Upgrade This Old-Fashioned Southern Classic For A Heartier Toasted Snack

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Whether it's an entree, appetizer, or dessert, classic Southern cuisine never fails to satisfy. The next time you've got a hankering for a heartier food, consider a simple upgrade to one of the old-fashioned Southern snacks everyone still enjoys, cream cheese and pepper jelly. Cream cheese and pepper jelly are traditionally served as a dip alongside crackers, like saltines or Ritz. You can transform this by spreading it on toast.

The dynamic duo of hot pepper jelly and cool, rich cream cheese is a perfect pairing that balances sweetness and heat with a refreshing, creamy texture. This old-fashioned snack is a standby of Southern hospitality, made by placing a block of softened cream cheese on a plate and spooning a generous portion of hot pepper jelly over the top. Swapping out crackers in favor of a heartier slice of toast could potentially take this dish from appetizer to entree, depending on how you dress it up.

Both pepper jelly and cream cheese are included in Tasting Table's list of the best unexpected toppings for toast for good reason. As such, combining the two is practically a no-brainer. If you've already prepared this Southern classic on a plate, simply scoop up enough of the mixture to spread on toast and enjoy every bite. Alternatively, spread the cream cheese on your toast first and then spoon the pepper jelly on top for optimal coverage. There are so many ways to make this snack even heartier, should you have the appetite.

Amping up your typical toast with a mixture of cream cheese and pepper jelly is an excellent snack, opening up possibilities for even more culinary creativity. Transform this old-fashioned Southern classic into a sandwich by using the pepper jelly as a filling between two slices of toasted bread. For an even heartier dish, prepare this in the same way you would a grilled cheese sandwich. Use a griddle or skillet to toast your bread before adding the pepper jelly cream cheese in the middle for a mouthwatering melty treat.

Cream cheese and pepper jelly can also help elevate yet another old-fashioned Southern staple, the classic tomato sandwich. Add the hot and creamy spread to toasted bread before loading it up with slices of tomatoes and your choice of seasonings. Enhance this satisfying vegetarian-friendly sandwich with the addition of fresh arugula, sliced cucumber, and apple slices.

For the meat eaters, use pepper jelly and cream cheese as a luscious condiment to upgrade a basic turkey or ham sandwich on toasted bread. This Southern classic appetizer is a delight in its own right and made even heartier and tastier with a few clever additions.