Grand Old Flag Cheese Spread

Name: Grand Old Flag Cheese Spread
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 pkg. brick cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup shredded cheddar-Jack cheese blend; 2 Tbsp. black olives; ¼ cup thick and chunky salsa; RITZ Crackers

A flattened rectangle of cream cheese is cleverly decorated with olive “stars” and salsa “stripes” to resemble a flag.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 min

Servings:

Makes 12 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each.

Ingredient list

1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
¼ cup shredded cheddar-Jack cheese blend
2 Tbsp. sliced black olives
¼ cup thick and chunky salsa
RITZ Crackers

Directions

Place cream cheese between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Roll out to 6x4-inch rectangle with rolling pin. Remove top sheet of waxed paper; coat top and sides of cream cheese with shredded cheese. Invert onto serving plate, shredded cheese side down. Remove waxed paper.

Arrange 3 rows of olives in top left corner of cream cheese rectangle for the stars of a US flag. Use rounded end of 1/4 tsp. measuring spoon to make 4 (1/4-inch-deep) lengthwise rows in remaining cream cheese mixture, leaving a 1/4-inch-wide space between every 2 rows. Fill rows with salsa for the flag's stripes.

Serve with the crackers.