Holiday tree is great party appetizer

Everyone could use a festive and tasty appetizer this time of year. This one has the double benefit of not being a “sweet” treat. With so much entertaining and taking goodies to work and office parties, this festive dish works for home or on the go.

Crescent Holiday Appetizer Tree was found of www.Foodnetwork.com and comes from the Pillsbury Crescent Creations site. Bring this to the office party for a big hit.

Crescent Holiday Appetizer Tree

Ingredients:

1 can (8 oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1 container ( 8 oz.) chives-and-onion cream cheese spread

1 tablespoon milk

3/4 medium red bell pepper

1/4 medium yellow bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli

2 tablespoons sliced, ready-to-eat baby-cut carrots

1 tablespoon chopped cucumber

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove dough from can in one long roll, do not unroll or separate. Cut into 16 slices.

Place slices, cut side down, on ungreased cookie sheet. To form the tree, start by placing 1 slice for top; arrange 2 slices just below, with sides touching. Continue arranging a row of 3 slices, then a row of 4 slices, ending with a row of 5 slices. Use the remaining slice for the tree trunk.

Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute.

Carefully loosen tree from cookie sheet with spatula and slide onto wire rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes, then place tree on serving platter or tray.

In small bowl, mix cream cheese spread and milk until smooth. Spread over baked tree. Cut strips from red bell pepper for garland, then chop any remaining red pepper. With small star-shaped canapé cutter, cut a star from yellow bell pepper, then chop remaining yellow pepper. Decorate tree with bell peppers, broccoli, carrots and cucumber. Serve immediately, or cover loosely and refrigerate 24 hours before serving.