Fancy Crackers

Okay, tonight I'm giving you a quick-n-easy party snack idea...we'll call them Fancy Crackers.  Basically you take a cracker, spread a nice soft cheese across the top, and finish with a doink of fruit preserve (for the record, doink = more than a smidge, less than a dollop).  Voila!  Fancy Crackers!  I know it sounds simple, but doesn't take a lot of time and your guests will be impressed that you made the effort to fix 'em up a little sumpin-sumpin special.

For your Mix & Match pleasure, here are some ideas for combo elements. 

Cracker Types (and Brands)
Be bold, be daring, try a cracker you haven't tried before, your guests will be blinded by your genius.

Wheat (Triskets, Carr's, Wheat Thins, Wheatables)
Buttery (Club, Town House)
Sesame (Carr's)
Multigrain (Breton, Wheat Thins)
Rye (Ry Krisp, Ryvita, Wasa)

Cheeses
The key is to get something soft and spreadable to provide a nice base for the doink.

Cream Cheese
Flavored Cream Cheese
Neufchatel
Brie
Camembert
Goat's Cheese

Fruit Preserves
You want something with a little texture to keep your cracker interesting and give it some depth and texture variety, especially since you're plunking it down on a nice smooth cheese. So stay away from jellies because they won't give you any of that, but look for jams, chutneys, confits, conserves, or marmelades (anything with tasty chunks or lumps), and branch out with more "exotic" flavors to kick up your fancy level.

Cranberry (chutney)
Pineapple (chutney)
Fig
Quince
Orange (marmelade)
Plum
Pepper Jelly (had chunks so not a strict jelly)
Peach
Black Currants
Red Currants
Gooseberries
Snosberries (if you can find them) :)