Description
Delightfully easy and festive Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites perfect for holiday gatherings or snacks. Flaky crescent dough cups filled with smooth, sweet cream cheese filling and topped with tangy whole berry cranberry sauce, optionally garnished with chopped pecans or zesty orange peel for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Crescent Dough
- 1 can (8-count) crescent roll dough
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- Optional: chopped pecans or orange zest for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a mini muffin tin to prevent sticking and make clean-up easier.
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Shape Crescent Cups: Unroll the crescent roll dough and cut each triangle in half to create smaller pieces. Press each smaller triangle firmly into the muffin cups to form miniature dough shells that will hold the filling.
- Fill the Cups: Spoon approximately one teaspoon of the cream cheese filling into each crescent dough cup, spreading gently but leaving room on top for the cranberry sauce.
- Add Cranberry Sauce and Toppings: Top each filled cup with about one teaspoon of whole berry cranberry sauce. For added texture and flavor, sprinkle with chopped pecans or a pinch of orange zest if desired.
- 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: Allow the cranberry cream cheese bites to cool slightly in the pan before removing and serving, ensuring the filling sets and makes them easier to handle.
Notes
- You can make these a day ahead and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator; warm slightly before serving.
- For a nut-free version, omit the chopped pecans.
- Orange zest adds a bright citrus note that complements the sweetness and tartness.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Mini muffin tins are perfect for shaping and portioning these bites.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry bite, cream cheese appetizer, crescent roll recipe, holiday appetizer, mini bites, festive snacks
