The biggest issue most couples have on Valentine’s Day is simply finding something unique and special to do with their partner. This is one reason why many couples choose to stay in.

With proper planning, choosing to stay home and cook with your significant other can be just as special. It can even be more romantic than going out. The key is to plan your menu with recipes that can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the oven before your date night starts or just before your partner arrives.

If you want to create a unique restaurant experience at home, then it’s a must to have some warm appetizers and small plates ready. Preparing versatile appetizers with sweet and savory ingredients can help make things easier. Try these appetizer recipes using Musselman’s Apple Butter spread to add a rich and spicy touch of apple-cinnamon flavor to your food.

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Apple Brie Bites

Servings: 24 

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 5 ounces Brie cheese
• 1/2 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Cooking Directions: Heat oven to 400 F. Grease mini-muffin pan.

Press seams of puff pastry sheet together. Cut sheet into quarters then each quarter into six pieces.  

Use rolling pin to flatten each piece of pastry into square shape. Place one square into each muffin cup.

Put 1/2 teaspoon brie, 1 teaspoon apple butter and 1/2 teaspoon chopped pecans into each muffin cup.

Bake 13-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

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Apple Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 10 pieces bacon
• 10 extra-large shrimp, cleaned and deveined
• chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Cooking Directions: Heat oven to 400 F. 

Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In medium-sized skillet over medium heat, add apple butter, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, salt and paprika. Whisk until mixture is thick and cooked down by half, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

In large skillet over medium heat, add bacon slices and cook until browned but still flexible.  Remove from pan and drain on paper towel-lined plate.

Wrap one bacon slice around each shrimp, secure with toothpick and place onto prepared baking sheet.

Once all shrimp have been wrapped, baste tops with apple butter mixture.

Bake 5 minutes then flip and baste other side of shrimp. Bake another 5 minutes. Continue to flip and baste shrimp (2 minutes each time) until shrimp is fully cooked. Do not overcook as glaze can burn. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.

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Recipes and photos courtesy of Musselman’s