Easiest Appetizers Ever
Author: 
Serves: 15 Cups
 
Use frozen phyllo cups to have guests satisfied until dinner is served. See the notes at the end of the recipe for plenty of options!
Ingredients
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 package (15 cups) frozen phyllo cups
  • 5 tablespoons pepper jelly (either red or green)
  • 15 pecan or walnut halves, toasted
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, chives or thyme
Instructions
  1. Place the cream cheese in the freezer for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the phyllo cups from the freezer and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Remove the cream cheese from the freezer and cut into 15 small squares. Place a cube in the center of each phyllo cup and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and place a dollop of pepper jelly on top of the cheese. Add a pecan or walnut half and return to the oven for 3 minutes. Garnish with the fresh herbs and serve warm or at room temperature.
  3. Alternatives:
  4. Substitute a couple of small cooked salad shrimp for the pecans
  5. Use sliced green onion tops for the garnish and substitute cooked chopped ham for the pecans
  6. Add crumbled fried bacon before topping with the pecans
  7. Substitute caramelized onions for the pepper jelly.
  8. Instead of cream cheese, use cubed brie
  9. Fill the cups with pimento cheese and bake 5 minutes before serving
  10. Substitute diced roasted chicken for the pecans.
  11. Omit the pepper jelly and pecans. Use chopped pepperoni and garnish with red pepper flakes
  12. Instead of cream cheese, use herbed Boursin, feta or shredded gouda cheese
  13. Substitute diced prosciutto for the pecans and fig jam for the pepper jelly
  14. Fill the cups with spinach artichoke dip and bake 5 minutes before serving warm. Garnish with cayenne pepper
  15. Omit the pepper jelly and pecans. Top the warm cream cheese with fruit and drizzle with honey
Recipe by The Tennessee Magazine at https://www.tnmagazine.org/shell-game/