Busy People's Fun, Fast, Festive Christmas Cookbook
Christmas Eve Appetizer and Dessert Buffet Menu
Punch | Custard | Veg Tray | Pistachio Tarts | Cranberry Spread | Snowman Cheese Spread | Corned Beef Roll-Ups | Pizza | Chipped Beef Roll-Ups
Merry Cherry Pizza
Cute, colorful, and cheerful describes this tasty finger-food dessert to a T.

2

 (6-ounce) jars maraschino cherries (preferably 1 red and 1 green)

1

 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat crescent roll dough (in the refrigerator aisle)
1 (8-ounce) package fat-free cream cheese 1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons Splenda Granular
1 tablespoon finely chopped, toasted slivered almonds    

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray a 10 x 15-inch jelly-roll pan with nonfat cooking spray.
Drain the maraschino cherries and set them on a paper towel to dry. (Keep the red and green cherries on separate paper towels.)
With your hands, press the dough into the prepared jelly-roll pan. With your fingers, pinch the seams of the dough together.
Bake for 9 to 10 minutes.
While the crust is baking, finely chop the cherries in a food processor. If you are using red and green cherries, chop them separately. The colors of the cherries are prettier if the red and green are not chopped together.
With a spatula, stir the cream cheese, almond extract, vanilla, and Splenda until well mixed.
Once the crust has finished baking, let it cool for a few minutes.
Spread the warm crust with the cream cheese mixture.
Top with the chopped cherries.
Sprinkle the top lightly with the chopped almonds.
Cut into 2-inch squares.
Yield: 24 servings.
Calories: 76; Fat: 2g; Percent Fat Calories: 22%; Cholesterol: 2mg; Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Protein: 2g; Sodium: 124mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1/2 fat
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 9 to 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes