Enjoy more of Claire’s favorite party recipes below! If you missed her picks for festive holiday cocktails, be sure to check out yesterday’s post. Cheers!

Are you hosting a fabulous holiday cocktail or dinner party? Need some appetizers sure to “wow” any guest at the party? Well, I’ve pulled a couple of my favorites that are sure to bring you and your guests some holiday cheer! Enjoy!

~Claire

Brie and Caramelized Onion Bake

(found on the Noble Pig)

2 large yellow onions, sliced thin
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of sugar
Pinch of salt
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed (cresent roll)
1 (8 ounce) Brie wheel
1 large egg, slightly beaten
Raspberry preserves

Directions

Caramelize onion in olive oil with sugar and salt in a heavy skillet over medium low-heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching, but do not stir too often. They will brown better if left alone. After 5 minutes of cooking, cover the pan (the lid keeps moisture inside so the onions won’t burn easily). Cook until brown and very soft, 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.

Roll out thawed sheet of pastry to a 12″ square (not bigger, get the ruler out if you need to). I would do this on parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. Place the onions in the middle of the pastry sheet and place your Brie wheel right on top.

Brush the edges of the pastry with egg and fold the pastry over the Brie, completely enclosing the Brie and the onions in the dough. Make sure all the seams are pressed together and sealed. Place the round on a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, seam side down. Brush the pastry with egg so that it browns nicely. Bake at 400^o F until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Wait a good 15 or 20 minutes before cutting into the pastry.

(Recipe and image found here on The Noble Pig blog. Check out their site for more!)

Spiced Cocktail Nuts

(found on the Food Network - recipe from Giada de Laurentis)

Vegetable cooking spray
2 egg whites
2 cups roasted and salted almonds
2 cups roasted and salted cashew nuts
2 cups walnut halves
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Madras curry powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet, liberally, with vegetablecooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the nuts and stir until coated. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, curry powder, cumin, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the nuts and toss until coated. Arrange the nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes until golden and fragrant. Cool for 1 hour.

Using a metal spatula, remove the nuts from the baking sheet. Break the nuts into bite- sized pieces and place in serving bowls.