Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites combine flaky crescent roll dough with a creamy, tangy filling of cream cheese and cranberry sauce, creating perfect holiday-inspired appetizers that balance sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 tubes 8 oz each refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce homemade or canned
- 1 tablespoon orange zest optional, but adds brightness
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or thyme optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and no lumps remain.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into triangles. If using the perforated sheets, cut into 16 equal squares.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough piece, followed by 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Be careful not to overfill, or they may burst during baking.
- If using triangles, fold the corners toward the center, pinching the edges to seal. For squares, bring all four corners to the center and pinch together to form a small package.
- Brush each bite with beaten egg to create a golden, shiny finish when baked.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and puffed. The pastry should be cooked through with no doughy spots.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving to let the filling set slightly and avoid burning your mouth.
Notes
- For a more savory version, add a small piece of brie cheese alongside the cream cheese mixture.
- These bites can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated unbaked. Just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- The filling tends to expand during baking, so don’t overfill the dough pieces.
- For a festive touch, sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp them back up.