Santa’s Belt Crackers with Festive Red Pepper Dip Recipe
Introduction
Santa’s Belt Crackers Dip is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. These bite-sized crackers are decorated to look like Santa’s belt and served with a creamy, flavorful dip. They’re easy to make and sure to bring a smile to your guests’ faces.
Ingredients
- 24 round buttery crackers (e.g., Ritz)
- 6 slices mild cheddar cheese
- 24 small strips black olives
- 12 small squares yellow bell pepper or cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 2: Using a small round cookie cutter or a glass, cut the cheddar cheese slices into circles slightly smaller than the crackers.
- Step 3: Place one cheddar cheese circle on top of each cracker.
- Step 4: Lay a thin strip of black olive across the center of each cracker to form Santa’s belt.
- Step 5: Place a small square of yellow bell pepper or cheddar cheese in the center of the olive strip to represent the belt buckle.
- Step 6: Arrange the decorated crackers on a platter around the bowl of dip and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute roasted red peppers with sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor profile in the dip.
- Use mini pretzel sticks instead of black olive strips for a crunchy belt alternative.
- Try flavored cream cheese such as garden vegetable or garlic herb to add extra depth to the dip.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the cheddar cheese is made without animal rennet.
Storage
Store leftover dip covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crackers and assembled Santa belts are best served fresh and are not suitable for storage as they may become soggy. Reheat is not recommended; instead, prepare fresh crackers before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the dip ahead of time?
Yes, the dip can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
What if I don’t have a small cookie cutter for the cheddar circles?
You can carefully cut the cheese slices with a sharp knife or use the rim of a small glass to shape the circles. Just make sure they are slightly smaller than the crackers to fit nicely.
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Santa’s Belt Crackers with Festive Red Pepper Dip Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Santa’s Belt Crackers Dip is a festive and creative appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. This easy-to-assemble dish combines buttery crackers topped with mild cheddar ‘belts’ adorned with black olive strips and yellow bell pepper buckles, served alongside a creamy, flavorful whipped cream cheese dip with roasted red peppers and chives. Its playful presentation and rich flavors make it an irresistible party starter.
Ingredients
For the Crackers
- 24 round buttery crackers (e.g., Ritz)
- 6 slices mild cheddar cheese
- 24 small strips black olives
- 12 small squares yellow bell pepper or cheddar cheese
For the Dip
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dip: In a medium bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until smooth and well-blended. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and refrigerate it until ready to serve to enhance the flavors and keep it chilled.
- Cut Cheddar Circles: Using a small round cookie cutter or a glass, cut the cheddar cheese slices into circles slightly smaller than the crackers to ensure a perfect fit on top.
- Assemble Crackers: Place one cheddar cheese circle on top of each buttery cracker, creating the base of Santa’s belt.
- Create Belts: Lay a thin strip of black olive horizontally across the center of each cheddar-topped cracker to resemble Santa’s belt strap.
- Add Belt Buckles: Position a small square of yellow bell pepper or cheddar cheese in the center of each olive strip to imitate the belt buckle, adding a festive touch.
- Serve: Arrange the decorated crackers on a platter surrounding the bowl of prepared dip. Serve immediately to ensure the crackers stay crisp and the dip fresh for guests to enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute the yellow bell pepper with small cheddar cheese squares for a milder buckle flavor.
- For a more intense dip flavor, let the dip chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Use fresh chives to add a mild onion flavor; dried chives can be used but reduce quantity to 1 tablespoon.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the buttery crackers with gluten-free crackers.
- Ensure the black olive strips are thin for easy biting and better presentation.
- This recipe is best served fresh to maintain the crispiness of the crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: holiday appetizer, Christmas snack, Santa belt crackers, festive dip, cream cheese dip, cheddar crackers, party appetizers, easy no cook
