Short, Catchy Intro:

So you want something sweet, flaky, and totally snackable without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone. Good news. These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are the perfect combo of creamy and tangy wrapped in golden flaky dough. They bake fast, vanish faster, and make you look like a culinary genius with zero stress. Grab the crescent rolls and a spoon and let the good vibes commence.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Seriously, what is not to love here? You get rich cream cheese, sweet whole cranberries, and puffed up crescent dough that practically begs to be eaten. It is idiot proof. Even if you mess up the rolling a little, they still taste amazing. They work as a quick breakfast, a party appetizer, or a snack you hide from roommates.

Want a dessert that hits the same sweet and creamy notes but goes in a salad bowl instead? Check out this fun creamy fruity dessert for inspiration. FYI these bites also play well with coffee and wine, depending on the hour and your life choices.

Quick win facts

• Minimal ingredients, max payoff.
• No fancy baking skills required.
• Make ahead, freeze, or make a ton and pretend you did it for the guests and not because you have zero self control.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, well-drained
• 1 large egg, beaten (optional, for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or coarse sparkling sugar (optional, for topping)

For the Optional Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (any type)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Yes, that is it. Keep the cream cheese at room temp for a happier life and smoother filling. Softened cream cheese is your best friend here.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling
   In a medium bowl, combine softened full-fat cream cheese, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth consistency.

2. Beat Filling Until Smooth
   Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the cream cheese mixture for 2-3 minutes until beautifully smooth, light, and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Fold in Cranberry Sauce
   Gently fold in the well-drained whole berry cranberry sauce. Distribute cranberries evenly without mashing, creating a beautiful swirl. Set aside.

4. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.

5. Unroll and Separate Crescent Dough
   Carefully unroll one can of crescent roll dough onto a clean surface. Separate the dough along perforations into 8 individual triangles. Repeat with the second can for a total of 16 triangles.

6. Fill Crescent Triangles
   Place a crescent dough triangle with the wide end closest to you. Spoon approximately one generous tablespoon of cranberry cream cheese filling onto the wide end, spreading evenly and leaving a 1/4 to 1/2-inch border to prevent leaking.

7. Roll Crescents
   Starting from the wide end, carefully roll up the crescent dough triangle towards the pointy tip, encasing the filling snugly. Place each rolled crescent bite onto the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down, allowing an inch or two between each for even baking.

8. Apply Egg Wash and Sugar (Optional)
   For a golden finish, whisk 1 large egg and lightly brush the tops and sides of each crescent. Optionally, sprinkle with granulated sugar or coarse sparkling sugar for extra crunch and sparkle.

9. Bake the Crescent Bites
   Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until puffed, wonderfully flaky, and golden-brown. Rotate baking sheets halfway through if baking two at once.

10. Cool Before Glazing
    Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set. Then, transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely or until just warm, which is ideal for glazing.

11. Prepare Optional Glaze
    In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency with more milk (to thin) or powdered sugar (to thicken) as needed.

12. Glaze and Serve
    Drizzle the glaze artfully over the warm or cooled crescent bites using a spoon, or gently dip the tops for a more substantial coating. Allow glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

13. Store Leftovers
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days; reheat gently in a microwave or oven for best results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven rookie mistake. Your crescents need hot air to puff properly.
• Using cold cream cheese. It makes filling lumpy and your mixer hate you. Always soften first.
• Overfilling the triangles. If you pack them like a burrito, you will get a cranberry lava situation. Leave a small border.
• Skipping parchment paper. Your baking sheet will judge you later when things stick.
• Getting distracted during the bake time. Peek once or twice but avoid oven door drama.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No crescent dough? Use puff pastry sheets. They puff up and feel a bit more bakery chic. IMO they are a tiny bit fancier.
• Want less sugar? Cut the granulated sugar in the filling to 2 tablespoons and taste. Cranberries add tartness so balance to your liking.
• No whole berry cranberry sauce? Use chopped fresh or thawed cranberries cooked with a little sugar until thick. Let cool before folding in.
• Dairy free? Use vegan cream cheese and plant milk for the glaze. The texture changes slightly but still tasty.
• Short on time? Make larger turnovers instead of 16 bites. Less rolling, same joy.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Can I make these ahead of time?
A. Yep. Assemble and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. You can also freeze unbaked bites on a tray then stash in a freezer bag for later. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Q. Can I use low fat cream cheese instead?
A. You can, but the texture and richness will drop a bit. Full fat gives the best creamy mouthfeel. Treat yourself for once.

Q. Do I have to use whole berry cranberry sauce?
A. No. You can use chopped cranberries or a smoother cranberry jam. Whole berries give texture and little pops of tartness which I personally love.

Q. What if my crescent bites leak while baking?
A. That means you overfilled them or rolled them too loosely. Next time leave a bigger border and press the seams gently to seal. Also place them seam-side down and they will cooperate.

Q. Can I skip the glaze?
A. Totally. They taste great without it, especially warm. The glaze just adds a pretty sweet finish and Instagram points.

Q. Can I double the recipe?
A. Go for it. Use two baking sheets and rotate them halfway through for even browning.

Q. How do I reheat leftovers?
A. Warm them gently in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes or zap in the microwave for 10-20 seconds if you are impatient.

Final Thoughts

You made it this far which means you either love cranberries or you love carbs. Both are excellent choices. These bites are fun to share, easier to hide, and flexible enough to fit into most snack missions. Pro tip serve them warm for max gooey satisfaction. Now go impress someone or just treat yourself. You deserve a small victory that tastes like a hug in pastry form.

Conclusion

If you want more variations or a similar easy crowd pleaser, take a peek at this version called Easy cream cheese cranberry crescent rolls for extra inspiration. For the classic tested version, here is the original Cranberry-Cream Cheese Crescent Bites Recipe that lines up with everything I just told you. Go bake something awesome and then eat it immediately.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 bites 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Sweet, flaky bites filled with rich cream cheese and tangy cranberry sauce, perfect for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, well-drained
• 1 large egg, beaten (optional, for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or coarse sparkling sugar (optional, for topping)
• For the Optional Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk (any type)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
2. Gently fold in the cranberry sauce.
3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Unroll and separate the crescent dough into 16 triangles.
5. Fill each triangle with a tablespoon of the cream cheese filling and roll them up.
6. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool before glazing with the optional mixture of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bite
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: cranberry, cream cheese, crescent roll, snack, appetizer, baking