If you want to create some excitement at your next holiday party, why not make these funny appetizers? Looking like penguins, ladybugs, and flowers, this is an easy, fun collection of appetizers perfect for holidays.
To make them, you will need cream cheese, breads (two different kinds), olives, carrots, and tomatoes. The combination of raw veggies and cream cheese gives a great balance of crunch and creaminess. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Better yet, you can make these ahead of time, so they’re great for entertaining. These funny appetizers will be a hit with both children and adults! You’ll love it!
For these appetizers, it’s best to use the freshest ingredients you can find. Look for bright-red, plump tomatoes, shiny olives, and leaves that aren’t wilted.
You can leave the carrot peels on if you like, but if you’re using large carrots, they might taste biter.
The bread used for the flower appetizers can be toasted before using. Not only will it create more texture, but the bread will also hold its shape better.
You can make all these appetizers ahead of time. Slice all the pieces of bread and vegetables, and assemble the appetizers. Place on a large sheet and wrap with plastic wrap. Dot the ladybugs with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Store leftovers in the fridge (in an airtight container) for up to 3 days.
To make the Penguin appetizers, you will need carrots, black olives, and cream cheese. The carrots will be used to create the penguin’s ‘feet’, while the olives and cream cheese create the penguin's body.
To make the Penguin appetizers, you will need carrots, black olives, and cream cheese. The carrots will be used to create the penguin’s ‘feet’, while the olives and cream cheese create the penguin's body.
To make the penguin’s body, cut the olives in half.
To make the penguin’s body, cut the olives in half.
Fill the olive halves with cream cheese.
Fill the olive halves with cream cheese.
Slice the carrot into slices.
Slice the carrot into slices.
Create triangles out of the rounds—these are the feet. Use some of the extra triangles to make a beak.
Create triangles out of the rounds—these are the feet. Use some of the extra triangles to make a beak.
Do this by putting the small triangle in the opening of the olive.
Do this by putting the small triangle in the opening of the olive.
Put everything together and stick the toothpick through the penguin.
For these pretty ladybug appetizers, you will need cherry tomatoes, black olives, toasted bread, cream cheese, and basil leaves.
Put everything together and stick the toothpick through the penguin.
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and separate them slightly to create the body of the ladybug.
For these pretty ladybug appetizers, you will need cherry tomatoes, black olives, toasted bread, cream cheese, and basil leaves.
Slice the tops off of the olives—this will create the head. Set aside.
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and separate them slightly to create the body of the ladybug.
To create the ladybugs, spread the cream cheese on the toasted bread and add the basil leaf on top.
Slice the tops off of the olives—this will create the head. Set aside.
Add half of the cherry tomato and the piece of olive to assemble the body and head of the ladybug.
To create the ladybugs, spread the cream cheese on the toasted bread and add the basil leaf on top.
Use a toothpick and balsamic glaze to create dots on the ladybug.
Add half of the cherry tomato and the piece of olive to assemble the body and head of the ladybug.
Serve!
To make the flower appetizers, you will need bread slices, cream cheese, smoked salmon, and basil.
Use a toothpick and balsamic glaze to create dots on the ladybug.
Take each slice of bread and cut it using a flower-shaped cookie cutter.
Serve!
Working with half of the slices, use a circle cutter to remove the center part.
To make the flower appetizers, you will need bread slices, cream cheese, smoked salmon, and basil.
Spread the cream cheese on a solid flower slice.
Take each slice of bread and cut it using a flower-shaped cookie cutter.
Cover with the slice that has a hole in the middle.
Working with half of the slices, use a circle cutter to remove the center part.
Add a piece of smoked salmon to the middle.
Spread the cream cheese on a solid flower slice.
Place the bread flowers on a plate and decorate it with basil leaves.