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For Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites, you will need: - 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough - 4 oz cream cheese, softened - 1/4 cup canned whole cranberry sauce - 1 tablespoon honey - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) - Powdered sugar (for dusting) - Fresh thyme leaves (for garnish) These ingredients work well together to create a sweet and savory bite. You can easily swap some ingredients if needed: - Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for a lighter option. - If you want a sugar-free option, choose sugar-free cranberry sauce. - Maple syrup can replace honey for a different sweet flavor. - Use store-bought puff pastry if you cannot find crescent roll dough. These swaps keep the flavor while fitting your diet. Garnishes add a nice touch: - Fresh thyme leaves give a pop of color and flavor. - A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans adds crunch. - You can also use a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a gourmet touch. These garnishes make your bites look fancy and taste even better. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather all your ingredients. This will make cooking easier and more fun. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps keep your bites from sticking. Next, take a medium bowl. Add softened cream cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix these until smooth and creamy. Now, unroll the crescent roll dough. It comes in a can, so be careful when you pop it open. Separate the dough into triangles along the perforated lines. Each triangle is ready for filling. Spoon about a tablespoon of your cream cheese mix onto the wide end of each triangle. On top of that, add a small dollop of cranberry sauce. This adds a sweet and tart flavor. Roll the crescent dough from the wide end to the pointed end. Make sure to seal the filling inside. Place the rolled crescents on your prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each to allow for rising. Brush the tops with the beaten egg. This will give them a nice golden color when baked. Now, it’s time to bake! Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want them golden brown. Once they’re done, take them out of the oven. Let them cool slightly before serving. Before serving, dust your crescent bites with powdered sugar. This adds a lovely touch. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for color and flavor. It looks pretty and tastes great! These bites are perfect for holiday gatherings. Serve them warm for the best taste. Enjoy the smiles they bring to your table! To get golden crescents, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This hot oven helps the dough rise and brown well. Brush the tops with the beaten egg. This gives them a nice shine and color. Space them evenly on the baking sheet. This allows hot air to flow around each one. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning. They are done when they are a deep golden brown. The smell of baking crescents is simply amazing! You can play with flavors in many ways. Try adding a bit of orange zest to the cream cheese mix. This gives a bright taste that pairs well with cranberry. You can also use different jams. Raspberry or cherry jams work nicely too. If you like nuts, chop some walnuts or pecans. Sprinkle them on top of the cream cheese before rolling. This adds crunch and depth. Explore these ideas to keep your bites fresh and fun! You can make these bites ahead of time, which is great for busy days. Prepare the cream cheese filling and chill it. You can roll the crescents and freeze them before baking. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet first. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you want to bake them, no need to thaw. Just brush with egg and bake for a few extra minutes. This way, you have tasty bites ready when guests arrive! Pro Tips Use Cold Cream Cheese: For a smoother mixture, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing. This will help it blend easily with the other ingredients. Don't Overfill: Be mindful not to overfill the crescent rolls with the cream cheese mixture and cranberry sauce; otherwise, they may burst during baking. Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye on the bites in the oven, as baking times may vary by oven. Look for a golden brown color for the perfect finish. Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add other spices like nutmeg or swap the cranberry sauce for other fruit preserves to customize your bites! {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your bites easily. Instead of cream cheese, try goat cheese for a tangy twist. Swap out the canned cranberry sauce for homemade cranberry relish to brighten the taste. If you like a bit of heat, add a dash of jalapeño jelly on top of the cream cheese mix. You can even use different herbs, like rosemary or sage, to give your bites a unique touch. To make these bites vegetarian, keep the cream cheese and honey. For a vegan option, use vegan cream cheese and maple syrup instead of honey. You can also skip the egg wash, or replace it with a plant-based milk wash for color. These swaps keep the bites tasty while fitting different diets. These bites fit many occasions. For casual get-togethers, serve them warm on a platter. Add a bowl of cranberry sauce for dipping. If you're hosting a fancy dinner, arrange them on a tiered stand. Dust the tops with powdered sugar for a pretty touch. For holiday parties, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top for a festive look. These ideas make your Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites shine at any event! To store leftover Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites, place them in an airtight container. Make sure they cool completely before sealing. This helps keep them fresh and prevents sogginess. You can also wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. Reheating is easy! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bites on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 minutes. This warms them through and makes them crispy again. You can microwave them too, but they may get a bit soft. These bites are best fresh but can be frozen. If you want to freeze them, wrap each bite in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat as mentioned above for delicious results! Yes, you can use fresh cranberries. First, cook them with sugar and water. Simmer until they burst and thicken. This makes a great fresh sauce. Fresh sauce gives a bright taste and fun texture. You can also add spices for extra flavor. To make these bites gluten-free, swap the crescent roll dough. Use gluten-free dough from a store. Or, you can make your own if you like baking. Just follow the same steps as the regular dough. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty bites. These bites are perfect for many occasions. They shine at holiday parties. Serve them at family gatherings or potlucks. Their sweet and savory flavor fits any festive table. You can also enjoy them for brunch or casual get-togethers. Guests will love these little treats! This post covered ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for making delicious Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites. You learned about key ingredients, substitutions, and garnishes. I provided baking tips, serving ideas, and storage advice. These bites are versatile and great for many occasions. With a few simple changes, you can make them your own. Get ready to impress your guests with ease. Enjoy making these tasty treats!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites

Delicious bites of crescent dough filled with cream cheese and cranberry sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup canned whole cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
  • none Powdered sugar (for dusting)
  • none Fresh thyme leaves (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  • Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles along the perforations.
  • Spoon about a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Top with a small dollop of cranberry sauce.
  • Roll the crescent from the wide end to the pointed end, encasing the filling completely.
  • Place the rolled crescents on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
  • Brush the tops of each crescent with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for a touch of color and flavor.

Notes

Serve warm for the best flavor.
Keyword appetizer, cranberry, cream cheese, crescent rolls