Orange Marmalade Sandwich Spread - Fig Sandwich Spread

Ingredients:

1 cup cream cheese, room temperature or softened

Food coloring, if desired

1/4 cup orange marmalade preserve or fig preserves

Bread slices*

Unsalted butter**

* Use only best-quality bread (never serve end slices). Freezing the bread before cutting and then spreading makes for easier handling.

** Bread slices should be lightly buttered no matter what the filling. Unsalted butter should always be used. Butter should be at room temperature before spreading. Sandwiches will not become limp and soggy as readily if you spread the butter to the edge of the bread.

Preparation:

In a medium-size bowl, blend together the cream cheese with food coloring (1 drop at a time) of your choice. Blend in the orange marmalade or fig preserves.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

When ready to assemble sandwiches, using a cookie cutter of your choice, cut out the desired pattern for your sandwich. Lightly spread the top of each piece of bread with butter. Spread a generous portion of the filling on top of each bread slice.

Serve on a large platter or individual serving plates.