Winter holidays is my favorite season. From the moment we pick our Christmas tree until few days into the new year everything seems to be magic.
It may be just me but it seems like everyone comes to life, despite the cold weather. People are smiling more, singing carols all day long, wrapping gifts for the loved ones and attending at least one Christmas party!
It’s that time of the year!
Every year I host a Christmas party for a handful of friends. This year is a little more special. I’m hosting three parties! I can’t believe it either! But I’m so excited!
The first one is for a couple of my daughter’s friends. Some cookies, some games and call it an afternoon.
The second one is for my girlfriends! A mom’s night out in my living-room! Cheese, crackers, sweets and wine and we talk for hours!
The third one is an ugly sweater party for a couple of close friends.
It may seem like a lot, but with a few tricks I can organize these parties without loosing my mind. Do you want to know how?
First, you need to know exactly how many guests you have. I usually send out the invitations about a month prior to the party giving my guests plenty of notice, especially when a baby-sitter is needed.
Once you know your guest numbers, you need to create the menu and map out all the dishes you can make ahead. Or at least do the prep work 1-2 days before the party.
My best advice is to choose dishes that do not require last minute cooking. This way, you get to enjoy the party as well and not juggling hot pans in the kitchen.
Choose dishes that have different textures and colors. Offer at least 3-4 types of foods but not more than 6-8 or your guests will easily become overwhelmed and you’ll work way more than necessary. (unless is 7 course dinner party, of course)
I would suggest have at least one appetizer, one main dish, one dessert and some cheese and (fresh) fruit.
My go-to dessert at parties is cheesecake, especially cheesecake bars.
They are so easy to make and not to mention they can be made few days in advance.
This year, for my party I’m planning of “gifting” my guests with cute Holiday Cheesecake presents.
These holiday cheesecake presents were so much fun to make!
They feature an easy crust made with Honey Maid Honey Grahams, butter and sugar. The filling is made using the usual ingredients – cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Once the cheesecake is cooled and cut into bars, spread a thin layer of white chocolate over each bar offering a sticky ground for the decorations.
To decorate, use all kinds of Christmas sprinkles, preferably different shares and sizes.
You can find the recipe for Holiday Cheesecake presents and others at pinterest.com/nabisco. Pin your next holiday party and you could win $10,000
Yields 20 bars
30 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
5 hrTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 10 HONEY MAID Honey Grahams, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups crumbs)
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 eggs
- 4 oz white chocolate
- Holiday sprinkles and candy
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13X9" baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl combine graham crumbs, butter and the 3 tablespoons of sugar. With the back of a spoon press onto bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a mixing bowl add the cream cheese, remanning sugar and vanilla. With the paddle attachment on, beat on low speed until well blended.
- Add the eggs; mix just until blended. Pour over crust.
- Bake 30 min. or until center is almost set.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate 3 hours.
- Cut into bars.
- Melt the white chocolate and speed a little in a thin layer over each bar. Decorate with sprinkles to resemble presents.
I hope you will give a couple of these holiday presents to your friends and family, especially to cheesecake lovers!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of NABISCO. The opinions and text are all mine.
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