Since 2009 marks the 70th Anniversary of the film version of the “Wizard of Oz,” why not host a party with some Oz-themed food. (And no, I’m not referring to the HBO show, although a prison-food theme might make for another interesting party theme!)

This recipe is a great way to have cheesecake-like items without the cost … It’s simple to make, tastes great, and it can be prepared healthily! Check out the recipe for “Yellow Brick Road Mock Cheesecakes”

##INGREDIENTS##

1. Box of graham crackers

2. 8 oz. of plain cream cheese (can be fat-free)

3. 8 oz. of Neufchatel cheese (OPTIONAL)

4. Yellow food coloring

5. Fresh (or frozen and thawed) strawberries

6. White sugar crystals (or artificial sweetener)

7. Red sugar crystals (OPTIONAL)

##PREPARATION##

Step 1: Open up a box of graham crackers. Break the flats in half along the perforation on the cracker so what you have look like little graham cracker “bricks.”

Step 2: For your spreadable cheese layer of your mock-cheesecake, you can use fat free (or reduced- or full-fat, whatever your preference) plain cream cheese.

Step 3: OPTIONAL – If you like, you can blend the Neufchatel cheese with your cream cheese for a richer flavor. It’s not neccessary, though and you can get away with just using your cream cheese… But if you feel like experimenting, Neufchatel is the way to go!

Step 4: Add some yellow food coloring to your blended or plain cream cheese to acheive your desired effect. Blend it together thoroughly and spread a nice layer over your graham cracker “bricks.”

Step 5: Slice up some fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries and put two slices on each “brick.”

Step 6: Sprinkle red or white sugar crystals over the top of the strawberries. Your strawberry “ruby slippers” will sparkle now!!

Step 7: Sprinkle a light dusting the white sugar crystals over the creamy cheese layer of the crackers.

Step 8: Arrange your crackers on the tray to look like a “Yellow Brick Road” with either a spiral pattern or just a straight brick road. Enjoy!