Hanky Panky |Cooking With Amanda

Every family has those recipes hidden in their vaults. The ones they make year after year, holiday after holiday, birthday after birthday.

You forget that there is even a "recipe" because you've made them so many times you have it memorized.

Until a friend comes over and ask for the recipe. Then you have to stumble and think and try to recall exactly how you made it. Because nobody is ever happy with just ingredients, they want exact measurements. Am I right?

This Hanky Panky recipe is a staple at our family functions. Late at night, after dinner has been eaten, dessert has been demolished, my mom always brings out a hot plate of hanky pankies. Always.

They go very well with a game of cards, laughter, and late night hunger pains!

Just be warned, these don't last long. By the time you take a batch out of the oven, the plate is empty and waiting for the next batch.

Want a few tips to keep your entertaining a little less stressful?

First, plan your menu in advance! Do your shopping as early as possible. Seriously, you don't want to be out there while the shelves are empty!
These Hanky Pankies can be made up ahead of time. There is rarely a time when my mom doesn't have a batch of these in her freezer!
Brown your sausage, add the cheese and assemble as directed in the instructions below. Before baking them however, lay them on a flat cookie sheet and place them in the freezer. After an hour, when they have begun to harden, stack them in a freezer safe Ziploc bag! Label and save them until ready to serve.
When your party has arrived, and you think it's time to bring out a batch, place them on your cookie sheet while frozen. Bake a few extra minutes until the bottom crisps up and the cheese begins to sizzle. PERFECTION!

Enjoy a batch of Hanky Pankies today. Or tomorrow. Or make them for New Year's!

ENJOY!

Don't forget these other party foods; Old Bay Chex mix and vol au vent appetizers with brie and jam will turn your gathering into an event!

Print Save

Hanky Panky Recipe

Embed

Ingredients

36 slices dark pump pumpernickel party bread, one 12 ounce package, substitute rye if desired
1 pound pork sausage
1/2 pound velveeta cheese

Directions

In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook sausage until browned and crumbled. Drain off excess fat.
Add velveeta and stir over low heat until melted and fully blended.
If serving immediately, preheat oven to 425°F. Lay bread slices onto baking sheet. Spoon dollop of meat mixture onto bread and bake for about 15 minutes (oven times may vary).
If assembling ahead of time, lay bread slices onto freezer safe baking sheet. Spoon dollop of meat mixture onto bread and place in freezer for about an hour. Remove and place frozen hanky pankies into a freezer safe Ziploc bag. Store until ready to serve. When serving, place frozen hanky pankies on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes.
ENJOY.