Party By Pillsbury

 Usually everything on this blog is all natural and homemade, but in my household we are are a bit more flexible.  While we try to keep everything on the healthy side we do hit up fast food, buy some convenience food, and when Pillsbury comes a knocking offering a chance to try some of their appetizer recipes we do not turn them down.  I would love to be one of those ladies that has no processed items cross her threshold, but that isn't my reality.  Sometimes, especially around the holidays, I cut myself some slack, enjoy easy, yummy food, and know that when done it moderation there is a place for goodies like this.  Following are some of the recipes I got to make and try.  I can tell you every last one of them was a hit and will probably make it into the rotation. 

Bacon-Cheddar Pinwheels

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
• 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
• 1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut lengthwise into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle.
• Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions.
• Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

***Yes, mine are not pinwheels.  I always over stuff, but I can tell you the recipe served as pockets was just as well received.

Crescent Layer Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
• 1 cup white vanilla baking chips
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup cashew halves and pieces
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark pans). Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan.
• If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough into 2 long rectangles. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough. Place in pan; press over bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust. Bake 5 minutes.
• Remove partially baked crust from oven. Sprinkle vanilla chips, chocolate chips, almonds and cashews evenly over crust. Pour condensed milk evenly over top.
• Return to oven; bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan. Cool 1 hour. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.

Crescent-Wrapped Brie

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
• 1 round (8 oz) Brie cheese
• 1 egg, beaten

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate crosswise into 2 sections. Pat dough and firmly press perforations to seal, forming 2 squares. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut crosswise into 2 rectangles. Pat dough to form 2 squares.
• Place 1 square on ungreased cookie sheet. Place cheese on center of dough. With small cookie or canapé cutter, cut 1 shape from each corner of remaining square; set cutouts aside.
• Place remaining square on top of cheese round. Press dough evenly around cheese; fold bottom edges over top edges. Gently stretch dough evenly around cheese; press to seal completely. Brush with beaten egg. Top with cutouts; brush with additional beaten egg.5Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Mini Crescent Dogs

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 48 cocktail-sized smoked link sausages or hot dogs (from 16-oz package)

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll both cans of the dough; separate into 16 triangles. Cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 narrow triangles.
• Place sausage on shortest side of each triangle. Roll up each, starting at shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point; place point side down on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, switching position of cookie sheets halfway through baking. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

If you are interested in recipe cards or coupons for the crescent rolls please contact me and I would be happy to send some along.