Brandy Sanders prepares Mini Cheesecakes, an easy and simple dessert that scores big for any game-day party.

The game is on. Are you ready for a game-day party when LSU Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday evening in Alabama? 

By keeping snacks simple and easy to prepare, it’s easy to host a game-day party with friends and family to watch one of the most talked about games of the season when the two SEC powerhouse teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation take the field.

One of the best parts of the game is gathering with friends and family to cheer on your favorite team with plenty of delicious food and tasty drinks. So before settling in to watch your preferred team, develop a game plan and draft a roster of easy to prepare snacks that will score big with all the guests.

Whether it is game day or just family gatherings, Brandy Sanders of Jeanerette is always on the lookout for recipes for simple, tasty snacks and desserts that are taste-pleasing for guests.

“I like snacks that are simple and easy to prepare. I don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen the whole time and not have any time to enjoy visiting with my guests,” said Sanders. “I try to plan ahead and keep it as simple as possible.”

One of Sander’s favorite quick desserts is a mini cheesecake with a fruit topping. The filling for the no- bake dessert can be prepared ahead and is served on a vanilla wafer.

“Bite-sized and topped with any of your favorite fruit fillings, it is easy to prepare and colorful. The filling can even be colored to match your favorite team’s color. It’s perfect to snack on when cheering for your favorite football team, a family reunion, or just any gathering,”‘ she said.

Simple dips accompanied by a variety of chips and crackers always bring great taste to the game-day table.

Pat Grisaffe, a regular contributor to the Daily Iberian/Cajun Sugar Co-op Cajun/Creole Cookbook, always scores big with family and friends when she serves her Artichoke and Spinach Dip.

“This is a perfect snack for any game or just about any occasion. It’s one that I serve often for my supper club. It can be make ahead of time and put in the oven right before serving,” said Grisaffe. “It’s a great way to jazz up vegetables.”

Sanders said she often prepares a trouble-free onion dip that makes a big hit with guests, but only calls for two ingredients, sour cream and a package of Lipton onion soup mix.

“You can’t get much simpler than this. Just mix it up and serve it with an assortment of chips,” said Sanders.

These entertaining ideas offered by Wilton Enterprises will ensure you don’t cause a delay of game by rushing and fumbling around before halftime.

For the halftime tailgate MVP – mini pulled pork sandwiches. This tiny take on a familiar favorite makes for perfect handoffs to any hungry crowd. Here’s the game plan.

• Homemade pulled pork is easy. Just marinate pork shoulder in a spicy-sweet mustard mixture, then cook slowly until fork-tender.

• While the pork cooks make homemade buns. The Wilton Whoopie Pie Pan makes perfect petite buns for the pork. Kick off the process with frozen bread dough rolls and accent with a sprinkling of sesame seeds before baking. Assemble the sandwiches, or set out the fixings and fans can help themselves. Top off with pickles and pennant-shaped picks.

• Run out the game clock with Chocolate Kicker Cereal Treats, a surefire way to bring your team to the end zone.

For other tailgating ideas, visit www.wilton.com.