Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites have a special place in my heart. Every Christmas, my grandma would spend hours in the kitchen baking up batches of these festive little treats. The aroma of warm, buttery crescent dough and tangy cranberries would fill the air, making my mouth water in anticipation. As soon as the first batch came out of the oven, I’d grab one before they even had a chance to cool, burning my tongue but not caring one bit.
The combination of the flaky crescent, the creamy cheesy filling, and the pop of tart cranberry was absolutely heavenly. My grandma would laugh and say, “Slow down, sweetie! There’s enough for everyone to enjoy.” But I just couldn’t resist. Those Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites were pure holiday magic in my eyes.
Now that I’m older, I love being able to carry on the tradition and make them myself. This recipe is not only a reminder of those cherished memories, but it’s also become a holiday staple that my own family adores. Trust me, once you try these Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites, they’ll become your new go-to as well!
Table of Contents
Why This Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The Secret Behind Perfect Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
This Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites recipe is a true holiday showstopper. Not only are they downright delicious, but they’re also incredibly easy to make. This recipe yields exactly 8 servings, with each serving being 1 perfectly portioned crescent bite. The secret is in the creamy, tangy filling and the flaky, buttery crescent dough that bakes up golden brown.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
- 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
Step-by-Step Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites Instructions
Preparing Your Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
This recipe takes 25 minutes total – 10 minutes for prep and 15 minutes for cooking. You’ll need a few simple tools, like a mixing bowl, a spoon, and a baking sheet. Let’s get started!
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until well combined. Fold in the chopped cranberries.
3. Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles. Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each triangle.
4. Tightly roll up each triangle, starting from the wide end. Place the rolled crescents seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown.
6. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Success
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Use dried cranberries, not fresh, for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Don’t overstuff the crescents, or they may ooze out during baking.
- Keep a close eye on them in the oven, as crescents can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly.
Serving and Storing Your Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
Perfect Pairings for Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are the perfect holiday appetizer or snack. Serve them alongside a festive cheese board, a warm cup of apple cider, or your favorite holiday punch. They also make a great addition to a holiday brunch or dessert spread. Remember, this recipe yields 8 servings, with each serving being 1 crescent bite.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but they can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, simply place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. For make-ahead convenience, you can assemble the crescents and refrigerate them, unbaked, for up to 24 hours. Then, bake them off when you’re ready to serve.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
Creative Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites Variations
While the classic Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are hard to beat, there are plenty of ways to put your own spin on them. Try adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for a crunchy twist. You could also swap the dried cranberries for other dried fruit, like cherries or apricots. For a festive touch, top the baked crescents with a drizzle of white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Making Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites Diet-Friendly
To make these Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites a bit more diet-friendly, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese and opt for a lower-calorie crescent dough. For a gluten-free version, swap the crescent dough for a gluten-free puff pastry or pie crust. And for a vegan take, use a plant-based cream cheese alternative and replace the egg wash with a plant-based milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A: While you can use fresh cranberries, the recipe works best with dried cranberries. Fresh cranberries can be quite tart and may make the filling too wet. Stick with the dried cranberries for the perfect balance of flavors.
Q: How many servings does this recipe make?
A: This recipe makes exactly 8 servings, with each serving being 1 crescent bite.
Q: Can I make the crescents ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can assemble the crescents in advance and refrigerate them, unbaked, for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake them off according to the instructions.
Q: What’s the best way to store any leftover Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites?
A: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the crescents on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
Q: My crescents didn’t turn out as flaky as I’d like. What did I do wrong?
A: Make sure you’re using a good quality crescent dough and that your oven is properly preheated. Overhandling the dough can also result in less-than-flaky crescents, so be gentle when rolling and shaping them.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
Buttery, flaky crescent rolls filled with a sweet and tangy cranberry-cream cheese mixture – the perfect holiday appetizer or snack!
Ingredients
– 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
– 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until well combined. Fold in the chopped cranberries.
3. 3. Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles. Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each triangle.
4. 4. Tightly roll up each triangle, starting from the wide end. Place the rolled crescents seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. 5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown.
6. 6. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a festive touch, sprinkle the baked crescents with powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Bites & Finger Foods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are a true holiday showstopper that will have your family and friends raving. With their irresistible combination of flaky, buttery crescent dough and creamy, tangy filling, they’re sure to become a new holiday tradition in your household. So why not give this recipe a try? I promise it will become your new go-to for any festive gathering. Don’t forget to let me know how they turn out in the comments below!
