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Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1 pound Loaf of frozen white or wheat bread dough, thawed; or 16 ounce can of reduced-fat crescent roll dough
2 ounces Low-fat sharp cheddar cheese (or other favorite cheese)
16 slices Reduced-fat turkey pepperoni or reduced-fat salami
2 tablespoons Butter
10 Drops red and 10 drops blue food coloring, optional

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat cookie sheets with nonstick spray; set aside.

2. With a plastic knife, divide dough into 24 equal pieces.

3. Cut cheese into 8 1/2-inch cubes.

4. Fold slices of meat into small squares. Wrap each piece of dough around meat square or a cheese cube, then roll into a small ball (to completely cover fillings). Place on prepared cookie sheet.

5. Arrange bread balls into the shape of a brain. Make an indentation down the center of brain to divide left and right hemispheres.

6. Place 1 tablespoon of butter in each cup. Melt in microwave about 20 seconds on high. (Or melt butter in saucepan over low heat; pour into cups.) Stir red food coloring in one cup and blue in the other. Use a thin paintbrush to draw a network of red and blue arteries and veins.

7. If using thawed frozen dough, place brain in warm place and let rise about 1 hour. If using canned dough, proceed with baking.

8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked in center.

9. To serve, let kids pull bread balls from brain and eat.

Cook's Notes

Equipment needed:
Cookie sheet
Plastic knife
2 small microwave-safe cups
Microwave (or saucepan)
2 thin paintbrushes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 271 ; Total Fat: 8.3 ; Saturated Fat: 2.2 ; Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.7 ; Carbohydrates: 36.7 ; Protein: 12.3 ; Vitamin A: 190 ; Vitamin C: 1.6 ; Calcium: 53.5 ; Sodium: 1295 ; Iron: 2.5 ; Fiber: 1.2