Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe for a French Bread Bake

Easy Holiday Appetizer recipes are hostess's best friend! With this French Bread bake you can whip up a platter of delicious appetizers in a snap.

And I know that quick and easy is the mantra for my holiday season! There's enough other stuff to worry about so having a recipe with french bread you can pick up at the store that will STILL wow guests is one you definitely want up your sleeve.

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Fresh Ingredients for Holiday Appetizer

This french bread appetizer recipe is super simple, especially if you start with a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery.

• French french bread loaf
• Neufchatel Cream cheese
• Feta cheese
• Sun dried tomatoes
• Fresh Basil
• Grape tomatoes
• Olives
• 13″ Chip and chip tray

Cut and Spread French Bread

With a bread knife cut your loaf in half longways. Mix softened cream cheese and spread onto a freshly cut loaf. I find a rubber spatula works well to spread over the large surface.

After evenly spreading the cream cheese, sprinkle on a generous layer of feta cheese. You are also welcome to use blue cheese crumbles for this recipe, just cut down on the amount so it doesn't overpower the other ingredients.

Dice Easy Holiday Appetizer Toppings

The sun dried tomatoes absolutely make this recipe! Drain any excess oil from the tomatoes and use your kitchen shears to cut strips and then pieces of tomato. Alternately you can add the sun dried tomatoes as strips if you'd like.

After your tomatoes are all sprinkled, chop your fresh basil, or use your kitchen shears to cut them into ribbons and again into confetti sized pieces of deliciousness.

People have asked if you can skip the basil and the answer is absolutely not! 😉 Fresh basil packs such a flavorful punch you really don't want to leave it out.

French Bread Bake

Now that your toppings are on, feel free to sprinkle on a little feta over the top before putting the bread into the oven to toast. Broil on high for just a few minutes, until the cream cheese is very soft and feta starts to melt just a bit.

Doesn't that red and green look so festive?

Slice Holiday Appetizer

Once your bread is nice and toasty, using your bread knife, cut each half-loaf into slices. I was able to get 12 slices from one half of my french bread bake.

If you are interested in creating a fun presentation I highly recommend arranging your bread appetizers on a large {13″} chip and dip tray or round platter. Leaving the rounded end slices out of the circle will help your circle stay nice and wreath-like.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Garnish

Adding mixed olives and fresh tomatoes to the center of your chip and dip tray is the perfect addition to your savory holiday bread. If you're using a round platter to serve the bread appetizer, just use a small bowl for the center olives & tomatoes.

The finishing touches are the basil leaves, cut {with those kitchen shears} in the shape of holly leaves. I have to admit the “holly” and “berries” look pretty dang cute for a Christmas party.

Serve your French Bread Bake

Whether serving these easy holiday appetizers on a buffet table, or passing them around the dining room, they are as delicious as they are festive. What do you think? Are you ready to try them?

If you do make this french bread bake , I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. And if you share photos, I want to see it too! Please tag us @partieswithacause on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. We love celebrating all your hard work! 

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