Appetizers for Easy Entertaining

When it comes time to entertain family and friends, it’s important to have a few simple, warm appetizers and small plates at the ready. Plan your menu with recipes that can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the oven when guests arrive. It can make hosting easier and more enjoyable.

A versatile ingredient that can enhance your favorite sweet and savory recipes, Musselman's Apple Butter is more than just a spread. It's made the old-fashioned way for perfect texture and a rich apple-cinnamon flavor, giving parties and get-togethers a unique taste in recipes like this Apple Brie Bites and Apple Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp.

For more appetizers ideal for entertaining at musselmans.com.

Apple Brie Bites

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

5 ounces Brie cheese

1/2 cup Musselman's Apple Butter

1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease mini muffin pan.

Press seams of puff pastry sheet together. Cut sheets into quarter, then each quarter into six pieces. Use rolling pin to flatten each piece of pastry into square shape. Place one square into each muffin cup.

Put 1/2 teaspoon of brie, 1 teaspoon apple butter, and 1/2 teaspoon chopped pecans into each muffin cup.

Bake 13-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

Apple Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

3/4 cup Musselman's Apple Butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

10 pieces bacon

10 extra large shrimp, cleaned and deveined

Cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In medium skillet over medium heat, add apple butter, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, salt, and paprika. Whisk until mixture is thick and cooked down by half, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

In large skillet over medium heat, add bacon slices and cook until brown but still flexible. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel-lined plate.

Wrap one bacon slice around each shrimp, secure with a toothpick, and place onto prepared baking sheet.

Once all shrimp have been wrapped, baste tops with apple butter mixture.

Bake 5 minutes then flip and baste other side of shrimp. Bake another 5 minutes. Continue to flip and baste shrimp (2 minutes each time) until shrimp is fully cooked. Do not overcook glaze as it can burn. Sprinkle with cilantro if desired.