Walmart 2014 Holiday Food Preview-#WalmartHoliday

I recently attended an event in New York to preview the Holiday Foods that Walmart has in store for everyone.

With the change of the seasons, you can feel the holidays coming. Walmart has spent the last year identifying and securing the food and drinks that they think you will enjoy this holiday season. From wines and charcuterie to specialty cheeses and festive new cookies. These products will be in stores in November and December.

Toast to the Host
During the holidays, customers look for edible and drinkable gifts. Walmart is offering an expanded assortment of giftable treats from specialty cheeses to liquor-inspired gift sets. Customers will be able to find a variety of affordable gourmet cheeses and charcuterie that look and taste like they came from a specialty store.

Santa’s Last Minute Helpers
During the holidays, we see an increase in the need for quick and easy party solutions. With more than 15 new selections this season, Sam’s Choice appetizers taste like the party host spent hours in the kitchen. The sweet and salty trend will be hot this season with items such as Wright’s Bourbon Bacon. Frozen staple items are getting a gourmet upgrade. Sliders now have a pretzel bun and mozzarella sticks contain asiago cheese.

Holiday Meals
Turkey is the most popular meat during the holidays. To offer a new twist on an old favorite Walmart has done a Cajun-style turkey breast. The second most popular meat is you guest it, Ham, and they have a new Premium Sam’s Choice Spiral Ham.

Holiday Baking Traditions
Cookies are the new cupcakes this season. They have added two new cookie flavors maple bacon and salted caramel. Pumpkin is back and better than ever with the Duncan Hines Decadent Cupcakes in Pumpkin Spice, as well as Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins and Pumpkin Cream Pie. Gingerbread houses are no longer just houses; they now include villages and trains.

Cookies, Ice Cream and Pies Oh My
You may think of ice cream as a summer dessert, but everyone loves artisan ice cream year round. They are now exclusive flavors at Walmart which include Sea Salt Caramel. Macrons are also expected to be a popular dessert option this season.

For the Sweet Tooth
The classic Hershey Kisses will continue to be around, but peppermint is having a moment with Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and Lindt White Chocolate peppermint Truffles. Fruit candy will also be popular this year with Brach’s Jelly Candy Canes and Holiday Skittles.

I have a couple of Holiday Recipes to share with you from Walmart

Peppermint Oreo Cookie Ball
6 candy canes, finely chopped(about 1/3) divided
1 pkg (8 oz) brick cream cheese, softened
36 Oreo cookies, finely crushed
4 pkgs (4 oz each) semi sweet baking chocolate, melted
Reserve: 1 tbsp. chopped candy
Mix: remaining candy with cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended
Shape: into 48 (1 inch) balls. Freeze 10 minutes.
Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan.
Sprinkle: with reserved candy
Refrigerate: 1 hour or more until firm

Reindeer Cookie Ball Pops
1 pkg (8 oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
40 gingersnaps, finely crushed (about 2 1/4 cups)
4 pkg (4 oz each) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces, melted
1 1/4 cups candy coasted pieces (M&M’s)
1 cup small pretzel twist, broken into pieces
Mix: cream cheese and gingersnaps crumbs until well blended
Shape: into 30 (1 inch) balls; place in single layer in shallow pan.
Freeze 10 minutes. Dip balls in chocolate; place in single layer in waxed paper-lined pan. Insert lollipop stick into each ball. Decorate with candies and pretzels to form reindeer.

Whatever you do this holiday season, let Walmart help you out.