Hanky Panky Cocktail Recipe Guide

My First Hanky Panky

I learned this recipe from my friend Marge. She brought a tray to our card game. We ate the whole thing before we even dealt a hand! I still laugh at that. I asked for the recipe right away.

It is the easiest, cheesiest snack. You just brown some meat and melt in the cheese. The smell fills your whole kitchen. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes everyone gather around, hungry and happy.

Why This Silly Name?

The name makes me smile. It sounds like a secret. These were party food in the 1970s. People served them at every gathering. They were a bit fancy and fun.

That is why this matters. Food should be fun. A good name starts the party. What is the funniest-named food you love? Tell me about it!

Making It Your Own

The recipe is simple. But you can change it. That is the best part. I sometimes use a spicy sausage. My grandson likes it with a dash of hot sauce.

Fun fact: The Velveeta melts so smoothly because it’s a “pasteurized process cheese spread.” That’s just a fancy way of saying it’s perfect for melting! Do you like yours mild or with a little kick?

The Magic of Simple Food

This is not a fancy dinner. It is a warm bite on bread. But it brings people together. That is why this matters, too. Good food is about sharing.

You make a big batch in one pan. Then you can talk to your guests. You are not stuck in the kitchen. What is your favorite simple food to share with friends?

Let’s Make Some!

Brown one pound of hamburger and one pound of sausage. Drain the fat well. This is important for a crispy bite. Put the meat back in the warm pan.

Add a whole pound of Velveeta, cubed. Sprinkle in garlic salt, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until it’s a gooey, wonderful mess. Spread it on little rye bread slices.

Bake at 425°F for just 5 minutes. Watch them bubble! Let them cool a tiny bit before eating. The cheese is very hot. I learned that the hard way!

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Hamburger	1 pound
Hot pork sausage	1 pound
Velveeta cheese	1 pound
Garlic salt	½ teaspoon
Salt	1 teaspoon
Oregano	1 teaspoon
Worcestershire sauce	1 teaspoon
Rye or pumpernickel bread	As needed	For serving

My Cozy Hanky Panky Party Snacks

Hello, my dear! Let’s make my famous Hanky Panky. This is my go-to party recipe. Everyone always asks for it. It’s warm, cheesy, and so simple. I’ve been making it for fifty years. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It always reminds me of my bridge club nights. The ladies would eat a whole platter! I still laugh at that. Let’s get your hands busy.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (hamburger)
• 1 lb pork sausage
• 1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 loaf party rye or pumpernickel bread

Instructions

Step 1: Grab a big pan for the stove. Put your hamburger and pork sausage in it. Turn the heat to medium. Break the meat up with a spoon as it cooks. You want it all in little crumbles. Cook until it’s not pink anymore. This is the most important part!

Step 2: Now, drain all that extra grease away. I use a colander over a bowl. Be careful, it’s hot! Then put the meat back in the pan. Turn the heat to low. This makes your snack nice and light. (My hard-learned tip: drain it twice. You really want it dry!)

Step 3: Cut your Velveeta into cubes. It melts easier that way. Add the cheese to the warm meat. Sprinkle in the garlic salt, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir slowly until it’s all ooey-gooey. It becomes one happy, cheesy mix. I love this part.

Step 4: Lay your little bread slices on a baking sheet. I like pumpernickel for its color. Spoon your meaty cheese on each one. Don’t be shy! Pop them in a hot 425°F oven. Bake for just 5 minutes. Watch them bubble and toast. Do you think the bread gets crisp or soft? Share below!

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: About 40 snacks
Category: Appetizer, Snack

Three Fun Twists to Try

You can play with this recipe. It’s very forgiving. Here are some ideas my grandkids love. Try one next time!

• The Pizza Twist: Use Italian sausage. Add a tiny spoon of pizza sauce under the cheese mix.
• The Veggie Boost: Swap the meat for a bag of frozen veggie crumbles. It’s surprisingly good!
• The Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Or use spicy sausage. It will make you smile.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Hanky Panky Right

These are perfect for sharing. Put them on a big wooden board. Let people gather around. For sides, a big bowl of pickles is great. So is a simple green salad. It cuts the richness. I always set out extra napkins!

For drinks, a cold root beer is classic. The bubbles are perfect. For the grown-ups, a cold lager beer pairs nicely. It’s a simple, happy combination. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Hanky Panky Happy

Let’s talk about storing these tasty bites. First, let them cool completely. I stack them in a container with wax paper between layers. This keeps them from sticking. They will be happy in your fridge for about three days.

You can freeze them too. Place unbaked snacks on a baking sheet. Freeze them solid for one hour. Then pop them into a freezer bag. They will keep for a month. This is my favorite batch-cook trick.

To reheat, bake frozen snacks at 425°F for 10-12 minutes. I once microwaved them and got soggy bread. The oven is always better. Storing food well means less waste. It also means a quick, yummy snack is always ready. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Little Fixes for Big Flavor

Sometimes the meat mixture is too greasy. Always drain your browned meat well. I remember when I didn’t drain enough. The topping slid right off the bread! Getting rid of grease matters. It makes your snack taste cleaner and better.

Is your cheese topping not smooth? Your heat might be too high. Keep the stove on low after adding the Velveeta. Stir gently until it melts. A smooth mix spreads easily and looks lovely.

Watch that the bread doesn’t burn. Ovens can run hot. I set my timer for just 4 minutes to check. Topping should be bubbly, bread should be crisp. This small attention builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Hanky Panky Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free bread. Just toast it a bit first so it stays firm.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Assemble them, cover, and refrigerate. Bake them right before your guests arrive.

Q: What if I don’t have Velveeta? A: A soft cheddar cheese spread will work. You need something that melts very smoothly.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just use half of all the ingredients. It works perfectly.

Q: Any extra tips? A: A tiny sprinkle of paprika on top looks pretty. *Fun fact: The name “Hanky Panky” for a snack dates back to the 1950s!* Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making these. They are perfect for game day or a family movie night. My grandkids always ask for them. I would love to see your creations.

Share a picture of your snack plate. Tell me what your family thought of them. Cooking is about sharing joy and full bellies. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking! —Anna Whitmore.