New Year's Eve, the grandest party of the year, calls out for an irresistible selection of delightful hors d'oeuvres. Think of a spread that glimmers with pieces like tempting Clams Casino, homey Chicken Liver Mousse, and innovative twists on the old classics, such as fondue in an acorn squash bowl or four-herb guacamole, and you’re on the right track to bidding farewell to this year and welcoming the new one in style.

How about turning the year with bacon in hand? Here, we present a mouth-watering dish of slow-roasted slab bacon tossed with chile crisp layered with toasty chunks of dried chilies, fresh ginger, and garlic. Moreover, this can be made quicker by utilizing a commercially available chile crisp.

Exquisite tarts based on buttery puff pastry are next; they're layered with caramelized onions and delicate slices of tender potatoes on a bed of creamy thyme-infused Gruyère cheese. Anna Theoktisto, a noted recipe developer, recommends accompanying these with flavorful and rich miso butter and delicate radishes sandwiched between robust sourdough bread slices, topped with either luxury osetra caviar or smoked trout roe for a refined salty finish.

Consider crafting a homemade French onion dip if you're looking for well-loved party favorites. Blend caramelized onions, Worcestershire sauce, and a beef bouillon cube with sour cream and cream cheese for the perfect tangy, creamy dip to add to your New Year's Eve menu.

From Clams Casino filled with buttery breadcrumbs and crispy bacon to Roast baby Yukon Gold potatoes packed with blue cheese, cream cheese, and olive juice, there's no shortage of bite-sized party fare. To round it all off, consider Amanda Shulman’s roasted acorn squash filled with melted Comté and Gruyère, served alongside delectable crudités.

For a unique blend of flavors sure to impress, try serving crispy seasoned cheese ravioli with a cacio e pepe dip, or opt for 2016 F&W Best New Chef Kris Yenbamroong's intriguing take on classic shrimp served with garlicky aioli alongside a fish sauce-based dip packed with heat.

If you’re more partial to bacon-wrapped dates, consider our recipe featuring dates stuffed with blue cheese and cream cheese and a walnut chewy nugget, or opt for the easy, yet elegant recipe from winemakers Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez, featuring fluffy goat cheese, tender quail eggs on top of crisp cornmeal crackers, garnished by fresh white sage and lemon peel. Pigs in a Blanket are, however, an uncomplicated and ever-popular option.

Summarily, whether you're a fan of Spanish tapas with a twist or mushrooms marinated in a fashion that pairs perfectly with toast or cheese boards, this spread has something for everyone. Top everything off with holiday-ready nuts made from garlic, sage, rosemary-infused olive oil, Dorie Greenspan's sweet and savoury cocktail cookies, and chef Ryan Hardy's good luck appetizer featuring garlic-rubbed toasts topped with black-eyed peas and a burst of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.