Easy Holiday Appetizers with a Sweet & Spicy Twist ⭐

December Pepper Post – Sweet With a Little Kick

The weeks leading up to Christmas are busy, but that doesn’t mean appetizers have to be complicated. These three easy recipes come together quickly and bring just the right mix of sweet and heat to your holiday table. Whether you’re hosting family, bringing a dish to share, or putting out something special for an evening at home, these are simple, dependable favorites that always disappear fast.

🍓 Brie with Strawberry Jalapeño Preserves

Ingredients

  • Wheel or wedge of brie cheese

  • Campbell Gardens Strawberry Jalapeño Preserves

  • Wafer crackers or pretzel-style crackers

Directions

  1. Cut the brie into small slices or wedges, sized to fit your crackers.

  2. Place a slice of brie on each wafer or pretzel cracker.

  3. Spoon a small dollop of Strawberry Jalapeño Preserves over the top.

  4. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

Serving Tip

This appetizer works beautifully with either a delicate wafer cracker or a sturdier pretzel cracker. The pretzel adds a salty crunch that pairs exceptionally well with the sweet-heat preserves.

🍑 Peach Jalapeño Sausage Coins

Ingredients

  • 1 package smoked sausage (such as kielbasa), sliced into ½-inch coins

  • Campbell Gardens Peach Jalapeño Preserves

  • 1 ring of Candied Jalapeño on top

Directions

  1. Cook the sausage:
    Place sausage coins in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until lightly browned on both sides and heated through, about 6–8 minutes.

  2. Warm the preserves:
    Reduce the heat to low. Add Peach Jalapeño Preserves to the skillet, stirring gently to coat the sausage. Heat just until the preserves are warmed and glossy — do not boil.

  3. Plate and finish:
    Transfer sausage coins to a serving dish. Spoon a little extra preserve over the top and finish each coin with a slice of candied jalapeño.

  4. Plate and finish:
    Transfer sausage coins to a serving dish. Spoon a little extra preserve over the top and finish each coin with a slice of candied jalapeño.

Serving Tip

For parties, keep these warm in a small slow cooker and add the candied jalapeño slices just before serving

🥨 Pepper Jelly Twists

These creamy, sweet-heat bites look elegant but take minutes to make. Perfect on a cheese board or as a quick holiday appetizer.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

  • Campbell Gardens Red and Green Pepper Jelly

Directions

  1. Cut puff pastry into strips.

  2. Brush lightly with pepper jelly.

  3. Twist and bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes or until golden and crisp.

Serving Tip

Bake ahead and reheat briefly before serving. These are just as good warm or at room temperature.

With a bit of planning and a few good ingredients, holiday appetizers don’t have to be complicated. These easy recipes bring together sweet and heat in a way that’s familiar, comforting, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting family or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, good food has a way of making the season feel even better.

Michele, The Pepper Lady 🌶️💚❤️
Keeping it sweet with a little kick

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Campbell Gardens.