Three Easy, Delicious Bites to Make This Holiday

Party season is here, and I've been in the kitchen creating a few quick bites you can make in minutes, whether you cook often or barely at all.

It's always the simplest party starters that my guests devour first and want more of. So I've learned to stock my pantry with well-made items I can grab fast and turn into something delicious without much fuss...and bring a little joy.

This year, I discovered Effie's Biscuits, and have become a big fan. So much so, I put them on my list of Top Food Gifts of 2025 and partnered with them to bring you these recipes. If you want to try them yourself, Effie's is offering my community free shipping with code FreeShipCB. These biscuits are not the tall, tender biscuits you're used to me baking. They're a cross between a cracker and a cookie with exceptional flavor and crisp, buttery snap that makes them ideal for cheeseboards and holiday bites.

Below are three ways for you to use the Effie's Gruyère, Cocoa and Oatcake Biscuits when friends and family come over or when you head out to parties.

Shop them on the EffiesHomemade.com. Use code FreeShipCB to get free shipping.

Feel free to DM me on Instagram @ChadwickBoyd with questions as you make the recipes or reply to this email. I'm happy to help.

Gruyère Crisps with Prosciutto Wrapped Dates

The simplest crowd-pleasing salty-honey sweet bites studded with pink peppercorns

I love warm dates wrapped in crisp prosciutto during the holidays. Pairing them with Effie’s Gruyère Biscuits makes them even more special — salty, sweet and nutty with a wonderful crunch. The heat of the oven brings out the richness of the cheese in the biscuits and deepens the flavor of the dates and prosciutto. Cracked pink peppercorns add sparkle and make the bites feel especially festive on a plate or charcuterie board. These pair really well with a Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau or Noughty Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay.

HOW TO MAKE:
Arrange Gruyère Effie's Biscuits on a sheet pan lined with parchment. Place a date, or any dried fruit like apricots or plums, on top of each and wrap with prosciutto. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes, just until the prosciutto crisps and the edges of the biscuits slightly caramelize. Brush lightly with honey and finish with cracked pink peppercorns, or black peppercorns in a pinch, before serving.

Use code FreeShipCB to get free shipping.

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Cocoa Biscuit Bark Bites

Holiday bark made far easier with candied orange, chocolate pearls & smoked salt

These bark bites are for all you holiday bark lovers...but made a lot easier. No mess breaking everything apart. I love the subtle coconut and salt in the Cocoa Effie’s Biscuits. Candied orange brings bright chewy texture and a classic holiday touch. Chocolate pearls add playfulness and decadence while pinches of smoked flake salt make them feel like something from a boutique chocolate shop (you can find both in the specialty section at the grocery store). They take minutes to make and look beautiful on a platter served with a sparkling red, like Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui or Proxies Red Ember Non-Alcoholic red wine. They’re lovely packed in a tin or cellophane bag with ribbon for gifting, too.

HOW TO MAKE:
Set Effie’s Cocoa Biscuits on a parchment lined sheet pan. Place 4 to 5 small pieces of chopped candied orange on each biscuit. Melt dark chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave until smooth and glossy, about 3 minutes. Drizzle the warm chocolate over the biscuits so it lightly anchors the orange. Add 5 or 6 chocolate pearls, then drizzle a little more chocolate to set everything. Finish with smoked flake salt and a little sparkling sugar. Let the chocolate set at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator until firm.

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Cheese & Jam Holiday Tiles

A whimsical, savory play on classic jam-filled Linzer holiday cookies

These festive, snackable tiles are inspired by classic jam-filled Linzer holiday cookies, but they take almost no effort. Effie’s Oatcake Biscuits give you that crisp, toasted Linzer "base" while red pepper jelly (or any glossy jam) creates the bright “jewel." Slices of younger, pliable cheese, like emmethaler, fontina or manchego, are stamped with small, center Linzer cookie cutters (or other less-than-1-inch holiday cookie cutters) for the signature cutout. There’s no baking at all, yet they still make you look like the cleverest cook at the party whether you serve them at home or take them with you. Serve these with a dry or off-dry riesling, like Dr. Loosen Riesling, or alcohol-free Figlia Fiore aperitif.

HOW TO MAKE:
Arrange Effie’s Oatcake Biscuits on a cutting board. Carefully spread about 1/2 teaspoon red pepper or other jelly to the edges of the biscuits. Cut the cheese about 1/8-inch thick into slices to match the size of the biscuits, then stamp with small Linzer cookie cutters (less than 1-inch) and place on top. Decorate with small sprigs of fresh thyme. Gently sprinkle with flake salt like snow to finish. Chill for 10 to 15 minutes so the jelly holds its shape. Serve cool or at room temperature.

Use code FreeShipCB to get free shipping.

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