Cranberry Cheese Bites

Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites

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Cranberry Cheese Bites are the ultimate holiday treat that blends creamy sweetness with tangy cranberry flavor in a flaky crescent roll. I first made them for a Thanksgiving brunch, and they instantly became the favorite on the table. These bites are kid friendly appetizers Thanksgiving gatherings always welcome, and they work just as well for Friendsgiving or casual fall get-togethers. If you need fall recipes potluck ideas that stand out, this recipe is simple yet festive enough to impress every guest.

Cranberry Cheese Bites
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites b1511bded1034ff3b7a8dd5742d0d6e1Callie Brooks

Cranberry Cheese Bites

These festive Cranberry Cheese Bites are creamy, tangy, and wrapped in golden crescent dough — the perfect quick appetizer for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any fall gathering.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 bites
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 oz refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1/2 cup whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce
  • powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • hand mixer or whisk
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • measuring spoons

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Beat softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  3. Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
  4. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on the wide end of each triangle.
  5. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce on top.
  6. Roll up each crescent triangle from the wide end to the tip.
  7. Place crescents on the baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 45mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.9mg

Notes

Try adding orange zest to the filling for a citrusy twist, or swap cranberry for raspberry preserves. To make them ahead, chill the unbaked bites and bake just before serving. Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

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Why You Will Love Cranberry Cheese Bites

Cranberry cheese bites combine soft cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar with tart cranberry sauce for a perfectly balanced filling. Wrapped in crescent roll dough and baked until golden, they are ready in less than 20 minutes. They make holiday food Thanksgiving parties more fun and are one of the easiest Thanksgiving appetizers with cranberry to prepare. Guests love them as fall finger foods for a crowd because they are portable, bite sized, and beautifully seasonal.

Ingredients for Cranberry Cheese Bites

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce or jellied cranberry sauce
  • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Substitution Ideas

  • Use low fat cream cheese for a lighter version.
  • Swap cranberry sauce for raspberry preserves or cherry jam for a fruity twist.
  • Add orange zest to the cream cheese mixture for a citrus holiday sparkle.

How to Make Cranberry Cheese Bites Step by Step

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Beat softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  3. Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
  4. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on the wide end of each triangle.
  5. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce on top.
  6. Roll up each crescent triangle from the wide end to the tip.
  7. Place crescents on the baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar if desired.

How to Serve Cranberry Cheese Bites

Cranberry cheese bites fit perfectly on a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table. They are one of the best savory appetizers easy make ahead and can be served warm with coffee, cider, or mulled wine. Arrange them on a platter with fresh cranberries for a festive touch. They are also great as cute fall appetizers to add color and variety to dessert boards or appetizer trays.

How to Perfect Your Cranberry Cheese Bites

  • Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth filling.
  • Do not overfill with cranberry sauce to prevent leakage.
  • Brush the tops with an egg wash before baking for extra shine.
  • Chill assembled crescents for ten minutes before baking to keep them extra flaky.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Cold cream cheese creates lumpy filling.
  • Overbaking dries out the crescent rolls.
  • Loose rolling causes cranberry filling to spill out.

Storage and Reheating Tips

  • Store baked cranberry cheese bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
  • Reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for five minutes to keep the pastry crisp.
  • Freeze unbaked bites on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding three to five extra minutes.

Conclusion

Cranberry cheese bites are the perfect Thanksgiving appetizers with cranberry for Friendsgiving, potlucks, and holiday food Thanksgiving spreads. From fall finger foods for a crowd to cute fall appetizers that make your table shine, these little pastries are always a hit. Save this recipe for your next gathering and watch them disappear within minutes.

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