Mini muffin appetizers start with Jiffy cornbread mix for a sweet and salty flavor combo. They’re delicious bite-sized sandwiches with turkey, brie, and cranberry-cream cheese spread, and make a festive Christmas party appetizer for cocktail parties or girls night in.

Christmas corn muffin appetizers on white platter with rosemary garland

Mini muffin party sandwiches

I think it’s safe to say we’re in full holiday mode around here. And with that comes shopping, hosting a Christmas cocktail party, a special Christmas dinner party, or a holiday girls night in.

Today I’m sharing this party recipe plus a few more appetizers so you will have plenty of choices in your recipe box for your holiday gathering.

These mini muffin appetizers are full of seasonal flavor and are super festive. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving ideas as well as Christmas.

They couldn’t be easier to make as each ingredient is a convenience item so this is more assembling than cooking.

Christmas party appetizers on platter with rosemary garland

Mini appetizers recipe

I recommend you combine the cranberry spread at least a couple of hours ahead so it can sit in the refrigerator and the flavors can blend together.

This appetizer recipe starts with Jiffy corn muffin mix. Once you’ve prepared and baked it using a mini muffin pan, let them cool completely so you can begin assembling.

Of course you could use your homemade cranberry sauce for this recipe if you like, but the canned whole berry sauce is so convenient and easy. The cranberry cream cheese spread really makes these appetizers special.

PARTY TIP: After the cream cheese-cranberry spread has chilled for a while, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes so it’s easy to spread on the muffin sandwiches.

The sweet cornbread balances out the saltiness of the turkey and brie, while the spread adds moisture and a sweet-tart flavor.

mini corn muffins on white platter overhead view

PARTY TIP: Decorate your serving platter for the holidays by adding a “wreath” of rosemary and fresh cranberries.

mini muffin sandwich appetizers on white plate

Classic Christmas party appetizers

Here are more tried and true Christmas appetizers I’ve been including at my parties for years.

No Christmas cocktail party is complete without my bourbon meatballs.
These sweet & spicy pecans are another Christmas tradition. But you don’t have to make them only at the holidays!
I will usually serve at least one of the variations of this baked brie topped 3 ways.
If you love mini sandwiches for parties, you simply must make these baked mini party sandwiches with brown sugar glaze.
And these beautiful dried apricot-blue cheese canapes from TidyMom look like something I need to start making too!

Mini cornbread appetizers

You’ll notice in this recipe I recommend using Jiffy brand muffin mix. That’s because they have a delicious sweetness that is the essence of the sweet and salty combination.

Jiffy is a true Southern classic and I use it for my cornbread spoon bread as well. You could also use it to make homemade baked corndogs.

However, you can try these with a more savory mix too, if you like.

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