Holiday Cocktail Snack Hacks - Milk Punch Media

Let’s face it, this year has been anything but normal and our Christmas festivities and parties won’t be either.

Rest assured though the delicious treats and snacks from our loved ones and neighbors will still abound.

Here are 5 favorite Milk Punch favorites this year with a few healthy swaps to keep us in check.

Parmesan Crisps
Instead of cheese straws, opt for cheese crisps. Parmesan Crisps are so simple yet extremely delicious. They also make a great substitute for croutons on a salad. Other hard cheeses such as Gouda will work well, too! Gluten free cheesy nibbles and will be a hit at cocktail hour.

Maple Glazed Pecans
Everyone loves pralines, so rich and decadent but so much sugar. Satisfy a sweet tooth instead with maple glazed pecans with a touch of rosemary. Delicious! See the recipe with cayenne for an added kick.

Bourbon Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls
The sausage ball is a holiday favorite. We used Milk Punch’s version and added Melissa’s Bourbon Pimento Cheese. Oh my goodness! The pimento cheese is so good on its own with crackers or veggies.

Bourbon Balls
We took the Southern classic Christmas candy and reduced the sugar content with Swerve, a sugar substitute made with erythritol. No one will ever know…

Spicy Pretzels
Last but not least, Spicy Pretzels are a favorite anytime I make them. Bags of pretzels are available in a gluten-free option if desired. Either way, they always disappear. Try avocad0 oil or a blend of avocado and olive oil instead of canola oil.

Parmesan Crisps

Savory cheesy bites for the many holiday cocktail hours. Not your grandmother’s cheese straws, Parmesan Crisps are gluten and guilt free! Pairs beautifully with Cabernet.

Ingredients

2 cups Parmesan cheese, finely shredded*

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Shred cheese. Drop by the tablespoon into mounds on cookie sheet.

Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, watching closely.

Remove and allow to cool as they crisp.

*Hand grating from a block of Parmesan works best for this recipe but use pre-shredded if needed. You can use any firm cheese that will shred finely.

Flavor variations:
Rosemary Parmesan Crisps: Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or Italian Seasoning.
Black Pepper Parmesan Crisps: Sprinkle each mound with black pepper before baking.

Maple Glazed Pecans

Ingredients

3 cups shelled pecan halves
1 tablespoon grass-fed butter, melted
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Mix ingredients in a bowl. Toss pecans until well coated. Pour in a single layer onto baking sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes, then begin stirring every 5 minutes. Cook for a total of 25 minutes, being careful not to burn.

Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Flavor variations:
Maple Bourbon Pecans: Omit vanilla and substitute 1 tablespoon Bourbon.

Rosemary Maple Pecans: Omit vanilla and add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary.

Bourbon Balls

Chocolate candy laden with whiskey, it’s a Southern holiday classic! Swerve reduces the sugar content.

Ingredients

3 cups Swerve Confectioners' Sugar Substitute
2 sticks butter, softened at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup Bourbon
3 cups raw cacao morsels

Instructions

Cream butter in a mixing bowl. Add Swerve confectioners’ sugar; mix until combined well.

Add vanilla and Bourbon. Mixture should be thick (if too thin, add more sugar). Chill for 20 minutes until firm. Roll into balls. Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet and chill in freezer for 30 min to 1 hour.

Melt chocolate in microwave, stirring after 30 seconds until smooth. Roll candies in chocolate. Place on wax paper to cool.

Keep covered in an air-tight container or in refrigerator.

Optional: add 1 cup finely-chopped pecans or place a whole pecan half on top after dipping in chocolate.

Bourbon Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls

Two of our favorite recipes collide in this boozy take on festive sausage balls!

Ingredients

1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Garlic Biscuit Mix
1 cup Bourbon Pimento Cheese, recipe follows
1 roll Jimmy Dean Hot Breakfast Sausage

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl combine biscuit mix, pimento cheese and sausage using dough hook mix until well combined.

Roll into balls and bake 15 to 17 minutes.

Spicy Pretzels

Kick canola oil to the curb and make your own seasoned pretzels with avocado oil and olive oil. Nutritional yeast adds a “cheesy” flavor and is rich in B vitamins, essential to healthy skin.

Ingredients

2 large bags Original Pretzel Crisps, preferably Organic
1-ounce package Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Salad Dressing Mix
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2/3 cup Avocado Oil Blend, such as California Olive Ranch*
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, such as Bragg, optional

Instructions

In a 2-cup measuring cup, whisk oil, dressing mix and red pepper flakes until blended. Place pretzels in a large plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

Pour dressing mix over pretzels, tossing as you pour. Close and flip a few times. If adding nutritional yeast, spread pretzels over a sheet pan and sprinkle to coat. Return to container, attach lid and gently turn to combine.

Let sit for 12 hours or overnight, gently flipping container ever so often.

*If you can’t find the blend, mix your own with 1/3 cup avocado oil and 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil.

Holiday Snack Hacks

5 cocktail hour recipes ready to party!