The Perfect Party Appetizer

If you peeked into my recipes binder, you'd see that this one is well-worn. It's my go-to dish for parties and makes a great appetizer. There aren't any holiday-specific seasonings or flavors, but I almost always make this on Christmas Eve. It's hearty enough that the many boys in our family love it, but light and flaky enough to draw in the gals as well.
Sausage Crescent Loaves
2 cans crescent rolls
1 lb. reduced fat sausage
1- 8oz brick of low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 egg white

You'll see in all of my pictures that I doubled the recipe. It feeds a crowd, but always goes fast so I make a lot!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown the sausage and drain. Add warm sausage to medium-large bowl and stir in cream cheese until melted and combined. Of course, if you're like me, you never remember to soften the cream cheese. In that case, leave the sausage in the pan and add the (very cold) cream cheese. This way you can bump the heat on (but keep it on low!) if you need to to give the cream cheese a boost in the melting process.

Eventually, you'll have this. Let it cool completely before you start the next step. I usually put some plastic wrap over top and stick it in the fridge to speed things along.

Spray a cookie sheet and unroll both cans of crescent rolls out flat. Push any seams together that separate. Spread half of the sausage cream cheese mixture the length of each crescent roll sheet. Now fold the crescent rolls sides over on top of itself and the sausage mixture. Press down to seal the edges.

Now, when I say use half of the mixture, I can tell you from experience that it's important. But when you're doubling the recipe, it's harder to eyeball equal amounts.

So you end up with half of your loaves overstuffed...

And half of them pitifully thin...

Even if this happens to you, don't fret. All four of these loaves were gone in a flash - skinny and overstuffed alike. To prevent a mishap like mine though, I highly recommend not closing up your crescent loaves until you've equally separated out the sausage mixture for each loaf.

To add a yummy crispness, brush on some egg whites.

Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes and you'll have these lovelies...

Slice them into 1 1/2" slices. You've got a hearty appetizer, finger food, or party dish that feeds and pleases a crowd.

Enjoy! What's your go-to party recipe?

Linking to:

Remodelaholic ...