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Updated on June 24, 2022
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It's time to party like it's 1965! These retro party appetizers, co*cktails, and desserts are delicious, easy, and totally worth celebrating. It's time for the ultimate #TBT party spread.
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Pimiento Cheese Dip
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Throw a soiree in true southern style with tangy pimento cheese dip. This delicious vintage recipe calls for just four ingredients, plus a few pantry staple spices. Even better news: It's best to make the dip at least an hour ahead to allow for chill time (aka this is a terrific option for totally stress-free entertaining).
Because everything is better with bacon, including party snacks, serve these showy shellfish at your throwback bash. The little shellfish might look like those that mom made for sports-viewing parties, but they back a surprising explosion of flavor. The spicy secret lies in the marinade, featuring lemon and chili-garlic sauce.
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Bourbon-Brown Sugar Nuts
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When you're feeling frisky, just add whiskey! A splash of the brown liquor takes these toasted nuts to party-worthy heights. A sweet and spicy mix of seasonings (cinnamon and brown sugar; cayenne and black pepper) will have everyone asking, "hmm...what is that?"—and reaching for another handful of the easy party appetizer.
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Pressure Cooker Bacon Deviled Eggs
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Hard-cooked eggs can be a hassle. Not when you cook 'em by the half-dozen in an Instant Pot! They reach tender, stuffing-ready perfection after just eight minutes of cook time, and only get better when you dress up this retro recipe with mayo, mustard, bacon, and chives.
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Herbed Cheese Mini Peppers
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Herb-spiked cream cheese dips are always among the first to disappear at our bashes. Enter: This classic party appetizer that transforms the dip into a finger food option. Just spoon or pipe it into mini peppers for grub you can eat on the go. (In our case, that means on the way to grab another retro appetizer idea or swing by the bar to mix up a mocktail!)
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Smoky Cheese Ball
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Little feels more retro yet timeless than a fully-loaded cheese ball. Make 'em mini or make one mondo—either way, this nutty cheese ball will draw crowds of fans at your vintage-theme party. A couple of spoonfuls of steak sauce make the "smoky" description spot-on.
Test Kitchen Tip: Mix together the cheese ball ingredients, cover tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to a month to cut down on party prep time. Just thaw overnight and roll in nuts before serving.
One of the most popular recipes on BHG.com in recent years, this easy party appetizer proves that pickles will never go out of style. We've mashed-up the concepts of stuffed peppers and the Midwestern classic ham-and-pickle wraps into one fantastic finger food recipe. Try them with ham or turkey—or offer a mix of both for a crowd-pleasing deli spread.
Pickled Recipes That Go Way Beyond Cucumbers
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Mom's Ribbon Gelatin
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We've never seen a more adorable gelatin treat. Especially for a kid's rainbow birthday party or for a festive St. Patrick's Day dessert! Just add a pot of gold alongside the platter of vibrant, fruit-flavored bites to complete the scene.
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Mini Bacon-Mushroom Quiches
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Put away that box of frozen mini quiches. These cheesy bacon and mushroom bites come together in just 30 minutes (thanks to purchased puff pastry) and are so much better than premade options. For the most flavor, choose shiitake or cremini mushrooms rather than the white button variety.
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Blueberry Bundt Cake
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A tube pan ($45, Williams Sonoma) such as a bundt cake, screams "1960s!" in the very best way; that's when it burst onto the scene at the Pillsbury Bake-Off. Take the format and bring this vintage cake recipe into the 21st century with unique flavors such as cardamom, rye, and a fresh berry-citrus glaze. Boxed cake mix can't even come close to the deliciousness.
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Spinach-Artichoke Cheese Ball
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No need to dunk this dip! This retro cheese ball recipe is filled with the classic flavors of artichoke dip like spinach, roasted red peppers, and Parmesan cheese. Whip up this easy party appetizer in just two simple steps.
Updated by
Sarah Martens
Sarah Martens
Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years.
The cheese ball is the ultimate '70s party appetizer — and this classic chive and green olive cheese ball is sure to be a hit. Just roll that bad boy into a ball and serve it with crackers, it's really that simple.
Cheap catering food ideas include rice or pasta-based dishes, hot dogs, burritos, tacos, cookies, and muffins, which are loved by everyone and are often more affordable than sophisticated seafood or meat dishes.
On Trent's list of treats she loves to give and receive: a favorite room spray with a cute ribbon, a simple candle with a sweet note, or a single flower in a keepsake bud vase. "This is always cute, because it's meant just for the host," she says of the individual bloom.
Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.
For a buffet you'd need devilled eggs, cheese and silver skin onion / pineapple hedgehog, twiglets, Black Forest gateaux for pud, mushroom and/or prawn vol-au-vents and if you're posh you need a poached salmon deforested with cucumber 'scales'.
Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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