Maple-Bacon Smokies Recipe

It wouldn't be a Southern soiree without a few token appetizers on the party table. We applaud those hostesses who take the time to craft small pastries of quiche, asparagus, and goat cheese – but as we gather around to celebrate the season together, it tends to be the same few dishes that fly off the appetizer table. Southerners love sausage balls, cheese straws, and cocktail meatballs – and anything wrapped in bacon. These Maple-Bacon Smokies are an inexpensive and oh-so-popular recipe, especially during the holidays. The best part? You'll only need four ingredients (and a handful of toothpicks!) to pull together these smoky, salty-sweet treats. Plus, it's an easy recipe to double or triple, depending on the amount of guests that you're planning to host. Like a bit of spice with your sausages? A teaspoon of ground black pepper, cayenne, or even garlic powder gives these mini sausages a delightful infusion of flavor. Hold your Maple-Bacon Smokies together by skewering them sideways, so that the toothpick lays parallel to your baking sheet. If you poke a toothpick vertically through your smokies, the bacon is more likely to unroll as it cooks.