Say Yes to These 45 Engagement Party Recipes
Updated: Jan. 16, 2019Engagement season soon turns to engagement party season. Try these elegant finger foods and cocktails to celebrate the big day ahead!
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Spiced Peach Puffs
We always made cream puffs for special occasions when I was growing up in our family of seven. Sometimes we used a custard filling, but this version with whipped cream and peaches is the best. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario 2 / 45
Cranberry Orange Mimosas
Mimosas are just so elegant for Sunday brunch. My recipe uses tart cranberries to balance the sweetness of champagne and orange juice. —Shannon Stephens, Lake in the Hills, Illinois
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Berry Tartlets
Bring spring flavors together in these delectable miniature tarts. Raspberries and blueberries both work well with the whipped cream and lemon curd mixture or choose your favorite berries instead. These sweet treats are great for a ladies tea, brunch or spring holiday celebration. —Mary J. Walters, Westerville, Ohio 4 / 45
Lemon-Herb Salmon Toasts
Quick, light and tasty, my salmon toasts make irresistible finger food. —Christie Wells, Lake Villa, Illinois 5 / 45
Bubbly Champagne Punch
This champagne punch, served at my wedding, continues to this day to be the elegant drink we serve at special events. —Anita Geoghagan, Woodstock, Georgia 6 / 45
Almond-Bacon Cheese Crostini
For a change from the usual toasted tomato appetizer, try this baked crostini recipe. If you like, slice the baguette at an angle instead of making a straight cut. —Leondre Hermann, Stuart, Florida 7 / 45
Caprese Salad Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make these as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California 8 / 45
Mini Chocolate Wafer Cakes
I first made these cakes for a friend when I lived in the dorms at college and had no access to appliances. Little did I know I would be making them 20 years later for my children! —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina 9 / 45
Cucumber Canapes
I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts 10 / 45
Elegant White Chocolate Mousse
Simply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy recipe extra special. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts 11 / 45
Beef Wellington Fried Wontons
These tasty appetizers scale down classic beef Wellington to an ideal party size. They feel fancy and fun! —Dianne Phillips, Tallapoosa, Georgia 12 / 45
Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Baking a fun treat is a must when my four grandchildren come to stay for "grandma camp." Sometimes the grandkids help by piping the cake batter. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin 13 / 45
Greek Veggie Tartlets
The mixture in this recipe was originally a salad I made after a trip to Greece. When my husband suggested I serve it in phyllo cups, it became my most-requested appetizer!—Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida 14 / 45
Champagne Punch
A blend of four fruit juices pairs well with bubbly champagne in this party-pleasing punch. A strawberry garnish adds a festive touch. —Amy Short, Lesage, West Virginia 15 / 45
Steak & Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Onion & Roasted Tomato Jam
An appetizer bursting with flavor from bleu cheese, caramelized onion, jam and balsamic vinegar—tasty bites that vanish in a hurry. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida 16 / 45
Mixed Berry Sangria
This is a light, tasty beverage to serve with spoons so everyone can enjoy the fresh berries once the sangria is gone. — Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois 17 / 45
Tangier Island Virginia Crab Cakes
I grew up eating these crab cakes, which are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. They're absolutely delicious every time I make them. —Ann Girucky, Norfolk, Virginia 18 / 45
Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
To make these cute tarts more quickly, add the filling to store-bought phyllo tart shells. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon 19 / 45
Smoked Salmon Bites
Because smoked salmon is one of my favorite ingredients, it plays a big role here. Best of all, there’s no cooking involved. —Tom Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey 20 / 45
Nutty Stuffed Mushrooms
Basil, Parmesan cheese and mushroom blend together well, while buttery pecans give these treats a surprising crunch. Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always ask for them! —Mildred Eldred, Union City, Michigan 21 / 45
Antipasto Platter
We entertain often, and antipasto is one of our favorite crowd-pleasers. Guests love having their choice of so many delicious nibbles, including pepperoni and cubes of provolone. —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, Illinois 22 / 45
Nutella-Stuffed Strawberries
Gourmet strawberries are pricey to order but easy to make. We serve strawberries with hazelnut spread as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or dessert. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon 23 / 45
Onion Brie Appetizers
Guests will think you spent hours preparing these cute appetizers, but they're really easy to assemble, using purchased puff pastry. And the tasty combination of Brie, caramelized onions and caraway is terrific. -Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio 24 / 45
Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream Puffs
This recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can't eat just one…hey are so addicting & they're perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 25 / 45
Marinated Olive & Cheese Ring
We love to make meals into celebrations, and antipasto always kicks off the party for Italian dinners. This one is almost too pretty to eat, especially when sprinkled with pimientos, fresh basil and parsley. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania 26 / 45
Fontina Asparagus Tart
This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan 27 / 45
Garlic-Herb Mini Quiches
Looking for a wonderful way to impress guests? You’ve got it—and you need only five ingredients to make these tasty apps! —Josephine Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania 28 / 45
Marinated Almond-Stuffed Olives
Marinated stuffed olives go over so well with company that I try to keep a batch of them in the fridge at all times. —Larissa Delk, Columbia, Tennessee 29 / 45
Frosted Chocolate Cake
This recipe is my mother's oldest and most popular chocolate cake recipe. I always thought it should have a fancier name, but this is what she called it. Mom would say a fancy name would not make it taste better. —Beth Bristow West Plains, Missouri 30 / 45
Spicy Crab Salad Tapas
I served these at a party and everyone went wild! These delicious morsels have a crispy flaky outside filled with creamy sweet crab that has a little kick. I used scalloped-edge cookie cutters to cut my pastry, but you can use a small biscuit cutter. —Vanessa Mason, Summerdale, Alabama 31 / 45
Party Shrimp
The marinade for this dish makes the shrimp so flavorful, you won't even need a dipping sauce. Even those who claim they don’t like shellfish really dig this appetizer. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado 32 / 45
Rosemary & Thyme Lemon Cocktail
A bubbly drink means it's time to celebrate! Try dressing up the usual hard lemonade with sprigs of rosemary and thyme for a refreshingly different cocktail any time of year. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York 33 / 45
Goat Cheese & Onion Pastries
A flaky puff pastry crust holds sweet caramelized onions and creamy goat cheese for an easy yet upscale appetizer. The recipe is a must on all our entertaining menus. —Heidi Ellis, Monument, Colorado 34 / 45
Best Deviled Eggs
Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia 35 / 45
Peach Champagne
I searched high and low for the perfect punch recipe and finally decided to create my own. This sipper is a big hit at parties, especially weddings. In summer I freeze fresh peaches and fresh strawberries; if you don't have fresh fruit, store-bought frozen fruit works just as well. —Linda Hall, Evington, Virginia 36 / 45
Gorgonzola & Cranberry Cheese Ball
A cheese ball is a classic appetizer to take to any gathering, and it's so easy to make. This version, studded with tangy dried cranberries, is a holiday hit. —Kathy Hahn, Pollock Pines, California 37 / 45
Greek Stuffed Mini Potatoes
I love this recipe because you can serve it warm or cold. I usually make these stuffed potatoes ahead and serve them chilled with a tzatziki sauce. —Dee Guelcher, Acworth, Georgia 38 / 45
Asparagus Bruschetta
For a light bite, Elaine Sweet created these pretty appetizers. “I really like asparagus, so I’m always trying it in different things,” says the Dallas, Texas reader. "This is a delicious twist on traditional bruschetta." 39 / 45
Orange Dream Mimosas
Your inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri 40 / 45
Brie Puff Pastry
My husband was in the Air Force, so we've entertained guests all over the United States. I acquired this recipe while in California. It's one of my favorite special appetizers. —Sandra Twait, Tampa, Florida 41 / 45
Parmesan-Bacon Bubble Bread
When I needed to put some leftover bread dough to good use, I started with a recipe I often use for bubble bread and substituted savory ingredients for the sweet. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas 42 / 45
Contest-Winning Mocha Fondue
At our friends’ 25th anniversary celebration, several couples had fun concocting this chocolate fondue. With fresh fruit, marshmallows, pretzels and vanilla wafers as dippers, everyone will want to dive into dessert! —Karen Boehner, Glen Elder, Kansas 43 / 45
Steak Crostini with Carrot-Horseradish Marmalade
I've been making little tweaks to this family favorite for years. Prep everything ahead, then layer up the crostini right before party time. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas 44 / 45
Berries in Champagne Jelly
My sister gave me this recipe a few years back when I was looking for an elegant fruit dish to serve guests. I sometimes serve this party-pretty fruit treat at brunch—just before the main dish. It’s also sparkly and special enough to double as a light dessert. —Andrea Barnhoom, Scottsville, New York 45 / 45
Shortbread Hearts
These flaky cookies melt in your mouth. Dipped in chocolate, they look festive.—Barbara Birk, St. George, Utah Originally Published: January 16, 2019
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