Easy Appetizer: Mini Frankfurters Wrapped in Crescent Dough

The season of preparing extra recipes will be wrapped up tonight as we celebrate New Year's Eve.  If you have been cooking and baking since Thanksgiving and are out of ideas for the final binge of 2011, I have an easy appetizer suggestion for you! Only two ingredients are needed to create this delicious and satisfying finger food, which can be served cold...bite-size frankfurters wrapped in crescent dough.  I last served them to a group of musicians in July, when we were in an orchestra pit for an outdoor evening performance.  I prepared these mini wonders early in the day, then refrigerated them before placing them into a cooler for toting to the performance.  They received rave reviews for their taste and ease of access.  With only a fifteen minute intermission, foods that can be consumed quickly without the fuss of cutting and serving (or using plates, utensils, and napkins) are of the essence.  While these appetizers can be great recharge snacks for hard-working musicians, they will also be right at home on your party buffet.  Consider taking them along to the next event (birthday party, scrapbook meet, Bible study, music performance), when you want to bring something other than the basic chips and dip.  I can assure you that they will be a hit!

48 Mini Frankfurters Wrapped in Crescent Dough

Ingredients:

16 (8 per package) average-sized frankfurters
2 regular (12 servings each) tubes of crescent roll dough

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cover a large baking sheet with foil.
3. Cut each frankfurter into thirds, for a total of 48 mini frankfurters.
4. Unroll one tube of crescent dough.  Separate the 12 triangles, and cut each in half, for a total of 24 pieces. 
5. Position mini frankfurter on one end of dough triangle, and roll before placing onto unprepared foil.
6. Bake 24 mini frankfurters for 15 minutes, until dough is golden brown. 
7. Repeat procedure for the second batch.

*Note: If you have two large baking sheets, you can prepare and bake both batches at the same time.  Just be sure to switch the positions of the baking sheets around the 8 minute mark, and bake for another 8 minutes, for a total of 16 minutes.