Cherry Cheese Logs

Our party guests flock to this holiday gem of an appetizer - cherry-studded cream cheese served with graham or water crackers.

3 (8 oz each) pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. orange juice, freshly squeezed
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1(10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, well drained and chopped
1 cup pecans, chopped, toasted

To Serve:
graham or water crackers

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, orange juice and ginger until smooth. Fold in cherries. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour.

Place pecans in a shallow bowl. Shape cheese mixture into two 7” long logs; roll in pecans to coat evenly. Wrap logs; refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serve with crackers.

Makes 2 logs (1¾ cups each).

Nutritional Information:
2 Tbsp.: 131 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.