Mama sets these out on the porch every summer and we devour the whole plate before dinner even starts. Takes just 3 ingredients for the ultimate afternoon snack.

Directions

1. Wash and dry the tomatoes well, then slice them into thin rounds. If the slices seem very juicy, lightly pat them with a paper towel so the crackers stay crisp.

2. Spread or dollop a small amount of softened cream cheese onto each cracker.

3. Top each cracker with a tomato slice, pressing very gently so it stays in place.

4. Arrange on a plate and serve right away for the best texture.

Variations & Tips

Use the best tomatoes: Since there are only three ingredients here, ripe summer tomatoes make all the difference. If you can get backyard or farmers market tomatoes, this snack will taste even better.

Keep the crackers crisp: Assemble these just before serving so the tomato juices don’t soften the crackers. If you need a little head start, slice the tomatoes and soften the cream cheese ahead of time, then put everything together at the last minute.

Try a flavored cream cheese: Chive, garden vegetable, or whipped cream cheese can give these bites a little extra personality without making the recipe any harder.

Make them party-friendly: For a larger gathering, arrange the crackers on a tray and set out the cream cheese and tomato slices assembly-line style. It’s an easy way to make a bunch quickly without fussing in the kitchen.