Game-Day Spinach Pull-Apart

Being the spinach-lover that I am, I had to try this recipe and we were thoroughly delighted with the outcome. Recipe by: Amanda Soto from Philadelphia, Pa. submitted for Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest 44, 2010. You make it in a bundt pan which is another of my pleasures & it was a wonderful appetizer. :) Forgot to allow for 15 minutes cooling time. :(

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons  land o lakes butter, melted
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  garlic salt or 1 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise or 1⁄4 cup  salad dressing
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1⁄2 cup  shredded mozzarella cheese (2 oz)
• 1 (9 ounce) box  green giant frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain and finely chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil leaves (optional, we didn't use it)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
•  red pepper flakes
• 2 (8 ounce) cans  pillsbury refrigerated  garlic butter crescent dinner rolls (16 rolls)
• 1  cup  marinara sauce, heated (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F
2. Spray 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.
3. In small bowl, mix butter and 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic salt; set aside.
4. In medium bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, basi (if using), pepper, red pepper flakes and remaining 1 teaspoon garlic salt until blended; set aside.
5. Unroll crescent dough; separate into 16 triangles.
6. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise to make total of 32 small triangles.
7. Stretch or press 1 triangle slightly, being careful not to tear it.
8. Spoon 1 tablespoon spinach mixture onto center of triangle; pull dough around mixture into a ball.
9. Press edges to seal.
10. Repeat with remaining triangles.
11. Roll each ball in butter mixture; layer in pan.
12. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
13. Cool 5 minutes.
14. Place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over.
15. Remove pan; cool 10 minutes longer.
16. Serve warm with marinara sauce.
17. YUM!