Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is simple, festive, and incredibly versatile. It requires minimal ingredients, bakes quickly, and delivers a perfect balance of flaky, creamy, and fruity flavors in every bite.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites: A Festive, Sweet-Savory Appetizer Everyone Loves
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Flaky crescent roll bites filled with creamy sweetened cream cheese and tart cranberries, baked until golden for an easy and festive appetizer or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- Cooking spray or melted butter, for greasing
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
- Separate crescent roll dough into triangles and cut each triangle into 2–3 smaller pieces.
- Press dough pieces into the muffin cups to form small wells.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Stir in dried cranberries.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly into each dough-lined cup.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until crescent dough is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- Do not overfill to prevent overflow.
- Best served warm or at room temperature.
- Fresh cranberries can be used if finely chopped and sweetened.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Crescent roll dough forms the flaky, buttery exterior. It bakes into a golden, tender crust that holds the filling perfectly.
Cream cheese creates the rich, smooth center of the bites, adding creaminess without heaviness.
Cranberry sauce provides sweetness and tang, giving these bites their festive character and bright flavor.
Powdered sugar lightly sweetens the cream cheese, keeping the filling smooth and balanced.
Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth, enhancing both the cream cheese and cranberry flavors.
Butter adds richness and helps the crescent dough bake evenly and golden.
Directions
Begin by preheating the oven and lining a baking tray with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles. Spread a small amount of the cream cheese mixture onto each triangle, followed by a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Gently roll up the crescents, tucking in the filling as you go. Arrange them on the prepared baking tray, spacing them slightly apart. Brush lightly with melted butter and bake until the crescents are puffed, golden, and fully cooked. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 8 to 12 crescent bites, depending on size. Preparation time is about 10 minutes, and baking time is 12 to 15 minutes. Total time is roughly 25 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store leftover crescent bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven to restore flakiness. Microwaving is not recommended, as it softens the pastry.
Variations and Customizations
Savory cranberry bites
Add a small amount of shredded cheese or herbs to the cream cheese mixture.
Orange-cranberry version
Mix a little orange zest into the cream cheese for brightness.
Nutty addition
Sprinkle finely chopped pecans over the filling before rolling.
Dessert-style bites
Dust with powdered sugar after baking for a sweeter finish.
Mini bites option
Cut the dough into smaller portions for bite-sized servings.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cranberry sauce?
Yes, homemade or store-bought both work well.
Should the cream cheese be softened?
Yes, softened cream cheese mixes more smoothly.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble them ahead and bake just before serving.
Are these more sweet or savory?
They are gently sweet with a balanced, creamy filling.
Can I freeze these bites?
Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes.
What can I serve them with?
They pair well with other appetizers or a holiday spread.
Can I use puff pastry instead?
Yes, but baking time will need adjustment.
Do they leak while baking?
Avoid overfilling to prevent leaks.
Are these good for brunch?
Yes, they work beautifully for brunch or breakfast tables.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply use additional baking trays.
Conclusion
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are a festive, reliable recipe that delivers big flavor with very little effort. Flaky, creamy, and lightly sweet, they are perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or anytime you want a quick appetizer that feels special and comforting.
Looking for more tasty recipes? Visit our website for full details and follow us on Pinterest for daily food ideas to save and share