If you’ve never heard of the food Hanky Panky, you probably aren’t from the midwest. This vintage appetizer has roots in Ohio, but gained popularity throughout the region, and for good reason! The combination of spicy sausage, melty cheese, and rye bread is enough to have everyone coming back from another. Whether you remember them from your mom’s recipe collection or are just now discovering them, one thing’s for sure—these bites are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

While these appetizers can be assembled on any kind of bread, rye or pumpernickel is the traditional choice. For this recipe we used a loaf of party bread, a miniature loaf of sturdy bread that can usually be found in the bakery section of the grocery store. If it’s not available in your area a standard loaf of rye bread cut into quarters will also do!

The filling comes together on the stovetop with spicy sausage, ground beef, and some melty velveeta. You could use cheddar in this recipe if you’re not a fan of velveeta, but it really melts the best in recipes like this one! Everything comes together in a single skillet (which you really can’t beat), then it’s time to scoop that filling on the bread and pop them in the oven to get nice and toasty. They’re best served hot, straight from the oven, but don’t be surprised if they disappear before they even make it to the table. They’re that good!