (I chose to roast my own, but you can buy them in jars).
2 tsp. fresh chopped basil

What To Do to Make Roasted Pepper Cheese Bites Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F, then begin by mixing the cream cheese and mozzarella in a medium bowl until blended.

Spread this topping onto the crackers, being a bit generous.

To make things easier, as you finish topping each cracker with the spread, go ahead and place it on a baking sheet. Next, top the crackers with the red and yellow peppers.

Place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.

Once finished, remove from the oven and sprinkle with basil. That’s it!

See, I told you it was easy! Don’t they look delicious?! They taste delicious, too! Now, as promised, here are some more party planning tips and tricks to help you throw a holiday party everyone will love!

6 Easy Party Planning Tips for a Wonderful Holiday Party

1. Decide What Type of Party You Want

Before you can begin to plan, you need to decide what type of party you want to host. Are you wanting a casual gathering like a cocktail party with some light foods and drinks, or would you prefer a sit down dinner. Casual or formal? Large or small? Once you figure out exactly what you want, it’s time to start planning the details.

Tip: To make everything more organized, get a small notebook and dedicate a few pages for each detail including the guest list, the menu, decor you will use, and a schedule of what needs to be made and when. This way everything is in one easy- to-locate spot, and you can also keep any special notes – such as a guests’ food allergy – where you will be sure not to forget.

2. Put Together a Guest List and Invitations

Next, determine the date, time, and guest list. Then, once you have your guest list together, decide how you’re going to get the word out. Are you going to send out invitations via snail mail, or send out emails, or just call everyone?

Tip: Send out the invites at least four weeks in advance, as calendars fill up quickly during the holiday season.

3. Select the Menu

Selecting foods that can be made ahead of time, preferably the day before, will save you time and stress. Be sure to include one or two simple appetizers for guests to nibble on while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Tip: You can find all sorts of delicious recipes (like the one I shared above), decor ideas and other party planning ideas, tips and tricks, at the NABISCO Party Planner!

4. Decide on Decor

Whether setting up a buffet-style table or designing a holiday tablescape for a sit down dinner, think small as you want to save space for the food which will also be the main focus. For example, create a low arrangement of blooms instead of a large centerpiece. Then use small accents, such as votive candles, to fill any empty spots on the dining or buffet table.

Tip: For an easy and pretty food presentation, use oven-to-table servingware instead of glass or metal baking dishes. This looks nice and keeps the food warm, plus it saves a lot of time on both set up and clean up. No more worrying about which food should go on what serving platter, or where each item should go on the table. If you don’t have these type of dishes, another trick is to label what you are using ahead of time so you know exactly where everything goes when it comes out of the oven.

5. Prep Ahead of Time

The day before, start making the foods and drinks that can be made ahead of time. Also, for those dishes that cannot be made ahead of time, get as much of the prep work done as you can. This way, on the day of the party, all you will have to do is set up the already-made food, and finish up the remaining steps of the food that has to be prepared the day of. The day before is also when I set out my decor, and lay out the table settings including the plates, napkins and silverware.

Tip: On the day of the party, add at least one extra hour to your prep time for any last minute emergencies. This will also ensure you have time to get ready without rushing, and to relax before guests arrive.