5 Easy Winter Appetizers

Try these 5 easy winter appetizers to keep your guests happy at your next holiday party. Warm, hearty appetizers like bread and cheese are a great start to a meal on a cold winter day. These winter appetizers are simple to whip up even if you're short on time.

Baked Brie

To make baked brie, you will need:

• 9-oz. wheel of brie
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• Crackers or baguette slices

1. Bake the brie at 350 degrees for fifteen to twenty minutes.
2. Bake the pecans at 350 degrees for seven to ten minutes, until toasted.
3. Bring sugar and syrup to a boil, then simmer one to two minutes.
4. Top brie with pecans and syrup.
5. Serve on crackers or baguette slices.

Pesto Roll-Ups

To make tihs easy winter appetizer, pesto roll-ups, you will need:

• 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 jar basil pesto

1. Separate the crescent dough into triangles.
2. Spread the dough with basil pesto.
3. Roll up the crescents.
4. Bake at 375 for twelve to fifteen minutes.

Apple & Goat Cheese Tarts

To make this easy winter appetizer, you will need:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 6 ounces goat cheese
• 3 Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp. apple jelly, warm
• 1 tbsp. sugar

1. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a twelve-inch square.
2. Cut the pastry into six pieces. Place the pieces on a baking sheet and prick with a fork.
3. Sprinkle each piece with crumbled goat cheese.
4. Top with apple slices, then brush with jelly and sprinkle with sugar.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Crab Dip

To make this easy winter appetizer, you will need:

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tsp. seafood seasoning
• 4 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1/3 cup each sour cream and mayonnaise
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1-1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup milk
• 8 oz. crab meat
• 1-1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
• Baguette slices and celery sticks

1. Saute the onions and garlic in the butter over medium-low heat for about five minutes. Stir in seafood seasoning.
2. Blend all ingredients except garlic and onion, crab meat and cheese with a spoon or electric mixer.
3. Stir in crab meat, garlic and onion and half the cheese.
4. Pour dip into a greased casserole dish and top with the rest of the cheese.
5. Bake at 375 for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve with baguette slices and celery sticks.

Butternut Squash Bruschetta

To make this easy winter appetizer, you will need:

• 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
• 10 caperberries, chopped
• 10 walnuts, chopped
• 2 tbsp. each honey and extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. each red pepper flakes and kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• Toasted baguette slices
• Walnut oil
• Grated Asiago cheese

1. Combine all ingredients except baguette slices, walnut oil and cheese. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
3. Top toasted baguette slices with squash bruschetta. Drizzle with walnut oil and sprinkle with cheese.