1,300 party recipes

Flowerpot desserts layer yellow cake, ice cream, and golden meringue in clay pots with real flower stems poking through the top. A showstopping party trick that looks wild and tastes like baked Alaska.

Double cheese wheel appetizer made from a hollowed-out Chihuahua cheese round filled with a cream cheese, artichoke heart, pine nut, and basil spread. A stunning party centerpiece served in wedges with crackers.

Spiced melon cocktail with honeydew balls, flaked crabmeat, and a tangy whipped cream-mayo dressing spiked with paprika, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. A retro dinner-party starter with coastal flair.

Peanut butter cookie dough wrapped around mini Snickers or Mars bars on a stick. Golden, chewy, and loaded with candy bar surprise in every bite. A total showstopper for bake sales and holiday parties.

A 15-minute no-cook Caesar dip made with mashed anchovies, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice blended into creamy mayo. The go-to party dip for veggie trays and crudités.

Chocolate mocha mousse: a French-style chocolate mousse with strong coffee, butter, egg yolks, and clouds of whipped cream and stiff egg white. The classic dinner-party finale, made the proper way.

Black bean and corn salsa loaded with tri-color bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro, tossed with Italian dressing and a squeeze of lime. A no-cook cowboy caviar dip that feeds a party.

Crunchy crab nuggets: hollow bread cubes brushed with butter, baked crisp, then filled with sharp cheddar and crab and baked again until hot and bubbly. A vintage party appetizer worth bringing back.

Spicy marinated shrimp for a crowd with 10 pounds of shrimp soaked overnight in olive oil, cider vinegar, capers, and hot sauce. A make-ahead party appetizer that serves 20.

Mini Reuben appetizers on toasted white bread with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a horseradish-chili mayo. Bite-sized party snacks baked until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Bean and Salsa Dip layers spiced pinto bean puree, sweet chili sauce, green onions, fat-free sour cream, and chunky hot salsa on a platter. A no-cook layered party dip ready in 20 minutes.

Szechuan pasta chicken salad: a cold noodle salad with poached chicken, crunchy snow peas, bamboo shoots, peppers, and a creamy soy-sesame-chili dressing. Make-ahead party platter that improves overnight.

Roast beef tortilla roll-ups with bacon horseradish dip and crisp lettuce, sliced into pinwheels. A no-cook appetizer or lunch that chills ahead and cuts clean for party platters.

Bacon-wrapped spinach balls stuffed with herb stuffing, sausage, Parmesan, and eggs. These bite-sized appetizers bake up crispy on the outside and savory-soft inside, guaranteed to vanish at any party.

French onion dip from just two ingredients: sour cream stirred with a packet of onion soup mix. The classic creamy, savory party dip for chips and veggies, ready in two minutes.

Cheese puffs made from choux pastry, light and airy bites packed with sharp cheddar, baked golden and crisp outside, tender within. A French gougere-style appetizer for any party.