Macaroni and Cheese Bites & Spiced Apple Cider

Serves: Makes 24 | Prep: 20 min | Cook: 20 min

Ingredients:

Macaroni and Cheese Bites:
1 cup ritz crackers, finely crushed
3 Tbsp butter, melted
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
6 oz small shell pasta
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup herbed cream cheese, room temperature
1 Tbsp butter
1 egg
1-2 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced

Spiced Apple Cider:
1 lemon wedge
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 oz spiced rum
4-6 oz Apple Cider

Garnish:
Apple slices
Cinnamon stick

Directions:

Macaroni and Cheese Bites:
Preheat oven 375F/190C. Grease a 24-count mini muffin tin.

In a bowl mix cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, and melted butter, mix well. Take one teaspoon of mixture and place into each muffin cup, pressing the crust firmly and coming up a little on the sides.

Prepare the macaroni by boiling in salted water until al dente. Once cooked, drain and return to the warm pot, add the remaining 1 3/4 cups cheddar cheese, sour cream, herbed cream cheese, butter and egg. Mix well smooth and cheese is melted. Place about one Tablespoon of the pasta mixture on top of the prepared crust. Bake, 12-14 minutes, until golden. Let cool, 10 minutes. With a knife go around the edge of the bites, use two spoons to help lift out the bites. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with tomato relish.

Spiced Apple Cider:
Warm up the apple cider on the stove.

On a small plate mix sugar and cinnamon together. Rim a heatproof glass or mug with a lemon wedge. Dip rim into the sugar, cinnamon mixture. Add rum, cider, and garnish.

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