Cocktail Wieners Two Terrific Ways!

Cocktail wieners take mini hot dogs to a whole new level. Here are two popular recipes that are widely circulated on the internet, with the original attributed to none other than Betty Crocker. These recipes can be served at family holiday gatherings or as a special treat on New Year's Eve!

Classic recipe #1  (serves 6)

Ingredients:

• 1 (14 oz.) package cocktail-size wieners or smoked sausages
• ¾ cup of barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• ½ cup seedless raspberry jam (homemade or store-bought) *do not use jam with seeds
• 1 Tbsp. chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from a 7 oz. can)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, stir together the ingredients. Heat to a boiling over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove wieners to a serving platter and pour the sauce into a small serving bowl. Serve with fancy toothpicks. Recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.

Special chef tips: No seedless raspberry jam? Sub with grape or apple jelly instead. This recipe can be easily adapted to the slow cooker. Set on high for about two hours or low for approximately four hours, covered until cooked through. In addition to cooking the meat, the slow cooker can keep your food warm for self-service, and you won't have to bother with any serving platters.

Fancy classic – Recipe # 2 (serves 16)

Ingredients:

• 3 (12 oz.) packages of cocktail-size wieners or smoked sausage
• 2 cups of sweet honey barbecue sauce
• ½ cup seedless raspberry jam *do not use jam with seeds
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup fresh apple cider

Directions:

Add the cocktail wieners to your slow cooker. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl until combined. Pour mixture over the wieners and stir to coat. Set slow cooker on high for about two hours or on low for approximately four hours, covered, until cooked through. Serve warm with fancy toothpicks.

Special chef tips: No seedless raspberry jam? Sub with grape or apple jelly instead. No honey barbecue sauce? Substitute with any containing brown sugar - or use regular barbecue sauce and add 2 T. of brown sugar to sweeten the recipe. No apple cider? Simply use apple juice instead. Too much quantity? The recipe can be easily cut in half.