Imagine pulling warm, golden-brown pastries from the oven—flaky, buttery, and bursting with irresistible fillings. Whether you're planning a cozy breakfast, a show-stopping appetizer, or a decadent dessert, Filled Crescent Roll Recipe are your secret weapon for effortless, delicious meals.
As a seasoned home cook with years of experience perfecting these pastries, I’ll guide you through my best filling combinations, pro baking tips, and time-saving shortcuts to make these treats foolproof. Whether you're hosting guests or whipping up a quick family favorite, these stuffed crescent rolls will soon become your go-to filled crescent roll recipe . Let’s get baking!
Why Filled Crescent Rolls Are So Popular
Few ingredients are as effortlessly versatile as crescent rolls. These golden, flaky pastries have earned their place as a home-cooking staple, and for good reason:
Endless versatility – Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert
Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes
Customizable – Adaptable for even the pickiest eaters
Great for leftovers – A delicious way to repurpose ingredients
Meal-prep friendly – Freezer-friendly for make-ahead convenience
Fun for all ages – A kid-friendly baking activity
Originally inspired by French croissants, filled crescent roll recipe have been simplified into the convenient ready-to-use dough we rely on today. While homemade versions are always an option, store-bought crescent roll dough makes it possible to create bakery-worthy treats—even on the busiest weeknights.
Let’s explore all the delicious ways you can elevate these flaky, buttery pastries!
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Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough
- Egg (for egg wash, optional but creates a golden finish)
- Water (for egg wash)
- Cooking spray or parchment paper
Savory Filling :
- Cream cheese, softened
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack)
- Cooked and crumbled bacon or ham
- Chopped green onions
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Sweet Filling Options:
- Cream cheese, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh berries or diced fruit
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts
- Cinnamon sugar mixture
The beauty of filled crescent roll recipe their flexibility. Don't have cream cheese? Ricotta or cottage cheese works too. No fresh fruit? Use jam or preserves instead. The filled crescent roll recipe adapts to what you have on hand.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preparing the Workspace
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare your fillings before opening the crescent dough (keep dough refrigerated until ready to use).
- For savory fillings: mix softened cream cheese with shredded cheese, seasonings, and add-ins like bacon or ham.
- For sweet fillings: blend cream cheese with sugar and vanilla, then fold in fruit or chocolate chips.
Fill and Shape
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles along the perforations.
- Place 1-2 tablespoons of filling on the wide end of each triangle.
- Roll up from the wide end to the pointed tip, then gently curve into a crescent shape.
- Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart, brush with egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon water), and add any desired toppings.
Bake and Serve
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- For sweet versions, add a simple glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tablespoons milk) if desired.
- Preparing : Preheat the oven, set up your baking sheet, and prepare the fillings before opening the dough.
- Filling and Shaping: Place the filling on the wide end and roll tightly towards the pointed tip.
- Baking: Bake until golden brown, let them cool for a few minutes, and serve warm.
Equipment For Filled Crescent Roll Recipe
While filled crescent roll recipe don't require special equipment, these tools make preparation easier:
- Medium cookie scoop for consistent filling amounts
- Silicone baking mats for easy cleanup
- Pastry brush for egg wash application
- Rolling pin (if you're making homemade dough)
- Parchment paper
A simple baking sheet is all you really need, but if you're making sweet versions regularly, consider investing in a good quality non-stick pan with edges to catch any filling that might bubble over.
Variations Filled Crescent Roll Recipe
Savory Filled Crescent Roll Recipes
1. Cheesy Garlic Crescent Rolls
Mix 1 cup shredded mozzarella with 2 tablespoons softened butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon Italian herbs. Spread on crescents, roll up, and brush with garlic butter before baking.
2. Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll-Ups
Layer thin slices of ham and Swiss cheese on each triangle, add a small amount of Dijon mustard, roll up, and bake until golden.
3. Pizza Crescent Pockets
Spread 1 teaspoon pizza sauce on each triangle, top with pepperoni and mozzarella, fold in the sides, then roll up to create a sealed pocket.
4. Buffalo Chicken Crescents
Mix 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken with 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce and ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles. Fill, roll, and serve with ranch dressing.
5. Spinach Artichoke Crescents
Combine ½ cup thawed, drained frozen spinach with ¼ cup chopped artichoke hearts, ½ cup cream cheese, and ¼ cup parmesan. Fill and roll.
6. Taco Crescent Rings
Arrange triangles in a star pattern, fill the base with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and toppings, fold points over filling, and bake as a ring.
7. Philly Cheesesteak Rolls
Sauté thinly sliced steak with onions and peppers, top dough with provolone cheese and the steak mixture, then roll up.
Sweet Filled Crescent Roll Recipes
8. Cinnamon Rolls from Crescent Rolls
Spread butter on each triangle, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, roll up, and bake. Drizzle with simple powdered sugar glaze while warm.
9. Pecan Rolls with Crescent Rolls
Spread triangles with butter, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Roll up, place in a buttered dish with more brown sugar and pecans on the bottom.
10. Apple Crescent Rolls Dessert
Place a thin slice of apple on each triangle, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, roll up, brush with butter, and bake until golden.
11. Cheesecake Crescent Rolls
Mix 8 oz cream cheese with ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread on triangles, add a small amount of fruit preserves, roll up, and bake.
12. Chocolate Hazelnut Crescents
Spread 1 tablespoon chocolate hazelnut spread on each triangle, roll up, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake.
13. Blueberry Lemon Crescents
Mix ¼ cup cream cheese with 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon sugar. Spread on triangles, top with fresh blueberries, roll up, and bake.
14. Pumpkin Pie Crescents
Mix ½ cup pumpkin puree with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Fill crescents, roll up, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
15. S'mores Crescents
Place a small piece of chocolate and a mini marshmallow on each triangle, roll up, brush with butter, and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs before baking.
Dietary Modifications
Low Carb Crescent Rolls:
While traditional crescent dough is high in carbs, you can make a lower-carb version using fathead dough (a mixture of mozzarella, cream cheese, almond flour, and eggs). Fill and bake as you would regular crescents.
Gluten-Free Option:
Look for gluten-free crescent roll dough at specialty grocery stores, or make your own using a gluten-free flour blend with added xanthan gum for structure.
Vegan Variation:
Several brands now offer plant-based crescent roll dough. Fill with dairy-free cream cheese, vegan cheese alternatives, or fruit fillings.
Pro Tips for the Best Filled Crescent Rolls
Keep Your Dough Cold
Refrigerated dough works best when it's cold. If it gets too warm while you're working with it, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
Don't Overfill
It's tempting to load up on fillings, but 1-2 tablespoons is the sweet spot. Too much filling will leak out during baking.
Seal Properly
For very moist fillings, pinch the edges of the dough together to create a good seal before rolling.
Watch the Bake Time Carefully
Because of their high butter content, crescent rolls can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly. Start checking at the 10-minute mark.
Line Your Baking Sheet
Cheese and sweet fillings can leak and stick. Always use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator Storage:
- Baked filled crescent roll recipe will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
Freezer Instructions:
- Unbaked: Prepare and shape filled crescents, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the bake time.
- Baked: Cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.
My Grandmother’s Secret Touch: The Perfect Filled Crescent Roll Recipe
There was something special about the way my grandmother baked—every filled crescent roll recipe carried a little extra love, a small but meaningful step that transformed something simple into something unforgettable. When it came to her famous filled crescent roll recipe , her secret touch was patience—chilling the filled, shaped pastries for 15 to 20 minutes before baking. She always said, "Good things take time, and the best layers need a little rest." I never understood why until I started baking on my own. That brief chill allowed the butter in the dough to firm up, creating the most delicate, flaky layers with a golden, irresistible rise in the oven. It’s such a small step, yet it makes all the difference—one that I still swear by today. Try it once, and you’ll see why this tiny tradition is worth keeping.
FAQ
Can I use crescent rolls instead of puff pastry?
Yes, you can substitute crescent rolls for puff pastry in many recipes. While crescent dough contains more fat and has a slightly different texture, it creates similar flaky layers. filled crescent roll recipe
work especially well for turnovers, appetizer wraps, and sweet pastries. For best results, press perforations together before using as a sheet and reduce baking temperature by 25°F.
How to make cheese stuffed crescent rolls?
To make cheese stuffed crescent rolls, separate triangles from refrigerated dough and place 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack) on the wide end of each. Add optional extras like herbs, garlic powder, or bacon bits. Roll up starting from the wide end, curve into crescent shape, and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melty.
What is the difference between a crescent roll and a croissant?
Crescent rolls and croissants differ mainly in preparation and ingredients. Croissants are made with a yeast-leavened laminated dough that's repeatedly folded with butter, creating many distinct layers. filled crescent roll recipe use a simpler dough with baking powder as leavening and have fewer layers. Croissants are more buttery and flaky, while crescent rolls have a softer, more bread-like texture.
Is Pillsbury Crescent dough Sheet the same as puff pastry?
No, Pillsbury Crescent dough sheet isn't the same as puff pastry. While both produce flaky results, puff pastry contains more butter folded in multiple layers, creating exceptional rise and flakiness. Crescent dough contains more fat in the dough itself and includes leavening agents. Crescent dough is softer, slightly sweeter, and easier to handle at room temperature than true puff pastry.
Flaky, Buttery, and Unforgettable: Your New Go-To Crescent Roll Recipe
From cheesy garlic filled crescent roll recipe that steal the show on game day to sweet cinnamon-filled pastries perfect for Sunday brunch, these buttery, flaky delights prove that the simplest ingredients can create something truly magical. Whether you're whipping up ham and cheese roll-ups for lunchboxes or experimenting with new flavors, this recipe offers endless possibilities—making every bite a delicious surprise.
But why stop here? If you love the pillowy softness of filled crescent roll recipe , you’ll also enjoy baking The Perfect Honey White Bread Recipe for an ultra-tender, homemade loaf or trying your hand at Soft French Baguettes for a crusty, bakery-style experience. Each recipe brings its own charm to your kitchen, just like these Filled Crescent Roll Recipe have done today.
Give this recipe a try for your next gathering or a quick weeknight meal, and don’t forget to share your favorite filling combinations in the comments below! Your perfect filled crescent roll recipe creation might just inspire someone else’s next baking adventure. Happy baking!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Filled Crescent Roll Recipe
Filled Crescent Roll Recipe
Equipment
- Baking sheet Lined with parchment paper
- Small bowl For egg wash
- Pastry brush To apply egg wash
- Mixing bowl For filling
- Spoon To add filling to dough
- Oven Preheated to 375°F (190°C)
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tubes Crescent roll dough 8 rolls per tube
- 1 large Egg For egg wash
- 1 tablespoon Water Mixed with egg for egg wash
Savory Filling
- 8 oz Cream cheese Softened
- 1 cup Shredded cheese Cheddar mozzarella, or pepper jack
- ½ cup Bacon or ham Cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup Green onions Chopped
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder For flavor
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning Optional
- To taste — Salt and pepper Adjust to preference
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, bacon, and seasonings.
- Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles.
- Place 1-2 tablespoon of filling on the wide end of each triangle.
- Roll from the wide end to the tip and shape into crescents.
- Place on a baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
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