These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are a perfect mix of sweet and creamy! Soft, flaky dough hugs a delicious filling of tangy cranberries and smooth cream cheese.
They make a fantastic treat for breakfast or as a snack. Honestly, I can’t resist them fresh out of the oven! Warm and gooey, they’re just too good to share—oops! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crescent Roll Dough: This is the base of the recipe. If you can’t find crescent roll dough, puff pastry can be a good substitute though the texture will differ a bit.
Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. Neufchâtel is a lighter alternative. You could also try mascarpone for a creamier result.
Cranberry Sauce: I like using homemade cranberry sauce for a fresher taste. However, store-bought works great too! You can substitute it with raspberry or cherry jam if cranberries aren’t available.
Granulated Sugar: For a little twist, consider using brown sugar instead. It adds a hint of caramel flavor.
How Do I Roll Crescent Rolls Properly?
Rolling the crescent rolls correctly helps keep all that delicious filling tucked inside! Here’s how to do it right:
- Pinch the seams of the dough to ensure they are sealed.
- Start rolling from the wide end towards the tip, keeping the filling in the center.
- Gently stretch the dough as you roll to get a nice tight shape, but be careful not to tear it.
- Place the pointed end underneath the roll to help it keep its shape while baking.
Practice makes perfect, and don’t be hard on yourself if they don’t look perfect. The deliciousness will shine through anyway!
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 (8-ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce or cranberry jam
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and about 15 minutes to bake. So, in total, you’ll spend around 25 minutes making these delicious rolls. Perfect for a quick snack or breakfast treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your rolls bake evenly. While the oven heats up, you can prep the baking sheet.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, use a spatula or a mixer to combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will be the luscious filling for your rolls!
3. Prepare the Crescent Dough:
Unroll the crescent roll dough carefully. You’ll see that it’s already divided into triangles. Lay them out on a flat surface, ready for filling.
4. Fill the Dough:
Take about 1 teaspoon of your cream cheese mixture and spread it onto the wide end of each triangle. Follow it with another teaspoon of cranberry sauce or jam. The combination of cream cheese and cranberry is simply delightful!
5. Roll Them Up:
Now, carefully roll up each triangle starting from the wide end up to the point. Make sure to keep the filling inside as you roll. Pinch the edges slightly to seal, which helps keep the filling from leaking out during baking.
6. Arrange on Baking Sheet:
Place each rolled crescent on your lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each roll to allow them to puff up. This will help them bake nicely without sticking together.
7. Brush and Sprinkle:
Take your melted butter and brush it over the tops of the rolls. If you’d like a little sparkle and crunch, sprinkle some coarse sugar on top. It adds a lovely texture!
8. Bake:
Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed. The smell will be incredible!
9. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. You can enjoy them warm or at room temperature—either way, they’re so tasty!
Now, dig in and enjoy the wonderful combination of flavors in your Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls! 😋
Can I Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Leftover cranberry sauce from holiday meals is perfect for this recipe. Just make sure it’s not too watery, as thick sauce or jam yields the best results.
Can I Freeze These Crescent Rolls?
Yes, you can freeze the filled but unbaked crescent rolls! Simply roll them up, place them on a baking sheet to freeze briefly, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, just add a few minutes to the cooking time from frozen.
What Should I Do If My Cream Cheese Mixture Is Too Thick?
If your cream cheese mixture feels too thick, try mixing in a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up. This will make it easier to spread and help it blend more smoothly with the cranberry sauce.
How Do I Know When They’re Done Baking?
The rolls are done when they are golden brown on top and nicely puffed. You can also check by gently lifting one; if the bottom is golden and cooked through, they’re ready to enjoy!