Easy and Festive Oscar Party Food Ideas

This post was written in partnership with Nellie's Free Range Eggs. All opinions are my own.

The Oscars are all about Hollywood glitz and glamour, and your Oscars party should be as well. That doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money or time pulling it together. A little bit of planning and organization (and some shopping and prepping!) is all it takes to throw a party that, like the Oscars, will be the talk of the town the next day!

The key is to serve quick, easy, and delicious cocktails, appetizers, and sweet treats for a glam Oscars (or any awards ceremony) viewing party!

1. Serve a Signature Cocktail
In order to enjoy my own party, I limit my time mixing and serving drinks. Instead I decide on a signature cocktail that's easy to make, doesn't require more than 2-3 ingredients and is a general crowd pleaser. In addition, I have buckets of ice with beer and water and a few bottles of wine for guests. A simple Champagne cocktail with a fun sugar-trimmed rim always works and looks super pretty and glam.

2. Stick with Finger Foods
Small, bite-sized finger foods are ideal for parties because they don't require guests to have both hands free to eat. They are also easy to eat while standing, and they don't require utensils (less clean up for you!).

This egg salad and asparagus crostini checks all the boxes for a delicious appetizer that your guests will love and that you will love to make. The combination of creamy egg salad and crispy bread is a winner!

I prefer to use Nellie's Free Range Eggs, which I purchase at Whole Foods. Nellie's free range farms are Certified Humane, which means they follow the highest standards of kind, humane farm animal treatment. Nellie's cares for their hens the way I care for my family, with love and care. The hens live in a cage-free environment and enjoy their time roaming outdoors. Because of the way Nellie's nurtures their hens, Nellie's eggs just taste better and are more nutritious than factory-farmed eggs.

EGG SALAD AND ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Ingredients
6 hard boiled Nellie's Free Range eggs
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons fresh dill, finely chopped
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Either prepared crostini or 1 baguette sliced into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices and lightly toasted

Preparation
1. With a fork, finely crush eggs in a bowl.
2. Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, dill, scallions, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Combine well.
3. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
4. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Set aside.
5. Cut asparagus tips to the size of the crostini (2-3 inch length). Discard leftover asparagus or save for another use.
6. Cook asparagus tips in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
7. Remove tips from boiling water and immediately place in ice water to stop the cooking process.
8. Drain asparagus tips and pat dry.
9. Spread crostini with egg salad mixture and top with 2-3 asparagus tips.
10. Place on a platter to serve or cover with a damp paper towel and chill up to an hour.

3. Save a Delicious Dessert For Last
Everyone loves dessert! Don't leave your guests hanging. Serve a sweet treat to end the night on a high note. I love these mini Champagne cupcakes. They are so good (I dare you to try to stop at just one!). And they are perfect when served with a glass Champagne.


MINI CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

Ingredients

Cupcakes:
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening (softened butter can be substituted)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 Nellie's Free Range eggs, room temperature
1 cup honey
1/2 orange juice
3/4 cups Champagne or any sparkling wine
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Frosting*:
6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
3 tablespoons champagne
6 tablespoons pulp free orange juice
3 tablespoons grated orange zest
gold colored sugar or edible glitter (found in the decorating section of the baking aisle)

*Using packaged frosting is an option

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°

Cupcakes:
1. In a medium bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt.

2. In a separate bowl beat butter on a medium speed, and gradually add sugar.

3. Add eggs one at a time, then add honey, orange juice and Champagne/sparkling wine.

4. Gradually add the mixed dry ingredients. Once combined, fold in orange zest.
5. Line mini-cupcake tins (found in the baking aisle) with papers and pour batter evenly into a tin. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Frosting: 
In a large bowl whip powdered sugar, butter, champagne, orange juice, and orange zest on medium speed. Spread onto cupcakes and sprinkle with gold colored sugar or edible glitter.

Yields: 72-74 mini-cupcakes or about 35 regular cupcakes.

Enjoy the party! Leave a comment and let me know your favorite party foods for the Academy Awards.