IRRESISTIBLE CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE CRESCENT BITES

Imagine the burst of tart cranberries mingling with the creamy, smooth coolness of cream cheese, all wrapped in a flaky, golden crescent roll – it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that’s simply irresistible. These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are the answer to your holiday appetizer dreams, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Get ready to wow your guests (and yourself!) with this easy-to-make treat; I promise you’ll be coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

The Dream Team: Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature (this is key!)
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade – your choice!)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (because everything’s better with vanilla!)
• Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional, but adds a lovely warmth)

For the Crescent Bites:

• 2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (seamless sheets work too!)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (for that golden finish)
• Coarse sugar or sanding sugar (for a little sparkle and crunch)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Get Baking!

Getting Started: Prep the Filling

1. Soften the Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft. Seriously, this is important! If it’s not soft enough, you’ll end up with lumpy filling. Nobody wants lumpy filling. You can leave it out at room temperature for about an hour, or carefully microwave it in 15-second intervals until softened.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, cranberry sauce, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using) until smooth and creamy. I like to use an electric mixer for this, but a good old-fashioned whisk works too!
3. Taste Test (Important!): Give your filling a taste. Is it sweet enough? Does it need a little more cinnamon? Now’s your chance to adjust it to your liking.

Assembling the Crescent Bites: The Fun Part!

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Trust me on this one.
2. Unroll the Dough: Unroll one can of crescent roll dough onto a lightly floured surface. If you’re using the crescent roll sheets, simply lay one out. If you’re using the traditional triangle cut crescent rolls, pinch the seams together so that you have one solid sheet.
3. Spread the Filling: Spread half of the cream cheese filling evenly over the crescent dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Roll It Up: Gently roll up the dough tightly, starting from one end.
5. Slice and Arrange: Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into about 1-inch thick slices. Place the slices, cut-side up, onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Repeat: Repeat steps 2-5 with the second can of crescent roll dough and the remaining filling.

Baking to Golden Perfection: Almost There!

1. Brush with Butter: Brush the tops of the crescent bites with the melted butter. This is what gives them that beautiful golden color.
2. Sprinkle with Sugar: Sprinkle generously with coarse sugar or sanding sugar. This adds a lovely sparkle and a satisfying crunch.
3. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent bites are golden brown and the filling is set. Keep an eye on them – oven times can vary!
4. Cool and Serve: Let the crescent bites cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a serving platter. Serve warm or at room temperature. They’re delicious either way!

Tips & Tricks for Crescent Bite Success

Cream Cheese Clarity

I can’t stress this enough: soft cream cheese is KEY. Cold cream cheese will clump and be hard to spread. If you forget to take it out ahead of time (we’ve all been there!), try softening it in the microwave. Just be careful not to melt it!

Cranberry Control

Don’t overfill! Too much filling will cause the crescent bites to be soggy and leak. A nice, even layer is all you need. If you are using homemade cranberry sauce, be sure it is not too watery. Strain out any excess liquid before using.

Baking Sheet Bliss

Parchment paper is your best friend. It prevents the crescent bites from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup a breeze. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet instead.

Sweetness Scale

Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet filling, reduce the amount of sugar. If you like things extra sweet, add a little more. You could even use brown sugar for a caramel-like flavor.

Flavor Variations: Get Creative!

Want to mix things up? Try adding a little orange zest to the filling for a brighter flavor. Or, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for a nutty crunch. You could also drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the cooled crescent bites for an extra touch of sweetness.

For another tasty treat, you could try Buttery Pecan Crescent Rolls. They offer a delightful nutty flavor that complements the flaky crescent dough.

Serving Suggestions: Make it a Party!

These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or even just a cozy night in. Serve them as an appetizer, a dessert, or even as a side dish with your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They pair well with other appetizers like Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Bites, offering a cohesive holiday flavor profile.

They’re also delicious with a cup of coffee or tea. For a more festive presentation, arrange the crescent bites on a pretty platter and garnish with fresh cranberries or a sprig of rosemary.

If you’re looking for another festive appetizer, consider trying Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. Its creamy texture and nutty crunch pair well with the sweet and tangy cranberry flavor.

Or, if you have leftover cranberry sauce, Chocolate Covered Cranberry Sauce is a unique and decadent treat you may enjoy.

To add a homemade touch to your holiday table, try Christmas Cranberry Jam – It can be served alongside these bites.

For another easy roll-up recipe with similar flavors, check out Christmas Cranberry Roll-ups for more holiday baking inspiration.

Storage Instructions: Making Ahead and Leftovers

Make Ahead

You can assemble the crescent bites ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator, unbaked, for up to 24 hours. Just be sure to cover them tightly to prevent the dough from drying out. When you’re ready to bake, simply brush them with butter, sprinkle with sugar, and bake as directed.

Leftovers

Leftover Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re still delicious cold, but if you prefer, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave. To reheat in the oven, bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. To reheat in the microwave, heat on high for about 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat them, or they’ll become soggy.

So there you have it – my foolproof recipe for Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites! I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do. They’re the perfect way to add a touch of holiday cheer to any occasion. Happy baking!

Irresistible Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites

These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are a delightful combination of tart cranberries and creamy cream cheese, all wrapped in flaky crescent dough. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in, they offer a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors that are easy to make and sure to impress.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 16

Course: Appetizer, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 150

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground cinnamon optional
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Coarse sugar or sanding sugar

Equipment

• Medium bowl
• Electric mixer (or whisk)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, cranberry sauce, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using) until smooth and creamy.
3. Unroll one can of crescent roll dough onto a lightly floured surface.
4. If using crescent roll sheets, simply lay one out. If using triangle cut crescent rolls, pinch the seams together to form one solid sheet.
5. Spread half of the cream cheese filling evenly over the crescent dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Gently roll up the dough tightly, starting from one end.
7. Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into about 1-inch thick slices.
8. Place the slices, cut-side up, onto the prepared baking sheet.
9. Repeat steps with the second can of crescent roll dough and the remaining filling.
10. Brush the tops of the crescent bites with the melted butter.
11. Sprinkle generously with coarse sugar or sanding sugar.
12. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent bites are golden brown and the filling is set.
13. Let the crescent bites cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a serving platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Soft cream cheese is essential for a smooth filling. Adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. Avoid overfilling the dough to prevent sogginess. You can prepare these ahead of time and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 24 hours. Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For flavor variations, add orange zest to the filling or sprinkle chopped nuts on top before baking. Drizzle with melted white chocolate after cooling for extra sweetness.