Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites Recipe
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are a delightful holiday appetizer or sweet snack, combining flaky crescent roll dough with a creamy, tangy cream cheese filling and vibrant whole berry cranberry sauce. Topped optionally with chopped pecans or orange zest, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors and a crisp, golden finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crescent Dough
- 1 can crescent roll dough (8-count)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Filling and Toppings
- ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- Optional: chopped pecans for topping
- Optional: orange zest for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a mini muffin tin by greasing it lightly or lining with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare Dough Cups: Unroll the crescent roll dough and cut each triangle in half to make smaller pieces. Press each half-triangle into the wells of the mini muffin tin, forming small dough cups.
- Fill the Cups: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of each dough cup. Then, add 1 teaspoon of the whole berry cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese filling.
- Add Toppings: If desired, top each filled cup with chopped pecans or a sprinkle of orange zest to add texture and enhance flavor.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bites from the oven and let them cool slightly in the tin before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature to ensure a smooth filling.
- For a sharper citrus flavor, use fresh orange zest rather than dried.
- These bites can be prepared a few hours ahead and warmed up slightly before serving.
- Substitute chopped walnuts or almonds for pecans if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: cranberry, cream cheese, crescent roll, appetizer, holiday snack, mini bites, baked, crescent dough
