This time of the year, it's not unusual to have guests pop by with little or even no notice. When they do, they aren't expecting food or beverage. They are stopping in to visit a bit during a festive season that's all about connecting with friends and loved ones. But, if you're like me, one of the ways you connect with people is through food. So it's nice to have a dish or two that takes just a few minutes to prepare and has guests feeling downright spoiled. Case in point:
If you have just a handful of ingredients on hand and about 20 minutes, you can offer those around your table a lovely bit of pastry that's brimming with spiced pieces of apple. It's the epitome of comfort food and you don't need a lot of time to put them together. If you're lucky enough to have some sunshine pouring in, your friends and family might even be treated to this view:
You can skip the peanut butter caramel drizzle, of course. I just happened to have some on hand and thought it made the pastry all the more festive. And, given the season, I thought festive was just the ticket for me. Just brew up a pot of coffee or make some hot cocoa or tea and you've got a lovely little snack to enjoy while you visit with your guests. Oh, and clean up is easy too — the gift-giving starts early here!
Easy Apple Crescents
- 1 large baking apple — peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 T. brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tube (about 16 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/4 c. PB Caramel Dip, softened
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Combine the diced apple, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon together in a small dish. Set aside.
Using your fingers, press each crescent dough piece flat into a triangle. Carefully place a small spoonful of the apple mixture on the side of the triangle opposite the point. Carefully roll the dough up, starting on the side with the apples and tucking the filling into the crescent as you go along. Arrange the crescents on a baking sheet covered with a silicone baking mat.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the apple filling is slightly bubbly. Drizzle some of the PB Caramel Dip over the top of each crescent before serving. Serve warm.
- Yields: 6-8 crescents, depending on the tube of refrigerated crescents
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes