Create lots of holiday snacks with cream cheese

More people probably entertain between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other time. If you're not hosting a get-together, you're probably attending one. Sometimes, in our desperate households, visitors just pop in. But never fear. Just keep some "light" cream cheese, crackers and a few condiments on hand, and you'll be more than prepared.

Today's recipe for Luscious and Nutty Cream Cheese Spread can actually be transformed into 10 different recipes, each one ready for instant entertaining. We've experimented with both sweet and savory options to vary the mood.

You can use Neufchatel (reduced-fat cream cheese) for a lower-fat alternative. We use only half of the 8-ounce block of cheese, but you could easily double each recipe for a larger crowd. When buying cream cheese, notice the sell-by date printed on the package — it usually stays fresh (unopened in the refrigerator) for weeks and sometimes for a couple of months! So it's ready when you are.

Here are our top-10 favorite super-simple cream cheese spreads. Just quick-soften the cream cheese in the microwave, uncovered on full power), for 7 to 10 seconds and then stir the ingredients together. Voila! Instant appetizer.

Savory spreads — Serve these with assorted hearty crackers, vegetable sticks or crusty French bread slices:

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 2 tablespoons prepared pesto (any variety)

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup prepared salsa (any variety), the spicier the better

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup finely chopped marinated artichoke hearts (drained)

4 ounces cream cheese and 1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers, plus 1 tablespoon milk

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup prepared tapenade (black olive paste)

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup strong blue cheese, plus 1 tablespoon milk

Sweet spreads — Serve these with fruit slices, such as pears or apples; graham cracker squares; pretzels; or vanilla wafers:

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup crushed pineapple

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup apricot preserves (or any preserves of choice)

4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

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