Pastry-wrapped Cream Cheese and Pesto

This is an elegant appetizer that is very simple to make. No complicated ingredients, no need to mix or sautee...just assemble and bake.

My family loves this and it is devoured each time I make it.

Pastry-wrapped Cream Cheese and Pesto
adapted from Kraft Foods
1 (4-oz) can refrigerated crescent dinner roll dough
8 oz cream cheese
2 T prepared basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 350. Unroll dough on lightly greased baking sheet. Split in half so you have two squares of dough. Press together any seams. Using a sharp knife, cut brick of cream cheese in half horizontally.

Place one half on top of the dough. Top cream cheese with one tablespoon of the pesto.
Cover with other half of cream cheese. Top with remaining pesto. Lay second half of dough over top of cream cheese. Press edges together to seal all the way around, or use a pastry wheel to seal.
Brush with beaten egg.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes. Serve with crackers and fresh vegetables.

This recipe works well with reduced fat crescent rolls and Neufchatel cheese (this is how I generally prepare it). The Neufchatel is quite soft, so I freeze it for an hour or so before so it is firm enough to cut in half.

15 comments:

Michelle said...

OH MY GOODNESS that looks heavenly! And impressive, too! Prefect for company OR a night in. :) Gorgeous picture, too.

Jess @ Sugar High said...

It's so simple, and looks so good! I try to stay away from refridgerated bicuits, but I think for now I'll have to make an acception :)

Joanne said...

I love using crescent dough for things like this. I once used it as a pot pie topping. It was awesome.

This filling sounds delicious!

Sarah said...

Sounds great. And easy - I love that for a party.

Red Couch Recipes said...

This looks yummy! I think that this will also be great with puff pastry...love the ingredients. Joni

Chef Dennis Littley said...

what a great idea! I never did like baked brie that much but you can flavor this anyway you want!! Perfect for parties!

Baking Addict said...

Looks great, thanks for the recipe :)

Michelle said...

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Jenniffer said...

Nothing wrong with cream cheese and crescent dough! YUM!!

Katie said...

So tasty and delicious

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

Such an impressive presentation!! WOW it looks like you spent hours slaving over this. I love it!! One of my girlfriends is a big cream cheese fan - I'm making this for her for sure. Thanks for the great recipe!

Belle Jaeger said...

Looks fantastic--I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing.
http://bellescottagenest.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Sikora said...

That looks absolutely delicious!
www.jennifersikora.com

Casey R said...

Hi, I wanted to let you know I featured you on my blog in a post titled Favorite Things: Recipe Blogs part 1.

You can check the post out here:
http://theoverloadedmommy.blogspot.com/2010/06/favorite-things-recipe-blogs-part-1.html

If you would be interested in having a featured button please comment me back.

Thanks
Have a Great Day
Casey

Natalie said...

This looks like absolute HEAVEN!