141 party recipes

Hot wassail punch with apple cider, apricot nectar, dark rum, brown sugar, and clove-studded oranges simmered low with cinnamon sticks. A big-batch holiday warmer for a party crowd.

Triple-cheese ball rolled in toasted almonds and fresh parsley. Cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and cold pack cheese blended into a rich, nutty party appetizer.

Loaded avocado dip with bacon, sour cream, cucumber, and a kick of hot sauce. A no-cook party dip that's like guacamole's smokier, tangier cousin.

Trout fillets baked in parchment parcels with julienned courgettes, carrots, mangetout, herb butter, and fresh mint. An elegant en papillote dish for a dinner party.

Concentration candy cookies: brown sugar-pecan cookies topped with matched pairs of colored candy-coated chocolates. A clever kids' memory-match game cookie for parties.

Layered Mexican dip with mashed avocado, picante sauce, black olives, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese. A no-cook party appetizer served with tortilla chips.

Classic Knorr-style spinach dip with sour cream, mayo, water chestnuts, green onions, and dry vegetable soup mix. The overnight-chill party dip everyone hoards.

Artichoke squares baked with chopped artichoke hearts, shredded cheddar, eggs, and oregano. Onion and garlic sauté in the artichoke marinade for extra depth. Great party appetizer.

Individual baked corn custards with green onions and a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb topping. Scaled for two, low-calorie, and elegant enough for a dinner party side.

Curried beef meatballs with almonds and water chestnuts, fried crisp and served in a sweet-and-sour pineapple curry sauce. A crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties.

Tricolor Boboli pizzas: prebaked crusts topped with olive tapenade, caramelized red onion, red peppers, goat cheese, and toasted pine nuts. A 1990s Mediterranean dinner-party shortcut.

Bread machine mini doughnut balls fried golden and topped with melted chocolate, chopped almonds, powdered sugar, or cinnamon. Party-sized yeast doughnuts without the hard work.

Saucy franks in cranberry chili sauce made in the microwave with just three ingredients. A sweet-tangy hot dog appetizer ready in 15 minutes for parties and game days.

Strawberry-shaped cookies made from a stovetop date and Rice Krispies mixture, rolled in red sugar with green icing stems. A fun no-bake candy-cookie for kids and parties.

An elegant chilled walnut custard cream spiked with kirsch, unmolded and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce. A make-ahead French-inspired dinner party dessert that serves 10.

Individual chicken pot pies with rosemary-infused cream sauce, sugar snap peas, carrots, and pearl onions under a puffed golden pastry lid. Dinner party-worthy comfort food.