Need a quick dessert without a lot of fuss? Crescent rolls are your shortcut to flaky, buttery treats that feel homemade and taste amazing. With a can of dough and a few pantry staples, you can whip up anything from warm apple pockets to creamy cheesecake bites.
These recipes are fast, flexible, and perfect for surprise guests, busy weeknights, or when that sweet tooth hits. If you can unroll dough and use a spoon, you’re set. Let’s make dessert the simplest part of your day.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- Fast and forgiving: Most recipes bake in 10–15 minutes and don’t require special tools.
- Endless variety: One can of dough turns into 12 totally different desserts.
- Pantry-friendly: Uses simple ingredients like jam, chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, and cream cheese.
- Kid- and crowd-approved: Familiar flavors with a fun, bakery-style finish.
- Make-ahead friendly: Many are great at room temperature or reheated the next day.
Shopping List
- Crescent roll dough: 3–4 cans (8-count each), original style
- Fruits and fillings: Apples (fresh or canned pie filling), strawberries, blueberries, bananas, lemon curd, canned pineapple tidbits
- Spreads and sweets: Nutella, peanut butter, fruit jam/preserves, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows
- Creamy elements: Cream cheese, mascarpone (optional), sweetened condensed milk (optional), vanilla yogurt (optional)
- Flavor boosters: Cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, cocoa powder
- Glazes and toppings: Powdered sugar, milk or cream, honey, maple syrup, melted butter, coarse sugar, shredded coconut, chopped nuts
- Extras for variety: Pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, pecans or walnuts, almond extract, sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below are 12 easy crescent roll desserts.
Each one makes 8 pieces per can of dough.
- Classic Cinnamon Sugar Crescents
- Mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Brush dough triangles with melted butter.
- Sprinkle generously, roll up from wide end, and place on a lined sheet.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes. Brush with more butter and sprinkle extra sugar if you like.
- Apple Pie Pockets
- Toss thin apple slices with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Place apples on the wide end, fold sides in, and roll to seal.
Optional: add a caramel drizzle inside.
- Bake 12–14 minutes until golden. Dust with powdered sugar.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls
- Beat 4 oz softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
- Spread a teaspoon on each triangle, add a small spoon of strawberry jam, and roll.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Drizzle with a quick glaze (powdered sugar + milk).
- Nutella Banana Bites
- Spread Nutella on each triangle.
Add 1–2 banana slices near the wide end.
- Roll, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Finish with a light dust of cocoa powder.
- Spread Nutella on each triangle.
- S’mores Crescents
- Add a few mini marshmallows and chocolate chips to each triangle.
- Roll tightly and pinch seams so marshmallows don’t escape.
- Bake 10–11 minutes. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle crushed grahams.
- Lemon Curd Twists
- Unroll dough and press seams to form rectangles.
Spread thin layer of lemon curd.
- Fold in half, cut into strips, twist each strip, and place on sheet.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Glaze with powdered sugar, lemon zest, and a splash of milk.
- Unroll dough and press seams to form rectangles.
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish Bites
- Mix 4 oz cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
- Place 1 teaspoon cream cheese and a few blueberries on each triangle. Fold corners in and roll.
- Bake 11–13 minutes.
Brush with a little warm jam for shine.
- Caramel Pecan Crescents
- Sprinkle chopped pecans and a drizzle of caramel sauce near the wide end.
- Roll and pinch ends. Brush with butter and a little brown sugar.
- Bake 11–13 minutes. Finish with a tiny extra caramel drizzle and sea salt.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Twirls
- Press seams to make rectangles.
Spread a thin layer of Nutella and a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts.
- Fold, slice into strips, twist, and bake 10–12 minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.
- Press seams to make rectangles.
- Pineapple Coconut Crescents
- Pat pineapple tidbits dry. Mix with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 tablespoon shredded coconut.
- Place a spoonful on each triangle, roll, and seal well.
- Bake 11–13 minutes. Brush with honey for a glossy finish.
- Pumpkin Spice Roll-Ups
- Stir 1/3 cup pumpkin puree with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Spread a thin layer on each triangle, roll, and brush tops with melted butter.
- Bake 11–13 minutes.
Glaze with maple syrup mixed into powdered sugar.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Crescents
- Spread a thin layer of peanut butter and a small dollop of jelly near the wide end.
- Roll carefully to avoid leaks and pinch seams.
- Bake 10–12 minutes. Optional: drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Keep most crescent desserts in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
- Refrigerate: Cheesecake-style or cream cheese fillings last 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp. Avoid microwaving if you can—it softens the dough.
- Freeze: Cool completely, wrap individually, and freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat from frozen at 325°F (165°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Zero stress: Minimal prep, simple steps, and quick clean-up.
- Customizable: Adjust sweetness, add spices, or swap fillings based on what you have.
- Great for sharing: Handheld size makes them perfect for parties, school events, or potlucks.
- Budget-friendly: Uses inexpensive ingredients to make bakery-style treats.
What Not to Do
- Don’t overfill: Too much filling causes leaks and soggy bottoms.
- Don’t skip sealing seams: Pinch edges and seams to keep gooey fillings inside.
- Don’t underbake: Pale dough tastes raw. Look for deep golden edges.
- Don’t crowd the pan: Give rolls space so they puff and brown evenly.
- Don’t add wet fruit unprepped: Pat juicy fruit dry to avoid excess moisture.
Variations You Can Try
- Almond Joy Style: Coconut, chocolate chips, and chopped almonds inside; drizzle with chocolate.
- Raspberry Almond: Raspberry jam with a drop of almond extract; top with sliced almonds.
- Mocha Crescents: Mix cocoa powder and a pinch of instant espresso with sugar; finish with chocolate glaze.
- Tiramisu Twists: Mascarpone sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla; dust with cocoa after baking.
- Orange Cream: Cream cheese with orange zest and a touch of honey; drizzle with orange glaze.
FAQ
Can I use homemade crescent dough?
Yes, but store-bought dough keeps this fast and consistent. If using homemade, roll thin and keep it cold so it bakes flaky.
How do I keep fillings from leaking?
Use small amounts, keep fillings in the center, and pinch seams firmly.
Chilling assembled rolls for 10 minutes before baking also helps.
What if I only have puff pastry?
You can swap it. Cut into triangles or rectangles, add fillings, and bake at 400°F (205°C) until puffed and golden. Texture will be lighter and flakier.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes.
Assemble, cover, and refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Bake just before serving. For crispness, avoid juicy fillings until the last minute.
How do I know they’re done?
Look for deep golden color, dry-looking seams, and a slightly firm feel.
If unsure, add 1–2 more minutes.
Are these good for kids to help with?
Absolutely. Kids can spread fillings, sprinkle toppings, and roll the dough. Just supervise near the oven and with sticky fillings.
What glaze works with most flavors?
A simple mix of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Start with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and add milk a teaspoon at a time until pourable.
In Conclusion
Crescent rolls are a fast track to warm, flaky desserts with almost no effort. With these 12 ideas, you can go classic, fruity, chocolatey, or creamy—whatever fits the moment. Keep a can of dough in the fridge and a few sweet staples on hand, and dessert is always minutes away.
Simple, reliable, and delicious every time.