📝 About This Recipe
Transform a simple snack time into an enchanting garden adventure with these adorable Butterfly Crackers. These edible masterpieces use crisp round crackers for wings and savory fillings to create a delightful balance of crunch, creaminess, and fresh produce. Perfect for picky eaters and budding chefs alike, these snacks turn nutritious ingredients into a visual feast that celebrates creativity in the kitchen.
🥗 Ingredients
The Wings and Body
- 16 pieces Buttery Round Crackers (Ritz or similar style)
- 4 pieces Celery Stalks (washed and trimmed to 3-inch lengths)
- 16 pieces Pretzel Sticks (for the antennae)
The Creamy 'Glue'
- 1/2 cup Cream Cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1/4 cup Mild Cheddar Cheese (finely shredded)
- 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder (for a hint of savory flavor)
Colorful Decorations
- 6 pieces Cherry Tomatoes (quartered)
- 4 pieces Black Olives (sliced into small rounds for eyes)
- 1/4 cup English Cucumber (finely diced)
- 1/4 piece Yellow Bell Pepper (cut into tiny triangles)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Chives (sniped into small bits)
- 2 tablespoons Dried Cranberries (for spots on the wings)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and garlic powder. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
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2
Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip, or a plastic sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off for easy application.
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3
Prepare the celery 'bodies' by patting them very dry with a paper towel; this ensures the cream cheese sticks properly.
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4
Fill the hollow center of each 3-inch celery stalk with the cream cheese mixture, smoothing the top with a small spatula or the back of a spoon.
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5
To create the wings, take four round crackers and carefully cut them in half using a serrated knife to create semi-circles. You will need 4 semi-circles per butterfly.
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6
Press two cracker halves into the cream cheese on the left side of a celery stalk, angling them outward like wings. Repeat on the right side with two more halves.
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7
Place two small olive rounds at the top end of the celery stalk to serve as the butterfly's eyes.
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8
Gently insert two pretzel sticks into the cream cheese just above the eyes to create the antennae.
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9
Using your piping bag, add tiny dots of cream cheese onto the surface of the cracker wings to act as 'glue' for your decorations.
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10
Decorate the wings by placing diced cucumbers, yellow pepper triangles, and dried cranberries onto the cream cheese dots in a symmetrical pattern.
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11
Add a quartered cherry tomato to the center of each wing set for a pop of bright red color.
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12
Sprinkle a few sniped chives over the body to represent garden fuzz or extra detail.
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13
Repeat the process for the remaining three butterflies, ensuring each one has its own unique color pattern.
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14
Place the completed butterflies on a serving platter and chill in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to allow the cream cheese to firm up before serving.
💡 Chef's Tips
For a sweeter version, swap the cream cheese and garlic for peanut butter or sunflower butter and use apple slices for wings. Always pat your vegetables dry before assembly to prevent the crackers from getting soggy too quickly. If you don't have a piping bag, a small spoon works fine, just take your time to keep the 'body' neat. Involve the kids by letting them choose the 'spots' for the wings from a variety of chopped colorful veggies. Use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion to cut the crackers to prevent them from shattering.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside a small bowl of hummus for extra dipping fun. Pair with a glass of cold apple juice or a fruit-infused sparkling water. Arrange on a bed of curly kale or parsley to simulate a green garden meadow. Add a side of grapes or berries to complete a balanced afternoon snack. Great as a centerpiece for a themed birthday party or a 'fancy' tea party lunch.