My Go To Holiday Food

Recently I have attended a couple of Christmas parties that require me to bring a finger food and being a college student on a budget this can become a hassle sometimes. None the less, I have found some easy and low-cost recipes that anyone can make! I am happy to say that I have received positive feedback on all three of these so I thought I would put the recipes out for everyone. Enjoy!

Ham and Swiss Sliders

24 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

1 lb. of Ham (Whichever kind you prefer I like Honey)

12 slices of Swiss Cheese

1/2 Cup of Butter (AKA: A stick of butter)

1 1/2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard (I like the Grey Poupon brand)

1 1/2 Tbsp. Onion Powder

2 Tsp. Worchestire Sauce

2 Tsp. Poppyseeds

1. Preheat Oven to 325 ℉.
2. Combine Melted Butter, Poppyseeds, Dijon Mustard, Onion Powder, and Worchestire Sauce. Whisk together until well blended.
3. Spray the pan with vegetable oil and cut the rolls in half, putting the bottom half in the pan.
4. Layer ham and then swiss cheese, then topping off with the top of the rolls.
5. Cover the rolls evenly with  the butter mixture.
6. Refrigerate until the butter is firm on the rolls.
7. Cover with foil then bake for 15-17 minutes, then remove foil and cook for 2-3 more minutes to let the rolls brown.

After that just take them out and let them cool! Once they are cooled off you are all good to dig in, or plate them to take to your shindig!

Fire Crack Crakers

1 1/8 Cup Canola Oil (If you want them to be more greasy add more oil)

1 Ranch Dressing Mix

3 Tbsp. Red Pepper Flakes (My friends like spicy foods so if you don’t want as much heat do less!)

4 Sleeves of Saltine Crackers

1. Preheat the oven at 250℉
2. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl let the oil and spices soak into the crackers for about 5-10 minutes.
3. Lay them out on a baking sheet and drizzle the oil and seasoning at the bottom of the bowl over the top.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

After you let them cool you can put them in a Ziploc bag for snacking later or in a big bowl for your guests!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 Cups of Flour

1 Tsp. Baking Soda

1 Tsp. Salt

1 Cup Softened Butter (2 sticks – I use unsalted)

3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

3/4 Cup Packed Light Brown Sugar

1 1/4 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 Large Eggs

2 Cups of Nestle Milk Chocolate Morsels (About half the bag is normally what I do!)

**Optional: 1 Cup Chopped Nuts

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

**Side Note: This recipe is on the back of the chocolate chips – BUT I have made slight tweaks to it because I just couldn’t help but make them better!

After they have cooled off grab your milk and dunk away!!

These are just a couple of my favorite holiday finger foods to make and they are so easy it is almost ridiculous! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Email me if you have any other questions or want to know what other finger foods I have found I would love to help! (agmclain@uark.edu)