Brought to you by Dr Pepper® and Eckrich®.
I am so excited to bring together lots of adorable décor and recipe ideas that I have been wanting to try out for a while now. This Football Party was inspired by Dr Pepper and Eckrich, which both embody the traditional taste of game day.
This party was the perfect excuse to pull out all the stops and go wild with classy and chic décor that makes me nostalgic for the past.
During my research phase for this post, I could only find a few examples of this sort of look I was going for, so I headed to Meijer, and then the fabric store to begin brainstorming. Walking around a store for inspiration is seriously priceless.
I wanted that vintage, chic, fall tailgate sort of look, and I think it turned out so well!
THE DÉCOR DETAILS
I incorporated plaid flannel material for the tablecloth, which reminds me of a warm and cozy blanket or scarf one might wear to a football game on a chilly Sunday.
Next, one of my favorite DIY projects was to print out vintage football images from the 1930s for my bunting, which I taped to my wall. I made sure to print out the photos so two would fit onto an 8.5x11 sheet of paper, horizontally oriented.
I also incorporated a few mini orange pumpkins, as well as my favorite mint cake stands to hold all of my refreshments and some of the snacks. For the drinks, I think it would be great to offer guests pitchers or containers of ice, and cute plastic cups for their Dr Peppers or other refreshments.
The chocolate donut “cake” is also amazing! I used 24 chocolate covered donuts to make the cake, beginning with two rows of 5 donuts, then two rows of 4 donuts, then one row of 3, then three single donuts stacked on top of one another. This cute display held together extremely well! I also added the football picks, also from a party store, to add that football aesthetic I was going for.
As soon as I began to notice the cute Dr Pepper football themed soft drinks in stores, I knew it was time for football! I was so excited to learn that I had this amazing opportunity to collaborate with Dr Pepper and Eckrich that I rushed to Meijer right away to grab supplies. Eckrich Smoked Sausage can be found in the packaged meat aisle, and Dr Pepper can be found in the soda aisle.
Dr Pepper is the one fans crave and is the perfect complement to tailgating and homegating events during the college football season! Eckrich Smoked Sausage is Naturally Hardwood Smoked and crafted with just the right blend of spices for a truly rich, savory taste. Their Smoked Sausage Links are the perfect addition to any tailgate, cookout or family meal.
COOK TIME: 45 minutes
SERVING SIZE: 6-12
INGREDIENTS
· 1 package (10-14oz) Eckrich Smoked Sausage
· 1 package (10oz) Frozen Mixed Vegetables, cooked
· 1 can (10 ¾ oz) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
· 1 can (16.3oz) Flaky Layered Refrigerated Biscuits
· Non-stick Cooking Spray
· Salt & Pepper to taste
PREPARATION
A miniature twist on a classic pot pie.
1. Directions Preheat the oven to 375°
2. Prep: Cook the frozen vegetables according to the instructions on the package. Set aside. Dice the Eckrich Smoked Sausage into cubes. In a large skillet, cook the sausage until browned. Remove from stove and set aside.
3. Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked vegetables, smoked sausage, cream of chicken soup, salt and pepper to taste. Stir with a spoon until the ingredients are mixed well.
4. Assembly: Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Separate the biscuits and flatten each into 5½ inch rounds. Press firmly into each muffin mold. Spoon 1/3 cup of the pot pie mixture into each pie. Pull edges of dough over the filling towards the center, pleat and pinch gently to hold in place.
1. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool for 1 minute; remove from pan and serve. These popped RIGHT out of the muffin tin, and looked gorgeous instantly. These taste like warm biscuits with chicken, sausage, and veggies inside. YUM!!!
INGREDIENTS
· 1 package Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12oz-14oz)
· 20 bite-sized crackers (I used saltines)
· 2 tsp olive oil
· 1/2 package (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
PREPARATION
Keep the crowd happy with these Smoked Sausage Appetizer Bites. They’re perfect as a snack or an appetizer.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Slice sausage into ½-inch pieces.
3. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add sausage to skillet and cook until browned.
4. Top sausage pieces with cheese, then place skillet in oven and bake until cheese is lightly browned.
5. Place cheese-covered sausage on crackers and serve.
A FEW MORE DETAILS
Since I wanted a nostalgic, vintage look and feel to the décor, I thought that the caramel apples were just perfect for fall. Below, I found these cute football shaped dishes at a party store and thought they were just the right festive touch for the party!
