Spicy Olive Cheese Bites- Holiday Recipes

I love Christmas time and making some of our favorite holiday recipes each year is one of my favorite traditions. A long time ago, my mom, sister, and I discovered a version of this olive recipe in a cookbook my great-aunt gave us. It was one of those compilation cookbooks- from a Chamber of Commerce or like organization- that has lots of recipes from numerous people.

The recipe is simple enough- butter, flour, a few spices, cheese, olives, but the result is one of our very favorite appetizers- and one that has become a tradition for holidays around my mom’s house.

I decided to change up the recipe just a bit and used Mezzetta’s stuffed olives. I did a combo of jalapeño- and garlic-stuffed olives and the result? Well, my husband can’t stop eating them!

Here’s what you do: (See bottom of post for printable recipe)

Mix flour, salt, and paprika. If you’re not using the jalapeño olives, you can also add in some chili powder. Add in cheese and butter. Use your hands to fully incorporate the dough.

Wrap dough around each olive, then roll olives between your hands, using a circular motion, to smooth out the dough.

Freeze olives for at least one hour before baking.

Bake at 375 for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown.

Mezzetta is offering a downloadable coupon for $.50 off coupon on any Mezzetta products. The coupon is located on the campaign landing page and is available from December 1st through December 31st.

Also, until December 31st, Mezzetta is giving away 31 Gift Baskets each and every day. Look at this basket-full of yumminess! You can enter the giveaway here.