Festive, creamy, sweet-tart holiday appetizers
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are the ultimate quick-and-easy holiday treat—flaky, golden crescent dough wrapped around a creamy, sweet, and tangy cranberry filling. They look elegant on a party platter, yet take just minutes to assemble, making them perfect for busy hosts who want impressive appetizers without the stress. The warm cream cheese center paired with bright cranberry sauce creates a cozy, seasonal flavor that’s ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or even a simple weeknight snack. With minimal prep and maximum payoff, these festive bites are guaranteed to disappear fast!
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 16 bites
📝 Ingredients
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional, for brightness)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Medium mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Measuring spoons
- Small spoon or cookie scoop
- Knife or pizza cutter
- Cooling rack
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute).
- Cut the dough: Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles. Cut each triangle in half to make 16 smaller triangles.
- Add the filling: Place a small dollop (about ½ teaspoon) of cream cheese mixture in the center of each triangle. Top with ½ teaspoon cranberry sauce. 🍒
- Fold & seal: Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, pinching edges to seal so nothing leaks out while baking.
- Bake: Place bites on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
- Cool slightly: Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle a little extra cranberry sauce on top if you want a festive finish. ✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for crispiness.
- Add crunch: A sprinkle of chopped nuts inside adds a lovely texture contrast.
- Zesty upgrade: Orange zest or a tiny squeeze of orange juice brightens the entire flavor.
- Holiday platter win: Serve with rosemary sprigs for a gorgeous, wreath-like presentation.