Make your own flavored cream cheese by stirring in fresh, in-season cherries. We like the flavor of black cherries, but any kind will work. Spread this on your morning bagel or sandwich it between graham crackers for a cherry cheesecake-inspired snack.

Ingredients

4 ounces (1/2 cup) reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)
1/4 cup chopped pitted fresh cherries or thawed and drained frozen cherries
1 1/2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
Pinch of ground allspice

Directions

Combine cream cheese, cherries, sugar and allspice in a small bowl.

Other Info

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Nutrition
Per 2-tablespoon serving: 65 calories; 5 g fat ( 3 g sat , 1 g mono ); 17 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrates;1 g added sugars; 2 g protein; 0 g fiber; 76 mg sodium; 52 mg potassium.

From EatingWell: May/June 2010