Cooking Light with Lindsay & Giada: King Crescents

Inspired by everything Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, I wanted to create a slim version of the traditional King Cake. At the same time, I wanted something simple and easy to throw together in a pinch. I remembered a recipe I printed out a few months earlier for Mascarpone and Blueberry Turnovers, created by Giada De Laurentiis. Giada's recipe is what inspired me to create these little fun-filled, festive treats. After dinner or with your morning coffee, I believe you will find pure joy in eating these King Crescents. Let the party begin!

KING CRESCENTS
Makes 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package Pillsbury Reduced-Fat Crescent Rolls
• 4 ounces Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Icing

• 2 ounces Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese
• 3 tablespoons Fat Free Half-and-Half
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• lemon zest
• lime zest

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest and sugar. Fold in the blueberries.

Unwrap the crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles. Before rolling the crescent roll as you normally would, place a spoonful of the blueberry mixture at the top end. Roll the crescent over the mixture. Secure the ends by pinching the dough around the filling. Place each crescent on a prepared baking sheet and bake for about 11 minutes, or until golden brown.

While crescents are cooking, melt 2 ounces of Reduced-Fat cream cheese in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in fat free half-and-half and sugar. Keep warm.

When the crescents are finished baking, remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 3 minutes. Then drizzle the icing over the crescents using a spoon. Top off with lime and lemon zest. Garnish with additional fresh blueberries.

RESULTS

These turned out to be a delicious, healthy substitute for the King Cake. They are light and airy, yet full of flavor. The zest from the lemon and lime not only provides the traditional colors needed for a King Cake, but it also offers such a crisp, fresh flavor. Like I mentioned earlier; after dinner or with your morning coffee, these King Crescents are sure to satisfy your King Cake craving.

Oh! I almost forgot. If you really want to make this like a King Cake, don't forget to tuck the heat safe mini baby somewhere in one of the crescents, just before icing.

Enjoy!

NUTRITION FACTS (per King Crescent): 152.5 calories; 7.73g fat;  17.73g carbohydrate;  3.47g protein;  .21g fiber

Compare to this King Cake: 465 calories and 17.5g fat per serving

*PRINT~FRIENDLY*