Butterfly Cheese Sandwiches

Name: Butterfly Cheese Sandwiches
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 2 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 12 slices white bread; 12 slices American cheese; 22 pitted ripe olives

I used a cookie cutter to shape these sandwiches, then decorated them using olives and piped cream cheese.—Lenore Walters, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
12 slices white bread
12 slices American cheese
22 pitted ripe olives

Directions

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, milk, garlic powder and onion powder until smooth; set side 1/4 cup. Spread 1 tablespoon of the remaining cream cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Top each with a cheese slice. Cut out each sandwich with a butterfly-shaped cookie cutter.
Cut 12 olives in half lengthwise; place two halves, cut side down, in the center of each sandwich for butterfly body. Cut remaining whole olives into slices; place two on each wing. Set olive ends aside.
Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a small start tip. Fill bag with reserved cream cheese mixture. Pipe star on each olive slice; pipe two stars on front of each butterfly body for eyes. Cut olive ends into small pieces; place on eyes.

Originally published as Butterfly Cheese Sandwiches in Taste of Home June/July 2004