5-Minute Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks You’ll Crave

Picture this: your friends are coming over in 20 minutes, and you need something delicious—fast. Enter my go-to lifesaver, Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks! I swear by these little bites whenever I’m hosting (or when my sweet tooth strikes). Last Thanksgiving, I whipped up a big batch while the turkey was resting, and they disappeared before I could even refill the tray. The best part? They take literally five minutes to make—just creamy softened cheese, your favorite jam, and crispy crackers. It’s that magical combo of sweet, tangy, and crunchy that keeps everyone reaching for “just one more.”

Why You’ll Love These Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

Listen, these little bites are my secret weapon for good reason. Let me tell you why:

• Five-minute magic: From fridge to plate faster than you can say “snack time!”
• Endless combos: Swap jams seasonally—strawberry in summer, spiced apple in fall, you get the idea.
• No cooking required: Perfect for when your kitchen’s a disaster zone (we’ve all been there).
• Works for any crowd: Gluten-free crackers? Vegan cream cheese? Done and done.
• Kid-approved: My niece calls them “fancy PB&J crackers”—high praise from a picky 7-year-old!

Seriously, once you try them, you’ll understand why I always keep these ingredients on standby.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

Here’s all you need for these irresistible bites—so simple I can practically recite it from memory:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes—trust me, it spreads like a dream)
• 12 crackers (I’m partial to buttery Ritz, but use whatever makes you happy—gluten-free works great too!)
• 2 tbsp jam (my current obsession is raspberry, but your favorite jar will shine here)

That’s it! Well, unless you count the optional sprinkle of sea salt or fresh thyme I sometimes add when feeling fancy.

How to Make Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

Okay, let’s get to the fun part—assembling these little flavor bombs! Here’s how I do it:

1. Prep your crackers: Lay them all out on your serving tray first—this saves so much messy backtracking later.
2. Spread the cream cheese: Use a butter knife (or your finger, no judgment!) to smear a thin layer on each cracker. Thin is key here—too thick and it overwhelms the jam.
3. Jam time: Grab a teaspoon and add just a small dollop of jam to each cracker. I’m talking pea-sized—it spreads when you bite in and trust me, less is more.
4. Chill (optional): If you’ve got 10 minutes to spare, pop them in the fridge. The cream cheese firms up slightly for that perfect bite.

The whole process takes less time than microwaving popcorn! I usually make them right before serving, but they’ll hold for an hour if you must prep ahead.

Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

After making these approximately a zillion times, here are my can’t-miss tricks:

• Watch the jam: Super juicy jams? Blot them lightly with a paper towel first to prevent soggy crackers.
• Temperature matters: Room temp cream cheese spreads beautifully—cold from the fridge just tears your crackers.
• Get creative: Swap jams weekly! My current favorite is blackberry with a sprinkle of lemon zest—total game changer.
• Serve immediately: They’re best fresh—the crackers stay crisp and the flavors pop.

Variations for Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

The beauty of these snacks? You can riff on them endlessly! Here are my favorite twists:

• Savory switch-up: Skip the jam and try everything bagel seasoning or fresh dill—so good with smoked salmon!
• Nutty bonus: Crushed pistachios or sliced almonds add the perfect crunch on top.
• Spiced jams: Pepper jelly gives a sweet-heat kick, or try orange marmalade with a pinch of cardamom.
• Cream cheese flavors: Garlic-herb or strawberry cream cheese? Yes please—just adjust jam amounts accordingly.

Honestly, half the fun is playing mad scientist with whatever’s in your pantry. My rule? If it sounds good together, it probably is!

Serving Suggestions for Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

These little bites shine in so many settings! I love arranging them on a wooden board with grapes and nuts for impromptu gatherings—suddenly it looks fancy! They’re perfection with afternoon tea (try Earl Grey!) or as a sweet counterpoint to cheese plates. Last girls’ night? Paired beautifully with sparkling rosé. Honestly, they disappear no matter how you serve them!

Storage & Reheating

Here’s the truth—these cream cheese & jam cracker snacks shine brightest fresh! The crackers stay satisfyingly crisp and the flavors pop. That said, if you must prep ahead, they’ll hold in the fridge for about an hour (max!) in an airtight container. Just don’t even think about reheating—cold cream cheese on warm crackers? No thank you!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on these little bites—they’re light but satisfying! Keep in mind these numbers can change depending on your cracker choice or jam sweetness. Per cracker (using regular cream cheese and strawberry jam), you’re looking at roughly:

• 45 calories – Perfect for guilt-free nibbling!
• 2.5g fat – Mostly from that luscious cream cheese
• 3g sugar – Just enough sweetness from the jam

Want to lighten it up? Try reduced-fat cream cheese or sugar-free jam—though I swear by the real deal for maximum flavor!

FAQs About Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers from my many (many) cream cheese cracker experiments! Let’s tackle your most-asked ones:

• “Can I make these ahead?” Honestly? I don’t recommend it. Those crackers lose their crunch fast! If you must prep, spread the cream cheese first, then add jam right before serving—soggy crackers are sad crackers.
• “What’s the best jam flavor?” Berries are my ride-or-die—raspberry and strawberry jam are classics for a reason. But don’t sleep on apricot or fig for something different!
• “Can I make these gluten-free?” Absolutely! Just grab your favorite GF crackers—the cream cheese and jam don’t know the difference. I love Simple Mills almond flour crackers here.

Still curious? Just ask—I’ve probably taste-tested your exact question!

Share Your Cream Cheese & Jam Cracker Snacks

Tag me on Instagram when you make these—I love seeing your creative twists! Did you try a wild jam combo? Rate the recipe below and make my day.

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