Description

These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer or dessert. Featuring flaky crescent roll dough filled with a smooth cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture, topped with tangy whole berry cranberry sauce and optional crunchy pecans or zesty orange peel, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

1 can crescent roll dough

Filling

4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

Topping

½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
Optional: chopped pecans or orange zest for topping

Instructions

Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and creamy.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
Assemble Bites: Unroll the crescent roll dough on a clean surface and separate it into individual triangles according to package instructions. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto the wider end of each triangle, then spread evenly. Add approximately 1 teaspoon of whole berry cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese filling. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans or a pinch of orange zest over the cranberry sauce for extra flavor and texture.
Roll Crescents: Carefully roll up each crescent from the wide end to the pointed tip, ensuring the filling stays inside. Place the bites on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until the crescents are golden brown and puffed.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bites from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Notes

You can substitute the powdered sugar with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener, but the texture of the filling may change slightly.
For a festive touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over the baked bites before serving.
These bites can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add an extra minute or two to the baking time if baking from cold.
If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative.

Keywords: cranberry, cream cheese, crescent rolls, appetizer, holiday recipe, cranberry sauce, easy dessert