As the year draws to a close and the countdown to midnight begins, what better way to celebrate than with dazzling dishes that are all dressed up and ready to party? Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand New Year’s Eve bash, these recipes are sure to make your celebration unforgettable.
While mousse usually evokes thoughts of chocolate, this elegant version made with Champagne is a perfect way to ring in the New Year. The natural carbonation makes it an incredibly light but decadent treat.
We love spinach artichoke dip as much as the next person, but sometimes you need to shake things up a little. A can of crescent rolls and some cheese turn the party staple into a tear-and-share centerpiece. Bonus: The leftover jarred peppers can be used to make the romesco sauce for our shrimp cocktail recipe below.
3. Shrimp with Easy Romesco Sauce
This might look like a traditional shrimp cocktail, but one taste of the sauce will tell you there’s nothing boring about it. We upgraded a classic cocktail sauce with roasted red peppers and almonds, giving it the bold flavors of a Spanish Romesco sauce.
Raise a glass to a big batch cocktail that combines the tartness of lemon and cranberry with the rich undertones of whiskey. If you have any frozen cranberries leftover from the holidays, they can serve double duty as both garnish and ice cubes.
5. Mimosa Cupcakes with Champagne Frosting
While these flavors may be a mainstay of your favorite brunch spot, orange juice and Champagne can also transform boxed cake mix into a special occasion treat. Make them really pop by using gold foil cupcake liners with matching sprinkles or edible glitter.
A coating of sugar makes these grapes look frosty, and you bet your guests will be surprised when they find out they’re spiked with prosecco. Use a glass or crystal serving bowl to show these off, but make sure to keep them out of reach of any little ones.
In-season grapefruit is a thing to behold, and what better way to celebrate it than with this pink and orange stunner of a cocktail. Oranges balance out the tartness, which transforms into something completely magical once rosé and champagne join the party.
8. Smoked Salmon and Matzo Appetizer
Originally inspired by a Passover seder, these classy bites will be the talk of any celebration. Paper-thin radishes give a peppery bite to the rich and silky salmon.
9. Air-Fried Feta Bites with Honey
It’s hard to think of a better snack than these crunchy, cheesy bites drizzled with honey and everything bagel seasoning. The feta doesn’t melt as you air-fry it, but instead gets a wonderful golden crust.
It wouldn’t be a party without crab dip, and this one channels the flavors of Maryland’s famous “Crab Imperial” into casserole-sized proportions. While the Dijon mustard and lemon pack in a lot of flavor, you can kick things up a notch by swapping the paprika for cayenne or using Old Bay seasoning.
11. All Appetizer Grazing Board
Let’s be honest… it’s been quite a year and after a long holiday season maybe the best gift we can give ourselves is a nice cozy evening at home. This grazing board is easy to build using favorites from the freezer aisle, so you can put on your sweatpants and have a casual evening with the family.
