Maybe you decided to host a Super Bowl party way back when you thought your favorite team would be in it. Or, maybe, your favorite team (Seahawks or Broncos) did make it in so you have to throw one now. Whatever the case we have come up with festive cocktails, appetizers and desserts to have at your party along with some tips that will make your Super Bowl party pretty super.

Cocktails

Seattle Slammer

Ingredients:

2 ounces Crater Lake Sweet Ginger Vodka
Sparkling Apple Juice
2 ounces bourbon

Mix vodka and bourbon in a champagne flute, top with sparkling apple juice.

The Bronco

Ingredients:

ice
2 parts of vodka
4 parts of orange soda
0.5 part of Blue Curacao liqueur

Fill glass with ice. Fill with 2 parts vodka. Then fill with 3-4 parts Orange Soda. Stir. Top off with .5 part Blue Curacao. Don't stir -- it should be multi-colored (Orange & Blue). These are the same colors as he Denver Broncos (i.e. "The Bronco") -- the drink in is in honor of Angela H...the biggest Broncos fan of all!

Appetizers

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ingredients:
• 2 pounds of chicken wings, rinsed clean
• ⅔ cup hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper for taste

Directions:
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use aluminum foil to cover an entire sheet pan. Be sure to wrap around the edges also. Then spray the pan with non-stick vegetable oil.
• Spread the wings out evenly on the pan and lightly sprinkle salt and pepper over them. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, turn the wings over and let cook for an additional 20 minutes.
• While wings are baking, prepare a saute pan at low-medium heat. Combine the butter, salt, garlic pepper, cayenne pepper, hot pepper sauce and paprika in the pan. Allow the butter to melt then whisk for about 5-7 minutes.
• Once the wings are finished cooking, remove from oven and dump into the large bowl with the chicken wing sauce.
• Make sure to coat all the chicken with the sauce and allow the wings to sit for about 5 minutes before tossing again. After second toss, serve warm and enjoy!

Mini Potato Footballs

Ingredients:
• 20 small red potatoes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
• Toppings of your choice (bacon, cheese, sour cream, chives, etc.)

Directions:
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place potatoes, salt and olive oil in a large bowl until potatoes are thoroughly coated.
• Bake the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet for about 20 minutes or until soft.
• Let them cool down slightly before cutting a small slit in the top of each and scooping out a portion of the inside.
Place toppings of your choice inside each potato and serve while still warm.

Desserts

Super Bowl Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened in microwave
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup chocolate chips
6 ounces M&M's plain chocolate candy, in team colors

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or mixer, except for chocolate chips and M&M's which could get crushed; stir in the chocolate chips by hand. Drop by tablespoons on an ungreased cookie sheet (I use a scoop which makes it so easy); then press 4-6 M&M's on the top of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until just starting to turn brown; cool for 5-10 minutes before removing from cookie sheet to avoid breakage.

Brownie Footballs

Ingredients:

1 (20 ounce) package brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 (12 ounce) container chocolate frosting
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.Line rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches, with aluminum foil, letting foil hang 2 inches over short ends of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray. Stir brownie mix, chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs in medium bowl until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Remove brownies from pan, using foil to lift. Cut brownies into football shapes, using a Football-shaped cookie cutter, 3 1/2 by 2 inches. Frost footballs with frosting. Place baking chips, milk and butter in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium-High (70 percent) 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 10 seconds longer or until chips are melted. Drizzle melted chips over frosting to look like football laces.

Small tips that will make a big difference:

1. Make sure to grab an extra bag of ice (so if you were thinking 2, get 3). No one wants to run out to get ice when the game is on or when the commercials are.
2. Stock up on beer. I’ve put some cocktails because they’re fun and festive, but beer is Super Bowl.
3. Order the pizza early. If you’re not making the food you’ll need to order 1-2 hours before you actually want to eat the pizza. Busy day.
4. Try to pre-make the appetizers and desserts. Even if you’re playing hostess you should be able to enjoy the game.

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